Kinsman becomes only the sixth master blender in the company’s history. He joined the independent family distiller in 1997 having graduated with a first class honours degree in chemistry from St Andrews University, and has served an eight year apprenticeship under Stewart. In his new role, Kinsman will be malt master for Glenfiddich and master blender for Grant’s…

The Christchurch/Southern New Zealand region will officially accept the invitation from the organisation that promotes wine tourism and business links between the world’s great wine regions at its annual general meeting in Bordeaux in the first week of November. While the bid to become a Great Wine Capital was driven by NZ South Island’s largest region, Marlborough, its membership also takes in Christchurch, Canterbury, Waipara Valley…

South Africa, which prides itself on its eco-friendly approach to agriculture and the environment, is claiming a world first by linking a sustainable production scheme directly with its Wine of Origin appellation system. The new scheme will be officially announced next year. Speaking at the Wines of South Africa Mega…

Specialist wine retailer Majestic Wine has reduced the minimum purchase in its stores across the UK from 12 bottles to six. The move follows positive feedback from customers in trials over the last year. Majestic made its reputation as a warehouse-style operation, selling wine in quantities of at least 12 bottles – thereby avoiding, in theory, the need for…

The company plans to “grow Stolichnaya by 100%” by 2014, according to SPI Group partner and minority shareholder Andrey Skurikhin. “Our dynamic plans reflect that, with new partners, new routes to market and significant investment from the Group,” adds Skurikhin. Packaging upgrades for Stolichnaya include a taller, “more elegant” bottle; enhanced label; new closure cap; and new embossing to…

New Zealand wine industry legend George Fistonich has become Sir George after being awarded a knighthood. Receiving his Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit award from New Zealand’s governor general on August 14, Sir George – owner and managing director of New Zealand’s most awarded winery, Villa Maria – became the first…

On board are four cases of red AOC Bordeaux and AOC Bordeaux Superieur, while four identical cases are being stored in cellars in Beychac-et-Caillau, 15km due east of Bordeaux city in the Entre-Deux-Mers region. A comparative tasting will…

The first cases of wine are expected to arrive at the storage facility this week (June). Before now, French customs regulations have not permitted tax free storage, so wines have been shipped to countries outside France, notably the UK…

Reims-based Champagne producer Louis Roederer is switching from green glass to brown for its non-vintage and vintage cuvées. Roederer is already bottling its 37.5cl sizes in the new colour glass and the 75cl size will begin rolling out in 2010. “Green glass filters out 92% of ultraviolet light,” says chef de cave Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon, “but brown glass gives better…