Vinexpo Asia-Pacific,the exhibition of the world’s largest wines & spirits exhibition in Asia will be officially inaugurated on Tuesday 27 May at 3.00 pm by Mr Henry Tang Ying-yen, Chief Secretary for Administration, HKSARG, Mr Frederick Ma Si-hang, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development and Mrs Anne Marie Idrac, Secretary of ForeignTrade, France, and in the presence of Mrs Dominique Hériard Dubreuil, Chairman of Vinexpo Overseas.

The opening ceremony will be followed by a tour around the exhibition. (Source: Vinexpo)

Soju the beverage traditionally distilled from rice, but now from potatoes or cereals also, positions South Korea as the leading foreign supplier of spirits to Japan. Three soju brands are listed among the top ten most imported spirits in the Land of the Rising Sun. (Source: Revue Vinicole Internationale / The IWSR)

Constellation Brands, a leading international producer of beverage alcohol, announced it has reached an agreement in principle to sell its Valleyfield, Quebec, Canada, distillery and bottling facility to Diageo. Closing of the transaction is expected to occur in June 2008. (Source: CNW Telbec)

The United States has threatened to block all imports of Brunello di Montalcino from 9 June. From that date all Brunello coming into the US must be accompanied by laboratory analysis certifying that the wine is 100% Sangiovese.

The US is Brunello’s biggest market, importing 25% of total Brunello production. (Source: Decanter.com)

The worst spring frost since 1972 has taken its toll on Napa County, causing more than a million dollars in crop damage. Many growers have been running wind machines at full tilt, but night temperatures dipping have damaged some vineyards nonetheless. The frost may cut yields by 20% this year.  (Source: Decanter.com / Napavalleyregsiter.com)

An Italian producer has chosen to quit his AOC label, because he was forbidden to use screw caps for his wines. The grower considers that screw caps protect the freshness of his wines better and correspond to North-European consumers’ expectations. (Source: VSB)

Robert Mondavi, a visionary winemaker and brilliant marketer who helped lead California wine into international prominence, died on Friday May 16^th at home in Yountville, Calif. He was 94.Outspoken, energetic and charismatic, Mondavi was one of the most influential and admired winemakers in California history. He was the driving force behind his namesake winery in Napa Valley, which he established in 1966 and which for years was the most famous winery in California, until it was sold in 2004. (Source: Wine spectator)