Five Minute Read – Dec’02 / Jan’03

News this month features a breakthrough by New Zealand scientists that could spell the end of botrytis, or grey mould, the bane of wine growers in hot and humid conditions. The disease costs the New Zealand industry millions of dollars each year.

Also in news we reveal that Match Bar Group owner John Downey plans two more late-night sites in London in 2003.
Around the World reports on Southcorp’s positive growth at year end and BRL Hardy’s short, but nervy share blip Down Under; skips through the drastic measures taken by Chile’s Pisco Capel to reduce its debt problems; celebrates the new distillery opening in the woolly wilds of the Shetland Islands and covers a swathe of drinks deals that are going down in Asia.

As ever, in Product News, we highlight all that’s hot and hitting the market near you soon, from the latest wine venture from Stowells of Chelsea to a lethal-looking grappa that should make a scene at the end of many a meal – and even a brightly coloured chardonnay called Babe. Proof, if ever it were needed, that the DB editorial team do watch and enjoy Footballers’ Wives.

In finance we ruminate on the brokers penchant for the latest figures from champagne golden child, Laurent-Perrier and watch the analysts give a big thumbs-up to the McGuigan-Simeon link up, while Mergers & Acquisitions provide us with the lowdown on the biggest deals to hit the market as the year closes.

Our big interview targets the man who has perhaps done more to put the wines of Spain on the map than any other individual over the past few decades, Miguel Torres. Matthew Guarente talks to him about fire engines, politics, winemaking and how to step back gracefully and let the next generation move forward and develop their own take on a very individual brand.

Breaking the law – well, perhaps not the law, but certainly the strict codes of the Independent Television Commission – is the focus in marketing. Jon Rees asks whether, with the new licensing laws up before parliament soon, the big drinks boys will find themselves rapped on the knuckles for their funny, but in some people’s opinion, irresponsible ad campaigns. And in retail, we take a peek at the latest label concept to hit the market – one that stands a very good chance of making your eyes go all funny but will surely send your tastebuds all tingly.

In the Press highlights some fascinating stats this month, and most interestingly pinpoints Jane MacQuitty, columnist of The Times, at the head of the league table for product listings, while taking our regular look at which retailer is doing best in that well-known ‘get your products in the papers’ competition.

For our German focus, Chris Orr dives in to see if the country’s extensive generic marketing and advertising campaign is having a positive or negative effect on the country’s exports to the UK.

Meanwhile, Matthew Guarente seizes the opportunity for a tour round Southwold’s favourite beer factory, as he profiles one of the UK’s most successful small breweries and wine concerns, Adnams – a company known in the trade for its colourful front man, Simon Loftus, and in the money markets for its covetable and much envied profit line.

We also profile one of the oldest port shippers in the Douro, the Symington group, and Chris Orr quizzes the company on a thoroughly untraditional approach to developing new and expanding markets for its revamped brands.

Nina Mehra delves into the money markets and digs up a bevy of funds that are finding the world of wine a much more pleasant and profitable place in which to place their big bucks. She talks to leading brokers and turns up a novel exchange of services that is allowing one fund to reap great profits while helping top-notch restaurants give their customers the fine wines they deserve.

And for all those that have been waiting with bated breath to see what forays the drinks business will make into the world of on-trade – the wait is over. Our snappy news section heads an eight page on-trade special, and leads with the revelation that design guru Sir Terence Conran, fresh from the recent expansion of his Zinc chain, is planning two new restaurant projects in the capital in 2003. The first will open in May at the Royal Exchange building; the second in Canary Wharf in Septmber. And a major refurbishment is planned for the Embassy Club in Mayfair. The lower bar and club is not meeting the expectations of owner Mark Fuller – a situation he plans to rectify. We also reveal that Michelin-starred chef Tom Aikens, one-time owner of Pied à Terre, is planning to open a new restaurant in Chelsea in April. And Marco Pierre White is taking over the Suntory eaterie in St James’s Street, London. The venture is expected to open spring 2003. Also in this month’s coverage of everything that rocks in the world of restaurants and bars, Phil Pemberton talks to Jonathan Downey, intrepid owner of the popular and profitable Match Bar group on what makes him tick and what tick’s him off; then chairs a debate on all things vinous and culinary with chef William Drabble and restaurant manager Thierry Thomasin, both of the estimable Aubergine, and one of France’s leading winemakers, Michel Chapoutier.

And if the searing heat of the nation’s best restaurants and bars is getting all too much for you by this stage, then you can cool off with our water feature, where we look at the new trend for water sommeliers in New York and take an overview on the much neglected market of H20, the lifeblood of restaurant mark-ups and focus point for supermarket price wars.

There’s no war, only civilised power drinking in James Graham’s look at what our world leaders and royalty like to sip at state functions and throw back when the doors are closed and the servants have been dismissed. You’ll be surprised by the preferred tipple of Dubya Bush, but not so shocked by Her Majesty’s fondness for fizz.

Charlotte Hey covers the daring rebranding process that Pol Roger has recently invested in and asks whether this venerable Champagne legend is pushing all the right buttons with its ‘new look’ or treading a tricky path with loyal consumers. She also takes a peek behind the scenes at the London Wine Trade Fair and finds out what its creators, Brintex, has on offer for the on-trade and off-trade at next year’s event.

And Pat Straker takes a trip to Cyprus, not just home to contingents of the British Army and cheap and cheeful holidaymakers, but also the source of some increasingly good wine that is slowly but surely working its way on to the UK shelves and finding favour among trade and consumers alike.

Phil Pemberton talks to Ketel One director Bob Nolet about the family business, selling vodka in the UK and making terrible cocktails. He also quizzes Carlos Arana, managing director of cult tequila, Jose Cuervo, about why he loves his brand so much and what the future holds for America’s favourite slammer. And we catch up with all the events you should know about in the coming months with our new listing of the Wine and Spirit Association Diary.

© db December 2002 / January 2003