Premium wine and web sales boost Majestic profits

UK wine retailer Majestic has posted an 11% increase in profits on last year with premium wine sales and web business driving the boom.

Hail destroys half of Cote Rotie

A violent hail storm has destroyed over half of the Cote Rotie harvest with nearly total destruction of fruit on the vines in some vineyards.

Top Bordeaux 2006 to release wines after Vinexpo

Prolonging an already pedestrian En Primeur campaign, top Bordeaux chateaux will not be releasing their 2006 prices until after Vinexpo, decanter.com understands.

Hospices de Beaune sign with Christie’s until 2010

The directors of the annual Hospices de Beaune auction have signed a deal with Christie’s for the auction house to continue running its sales until 2010.

Broadbent takes WSET post

Veteran taster and Decanter columnist Michael Broadbent MW has been appointed Honorary President of the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET).

English wine neglected by consumers says survey

As English wine week draws to a close it has emerged that UK consumers know and drink very little when it comes to wine produced in their own country.

Controversial EU commissioner cancels trip to south of France

EU agriculture commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel has cancelled a peacemaking trip to the Languedoc after being told to remain in Brussels, it has emerged.

Mondavi exposé ‘painful and sad’

A new book charting the history of Napa doyens the Mondavis is set to cause a storm on its release next month – so much so that no review copies are being distributed.

'Correct' Barton release price has merchants worried

Allocations of Chateau Leoville-Barton were released today with its price prompting both fear and understanding among UK wine merchants.

Deaths not ruled out in CRAV ultimatum to Sarkozy

The activist wine group CRAV has issued a one-month ultimatum to Nicolas Sarkozy threatening ‘action’, and possibly deaths, if the new premier does not help the struggling southern French wine industry.

Paris Hilton to be new face of Bordeaux

American heiress Paris Hilton will be the new face of Bordeaux wines, decanter.com can reveal.

English producer premiers vineyard insurance scheme

Top English sparkling wine producer Nyetimber has become the first estate to adopt a specialist insurance policy covering its wine ‘from grape to glass’.

UK merchant calls for massive 2006 Bordeaux price cuts

The director of UK wine merchant BBR has called for Bordeaux chateaux to cut their prices by 70% citing ‘major concerns’ prior to this year’s En Primeur.

Man charged over California wine blaze

US prosecutors have charged a Californian man with embezzlement and arson following a warehouse fire that destroyed US$300m dollars of wine.

Michelin to publish Tokyo guide

The first ever Tokyo edition of the Michelin restaurant guide will go on sale in November, the publishers announced today.

Nyetimber to rival UK’s largest vineyard

English sparkling wine producer Nyetimber will rival Denbies as the UK’s largest wine producer, it was revealed today.

Sarkozy: I will relax wine advertising regulations

Right-wing French presidential candidate Nicolas Sarkozy has announced that he will give more freedom to wine advertising in France should he be elected in May.

Cork to blame for premature Burgundy oxidation says Coates

Poorly-performing corks are the main culprits behind prematurely aged white Burgundy, says Clive Coates MW.

UK Champagne consumption drops but sales continue to climb

Champagne exports continued to soar in 2006 despite a drop in the UK market.

Moueix buys into Chateau Belair

The Moueix family has bought a 31% stake in the company behind top St-Emilion chateau Belair.

French barrel maker loses over €100k in Napoli grounding

French barrel maker Tonnellerie Boutes has lost over €100k of barrels in the wreck of container ship MSC Napoli off the UK coast.

Bordeaux second growth puts wine under screwcap

A Bordeaux second growth chateau will be bottling wine under screwcap, it was revealed today.

London restaurants neglecting wine

London restaurants are not doing enough to improve their diners’ wine experience, new research has revealed.

Christmas Champagne sales rocket

Sales of Champagne surged over the Christmas period, say UK high street retailers.

Labégorce proprietor dies

Hubert Perrodo, French entrepreneur and owner of Margaux chateaux Marquis d’Alesme Becker, Labégorce and Labégorce-Zédé, has died aged 62.

Taittinger family return to Champagne

The Taittinger family is set to return to its Champagne business nearly two years after being bought out by an American investment firm.

France produces Breton wine

Better known for its cider and sailors, the region of Brittany can now lay claim to having its own wine following a legal tussle with the French authorities.

Top London restaurant finally ends free food and wine

For those hoping to experience the unheard-of pleasure of dining for free at a top restaurant, your chance is over.

Winemaker resigns top judging post following awards scandal

Winemaker Brent Marris has resigned as chief judge of the Air New Zealand awards as the Wither Hills competition scandal refuses to go away.

Old world beats new world for the healthiest wines

Wines made in south western France and Sardinia are better for your health than Australian, South African or US wines, scientists say.