Author Archives: producer366

Westons Cider has set out to double its sales as it predicts UK cider market will continue to out perform other alcoholic drinks categories. Westons report that the UK cider market is worth £3 billion having increased by over 6 % during the past year. This performance builds on the growth over a the last decade.

The performance of cider is very weather dependent The sunny weather in the UK during July saw sales leap by almost 40 % compared to July 2012 when the country received 100 fewer hours of sunshine! With growth across its brand portfolio which includes Stowford Press, Henry Weston, Wyld Wood and Old Rosie.

A Burgundian winemaker Laurent Mouton has been accused by Baron Philippe de Rothschild group of displaying “ a parasitic desire to ride on the great Mouton’s coat tails.” Domaine Mouton is 15 hectares property in Givry and produces about 60,000 bottles of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay per vintage that sells about €18 or less. Chateau Mouton Rothschild is some 84 hectares and their 2011 vintage of their grand vin is selling in the UK around £376 . The Chateau’s lawyers warned the Domaine that they were doing “amounts to counterfeiting of pre-existing brands belonging to Rothschild companies.”

The owners of the Domaine claim they have used the name for four generations and don’t believe selling at their price there could be any confusion with consumers.

The International Wine and Spirit Competition has name their Communicator of the Year 2014 at Vinitaly. The award went to UK wine writer and presenter Jane Parkinson. Former deputy editor of “Drinks Business” and currently appears as a wine expert on BBC show “Saturday Kitchen” as well as writing for “Stylist” and wine editor for “Restaurant Magazine”. Her first book “Wine and Food” is due to be published later this year.

Previous winners of the award have been Jancis Robinson MW, Oz Clarke, Olly Smith and last years winner was spirit specialist, Dave Broom.

Two cases of 1990 vintage of DRC fetched £28,000 each at sales in New York and London. The cases were made up of a mixed assortment. One bottle each of Romanee-Conti and Grands-Echezeaux and Richebourg and three each of La Tach and Romanee-Saint-Vivant. (Drool !!)

The Edinburgh based brewer, Innis & Gunn has reported “phenomenal” rise in sales over the past four years. In the past year the brewer sold 900,000 litres of beer in the US with sales of nearly three million bottles and 4,000 kegs which is a huge increase on 30,000 bottles sold in 2009. Innis & Gunn lead the drive to sell more Scottish beer in overseas markets especially in the US. Scottish food and drink is being promoted by experts deployed in key markets to open up new opportunities.