Spain’s boom came as no surprise. After 36 years of dictatorship its economy was ripe to explode with a joie de vivre typical of its lively people. What has come as a bit of a shock is that, since Francisco Franco’s death in 1975, Spain has surged from a mainly agricultural and tourism-based society to overtake Canada as the world’s eighth largest economy (World Bank).

Film legend Paul Newman decided there was something missing from his 100-plus Newman’s Own product range, so he’s adding wine to the mix. The deal is currently being kept under wraps, but we did learn that a Newman’s Own Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay will be unveiled early next year. The wine will be made by Rebel Wine , a joint venture between Three Thieves…

Forget about port and Stilton and think malt whisky – that was the message at a single malt and cheese tasting held at the Cheese School of San Francisco. It was the first such tasting held in the US and tasters were somewhat sceptical. Cheese authority Laura Martinez (left), author of The Everything Cheese Book, argued that whisky actually partners better with cheese than…

The first Independent Spirits Festival was held in the US in October and sponsors have already announced plans for a second next year. The aisles at Hotel W in San Francisco were crowded with dedicated spirits enthusiasts, eager to taste exotics such as Black Truffle Vodka from Modern Spirits Distillery, Blood Orange Vodka from Charbay Distillers and Desert Juniper Gin from Bend Distillers. Allison Evanow,…

What concerns you most about the industry? The increasing number of regulations it is facing, especially with regard to the ongoing discussion in Brussels on advertisement restrictions and labelling of alcoholic beverages. Bans and warning labels are not the right way. What one up-and-coming trend do you think is important? It would have to be lower-alcohol wines . I think that there is increasing demand…

St Patrick’s Day (March 17) is a big deal in the US. College students who likely could not find Ireland on a map suddenly discover their roots in the Auld Sod. So it is not surprising that St Patrick’s day promotions begin well before Christmas. There are always the predictable gimmicks involving green beer, leprechauns and shamrocks but this year there are a…

Sales of French wine in the US are up 9 per cent in both volume and value through the first nine months of 2007. To drive the point home, the newly formed Wines of Languedoc has launched a promotion to position the Languedoc as “the leading appellation for value French wines”. The move follow s the establishment early in 2007 of a new Languedoc…