Market Intelligence

lEMERGING markets for spirits, such as Russia, China and Latin America could double world spirit sales from a current level of 530 million nine-litre cases to more than a billion cases, within a few years, according to Impact International, a London-based drinks publication.

lCroft late-bottled vintage port has changed its year of vintage to 1987. To become an LBV, a wine must be matured in cask for a minium of four years before bottling. No vintage was declared in 1987 so the best of the wine was used for the LBV.

lPartners Port is the brand name for Sandeman's upgraded ruby port. The launch of the brand, which has substantial promotional support, is partly focused on the on-trade and on restaurants in particular. It is shipped by Seagram UK and available at a DPD trade price of £30 a case of six 75cl bottles.

lTwo of Britain's oldest wine merchants - Whighams of Ayr (established in 1766) and Corney and Barrow (established 1780 in London) have merged to form a new wine company in Scotland. The new company will be called Corney & Barrow (Scotland) Ltd with Whighams of Ayr.

lHarvey's Bristol Cream sherry increased its market share by 4% in volume in December/January. That meant it achieved an average market share for the year as a whole to 18.3%.