Barney Rhodes, one of the founding fathers of the Napa Valley wine industry has died aged 88.Rhodes helped to launch a host of important wineries and cemented the region's reputation for fine wine. (Source: Decanter.com)

Bernard Magrez has just acquired a 6-hectare (15-acre) winegrowing estate in Japan on the slopes of Mount Fuji, a first in this country. By working with Yuuju Aruga, who is very well known for his quality wines, the French winegrower intends to produce a premium white wine. The price of the transaction was not revealed, but the former CEO of wine and spirits group William Pitters hopes to increase his sales in Japan as a result of the investment. Bernard Magrez’s group, which owns 35 properties on 4 different continents, posts sales of around €40 million euros per year.(Source: AFP)

70% of the cognac drunk in the world is consumed as an aperitif. It was therefore high time since the Alexander to enjoy cognac again in a delicious cocktail. Launched by the Bureau national interprofessionnel du Cognac promotional body, the “Summit” is a cocktail with a VSOP base, to which traditionally made lemonade is added, along with a few slices of fresh ginger, a zest of lime, cucumber peel and ice. The “Summit” is fresh and has deliciously complex aromas. It has enough attractions to make it a worthy rival of the most well-known cocktails. (Source: Sommeliers international)

Rosenblum Cellars, one of the leading producers of Zinfandel and Rhône varietals in California, is being acquired for $105 million by international drinks giant Diageo. The sale price includes the Alameda, Calif., winery, the brand and existing inventory. The winery relies on long-term contracts with growers around the state and owns vineyards. Purchase testifies to growing taste for Zinfandel among consumers and producers. (Source Wine: Spectator)

French wine and spirits exports again performed well in 2007, reaching a turnover of €9.3 billion, up 6.3% compared to 2006. Wines, worth €6.67 billion increased by 8.3% and spirits exports rose by 3.3% to reach €2.64 billion. 2007 was also a record year for champagne, with exports increasing by 4.7% in volume and by 10.4% in value to reach €2.36 billion. Still wines have increased by 1.6% in volume and 8.6% in value terms, but with irregular performances in different regions. With regard to spirits, cognac has grown yet again by 5.9% in volume and 11.9% in value. (Source Décision: Boissons)

Champagne deliveries grew by 5.3% from 321.6 million bottles in 2006 to 338.7 million by 31^st December 2007. 187.7 million bottles were sold in France (up 3.7%), 91.5 million in the European Union (up 9.9%) and 59.5 million in other countries (up 4.7%). If this substantial growth in volumes sold continues, the 2007 harvest that will be offered for sale in 2010 will not be sufficient to meet the demand.(Source: Décision Boissons)