From Markus Schmidli, at 04. January 2011 11:47
Ein Vergleich beendet einen über ein Jahr andauernden Rechtsstreit.
„Wir haben eine große Verantwortung gegenüber unseren über 190 Mitgliedsbetrieben. Der Verein steht für den Wein, für höchste Qualitätsansprüche und strengstes Herkunftsprinzip. Darauf möchten wir unsere Energie richten und deshalb haben wir uns zu einem Vergleich mit Gritsch entschlossen“, meinte Vinea-Wachau-Obmann Franz Hirtzberger beim Verlassen des Gerichtssaales. Damit ging ein Rechtsstreit, der über ein Jahr gedauert hat, am Freitag, dem 17. Dezember, vor dem Richtersenat in Krems einvernehmlichzu Ende.
From Markus Schmidli, at 04. January 2011 11:46
by Jim Budd- Dozens of orders, mainly from the 2003 and 2005 Bordeaux vintages, have been left unfulfilled by internet wine merchant 1855.com. There is also now growing evidence that the company is failing to deliver some 2007s.
Following complaints from readers, Decanter.com can reveal that there are over 55 cases
From Sigi Hiss, at 04. January 2011 11:44
By: Olly Wehring
In this, the final part of just-drinks’ review of 2010, Olly Wehring takes a look at what made the wine headlines this year.
The last 12 months may, at first glance, have made up a quiet year for the global wine industry. While the sector garnered its fair share of headlines, the wine companies of the world appeared to spend 2010 getting their houses in order rather than sniffing around in an M&A style. That appeared to be the case, right up until the last two weeks of the year, however. A closer look at the industry in 2010, meanwhile, also throws up fraud, earthquakes, divestments, demergers and the small matter of the FIFA World Cup.
The year started with the Champagne sector having taken a beating over the festive period. Champagne houses had been hit particularly hard by the downturn, and Christmas 2009 saw retailers across the developed markets of Western Europe and the US use Champagne to drive footfall. As volumes soared, absorbing an oversupply from the region, sales values for producers told a slightly different story. In January, Remy Cointreau rang alarm bells when it saw its Champagne sales tumble by 32.5% year-on-year in the first nine months of 2009. The cyclical nature of Champagne may have hit the bottom of the cycle early this year, but has more recently regained some momentum. Figures in early 2011 will show if the sector has maintained this resurgence.
Staying in France, and E&J Gallo and Constellation Brands became embroiled in a fraud scandal early in the year. In February, a court in the south of the country handed down suspended prison sentences and fines to several wine merchants and a cooperative for passing off fake Pinot Noir at inflated prices. As Gallo moved to ensure that none of the offending wine was still on US shelves, and even earned the sympathy of our cold-blooded wine commentator, Chris Losh, Constellation confirmed that it too had bought Pinot Noir from one of the guilty wine merchants. Thankfully, Constellation found at the time that none of the wine it had bought remained in the US market.
Bringing such matters into perspective were events in Chile later the same month. On 27 February, an earthquake hit the South American country, killing around 500 and leaving many more homeless. Chile’s largest wine producer, Concha y Toro reported in early March that heavy damage to its wineries and vineyards meant it had had to suspend production for a time. A week later, trade body Wines of Chile warned that
From Sigi Hiss, at 04. January 2011 11:44
by David Furer- Mulderbosch Vineyards in Stellenbosch, South Africa, has been sold to California-based investment group Terroir Capital for an undisclosed sum. The purchase will include the entire brand, winery, vineyards, and inventory.
Mulderbosch’s sister winery, Kanu, is not expected to be part of the deal. Terroir Capital’s team is being led by Charles Banks, a former partner in California’s Screaming Eagle winery, who told Decanter.com that the deal is expected to close later this month.
Screaming Eagle’s current winemaker, Andy Erickson, will lead the Mulderbosch winemaking team commencing with the 2011 vintage. The current Mulderbosch production team, including its winemaker Richard Kershaw, is expected to remain in place.
Ben Truter, Mulderbosch’s MD, was introduced to Banks by his US importer, André Shearer of Cape Classics, who told him he knew of a party interested in supporting the now 120k case winery’s growth. ‘I had to make a decision to either extend our credit facilities with our bank or sell the business to a reputable buyer,’ Truter said.
In addition to wineries Terroir Capital invests and develops small resorts, hotels, spas, and restaurants. It bought South Africa’s Tulbagh Mountain Vineyards in September 2010. Banks told Decanter.com he is looking for additional opportunities in South Africa and is pursuing further expansion into Italy, Chile and Argentina.
He said, ‘The world is not screaming for more mediocre, sweet, over-oaked Chenin blanc Mulderbosch’s old vines have incredible potential.’ www.decanter.com
From Sigi Hiss, at 04. January 2011 11:44
By: Stuart Todd – Champagne’s trade body, CIVC, is upbeat on the sector’s prospects for 2011 based on improving volume sales and higher pricing.
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| Chamagne body CIVC sees continued sales momentum |
Global Champagne sales by volume rose by 12.4% for the 10 months to the end of October, according to CIVC.
“The key question now is whether this is largely a restocking phenomenon or a response to a real increase in consumption. We will only be able to make a judgement on that when the crucial months of November and December are past us,” said CIVC spokesperson Daniel Lorson.
He told just-drinks that global shipments for 2010 would likely hit 315m bottles, up from 293m last year but still below 322m in 2008.
“Overall, we are optimistic for 2011,” said Lorson. “We’ve noted a modest average increase in prices in the second half, driven by significant increases in prices for premium Champagne.
“We are also seeing some strong upward movement in prices in the bottom of the range category, compared to 2009, with fewer examples of Champagne at less than EUR10 (US$13) a bottle,” he added.
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