Wines in the Press, October 17-18

What the wine critics had to say in last weekend's newspapers

Drinks industry attacks 90,000 deaths claim

The drinks industry has slammed health officials' claims that 90,000 people will die from alcohol-related diseases in the next 10 years.

Government climbdown on binge drinking measures

By Shirley Kumar

The government has quietly dropped proposals to give local councils "discretionary" powers to shut down bars in areas blighted by binge drinking.  

UK drinking levels fall again

UK alcohol consumption is falling at the fastest rate for more than 60 years according to HM Revenue & Customs data released by the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA).

Freeze on VAT promises shadow minister

Tobias Ellwood MP, the shadow minister for Culture, Media and Sport, has promised a a six month freeze on VAT for struggling pubs and other small businesses if the Conservatives win the next election.

Top 100 restaurants named

The UK's top 100 restaurants have been named as part of the National Restaurant Awards run by Harpers Wine & Spirit's sister title, Restaurant Magazine.

Diageo sales slump by 6%

Diageo has given more bad news to its investors, revealing a 6% slump in underlying sales in the last quarter.

Diageo sales slump by 6%

Diageo has given more bad news to its investors, revealing a 6% slump in underlying sales in the last quarter.

Wines in the press, October 10-11, 2009

This week's round up of what the newspaper wine critics have had to say: 

Court victory for former Christie's wine chief

The former head of Christie's wine department has won a libel action against the publishers of the controversial book The Billionaire's Vinegar.

New fine wine warehouse opens

A new underground fine wine storage facility has opened near London on the site of a former wartime air raid shelter.

Wines in the press -October 9-11

The Guardian

Edrington Group launches Black Grouse in India

The Edrington Group has launched its premium brand Black Grouse into the growing Indian spirits market.

Penderyn named one of the best whiskies in the world

Welsh single malt whisky Penderyn, has been named one of the best whiskies in the world.

C&C profits drop but Magners turns corner

Magners owner C&C Group saw profits decline in the six months to Aug 31 in the face of an increasingly cluttered cider market and trade destocking in spirits.

Tory government to introduce new taxes on alcohol

A Tory government will increase taxes on low price alcohol and crackdown on late-night licensing to stop teenagers getting drunk "quickly and cheaply".

Edrington Group uses algae to cut CO2 emissions

The Edrington Group's Glenturret Distillery is the first distillery to trial an oil-producing algae to help cut carbon dioxide emissions.

Threshers acting chief executive resigns

First Quench Retailing's acting chief executive and financial director Martin Healy has resigned.

Wines in the press October 2-4

The Guardian

Speyside Whisky Festival brings £1million to area

A record number of international visitors attended the Speyside Whisky Festival, helping to raise almost £1million for the area's economy.