Pubs were dealt a further blow today (July 28) as the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) reported beers sales were down 4.5% this quarter, compared with the same quarter last year.
Read more...Tim Atkin MW is weighing up the recent heavyweight tasting bout between the "quintessential pinstriped Englishman" Michael Broadbent and the "slightly vulgar American" Robert Parker. Bordeaux provided the battle ground with Broadbent favouring "reds with higher acidity, subtle oak and more tannin" while Parker prefers "big, plush, ripely textured numbers with lots of new wood". What did Atkins ultimately feel of Parker and Broadbent's tasting notes? "Much to my surprise, I found myself agreeing with the former far more often than the latter."
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Brand Independence Ltd is pleased to announce the appointment of Tiger Beer UK as exclusive UK distributors for their premium Baltic beer 'Viru'.
Read more...The board of Tapanappa Wines has appointed Xavier Bizot as general manager.
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Nigel Dolan, the award winning winemaker, has joined Wyndham Estate as chief winemaker.
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Auchentoshan Whisky has spearheaded its £0.5m brand investment with a newly launched website.
Read more...This year's Wines of Argentina trade tasting is looking to cater for as broad as spectrum of visitors as possible, according to the trade body's UK director.
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Wine & spirits website Harpers.co.uk has relaunched as TalkingDrinks.com.
Read more...Jancis Robinson MW has "become increasingly aware of a new phenomenon in a worrying proportion of red wine". Although such wines smell of opulence they often leave her "palate feeling as though it has been energetically scoured by sandpaper". A number of theories are ventured to explain the syndrome but Robinson ominously rounds up "it would seem that there is no shortage of sandpaper beyond the grave".
Read more...The 2007 Viognier Stamford Brook (£5.99, Australia) is a "hugely fruity white, bursting with ripe peach," says Susy Atkins. Her second choice is the 2005 Botrytis Semillon (£5.99, Tesco) which has a "rich jamminess". "Botrytis is also known as 'noble rot', which I realise sounds horrid," admits Atkins, but readers should pursue both recommendations as long as they are chilled well before serving.
Read more...Joanna Simon turns her attention to the Castel/Oddbins/Nicolas saga in her column this week. However she remains unconvinced by some of the ramifications of the takeover. "All French wines are now bought by Nicolas in Paris. This may sound sensible, but the effect has been depressing," she laments. Ignoring French offerings, Simon highlights the 2007 Pinot Grigio Red Hill Estate (£9.99, Oddbins) for its "lively, appley, nutty and mineral" notes.
Read more...In these times of credit woe we should take note that Aldi has taken the "discount mantle" from Kwik Save, says Anthony Rose. "Aldi's low wine prices are all the more remarkable, given that the euro is so strong and the government now takes £1.72 in tax on every bottle of wine," he adds. The 2007 Chardonnay Torrontes Tierra del Sol (£3.49) "would not disgrace the dinner table" while Aldi's flush shoppers might want to try the 2007 Latuilière Sancerre (£8.99) which "offers the requisite herbaceous quality to customers in search of a treat".
Read more..."France, for all its failings, continues to set the standards for global fine wine production," Jane MacQuitty explains. This was her response to a "Gallic-wine-hating reader" who complained that MacQuitty's pages were full of endless plugs for French wine. Particular current favourites include the "celery-scented style" 2007 Vin de Pays Cuvée Pêcheur (£3.69, Waitrose) and the 2005 Moulin à Vent, La Roche-Vineuse (£13.95, Berry Bros & Rudd).
Read more...Tim Atkin MW is back from his several-week hiatus and he is in a combative mood. "Castel's ownership of Oddbins has been a disaster," he rages, and the recent press tasting has done little to allay his fears. Atkin's main bone of contention seems to be Alain Favereau, a Castel buyer, who "has no understanding whatsoever of what UK consumers (and wine writers) like to drink". Thankfully there are "one or two decent wines" remaining. As examples, he chooses the "herbal, aromatic, multi-dimensional blend" 2007 De Grendel Winifred (£9.59, Oddbins) and the 2006 Sauvignon Blanc Matahiwi Holly (£10.99, Oddbins) with its "remarkable complexity".
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Double digit growth for several of Pernod Ricard's key brands, particularly its premium spirits portfolio, has boosted full-year sales figures.
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PLB's Beer Division has won new listings in Sainsbury's and Booker C&C for Summer Lightning - the Premium Bottled Ale from Hop Back Brewery, which is represented by PLB in the Off-Trade.
Pernod Ricard's purchase of Vin & Sprit (V&S), the company that sells Absolut Vodka, has been completed.
Read more...Russian Standard Vodka has announced the official launch of its Russian Standard Original brand in Taiwan.
Read more...Guala Closures Group has entered into a sponsorship programme with the International Screwcap Initiative (ISI).
Read more...English wine should be "top of your list if you're feeling even faintly patriotic," Joanna Simon feels. "Quality across the board has been rising steadily," she adds, but consumers can expect to pay for the experience. The 2006 Bacchus Reserve Chapel Down (12.99, Selfridges) is a "delicious, tangy, floral, passion fruit-flavoured" wine.
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