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Quote unquote - Westminster Food & Nutrition Keynote Seminar on alcohol - (2nd July 2009)
Just-drinks has today (2 July) been in attendance at the Westminster Food & Nutrition Keynote Seminar on alcohol, held in London. The morning-long event has been looking at the issue of alcohol consumption and abuse in the UK, and considered the situation as it is, as it could be and as it should be. Among the more pertinent comments from speakers are the ones below.
just the answer – New Zealand Winegrowers - (30th June 2009)
Last month, ex-Brown-Forman exec David Cox became Europe director for New Zealand Winegrowers. He spoke with Chris Mercer about what attracted him to working for a generic body and about New Zealand’s potential for further growth in Europe.
The Losh Cause – EU lacking moral courage, again - (25th June 2009)
With tough market conditions at home and a strong euro hampering exports, Chris Losh believes European wine producers need policymakers to make bold decisions rather than resisting or fudging changes that are in step with modern consumer demands..
Focus - Baijiu still attractive despite downturn - (23rd June 2009)
Foreign investment has brought valuable marketing nous to China’s rice wine-based spirits category but, Mark Godfrey writes from Beijing, there has so far been little change in the balance of power in the market.
Focus - US soft drinks sector in policy dogfight - (18th June 2009)
Campaigners are lobbying for the repeal of regulations prohibiting the use of federal funds for public health messages which focus on specific foods or drinks. As the US soft drinks industry campaigns against the introduction of a tax on soft drinks to pay for healthcare reform, it now faces further pressure. Ben Cooper reports.
Focus - UK soft drinks sector puts sustainability centre stage - (16th June 2009)
Environmental concerns have climbed steadily up the agenda for soft drinks producers in recent years. However, Annette Farr writes, progress has been faster in the UK than in the US.
The just-drinks interview – George Marsden, E&J Gallo - (11th June 2009)
In spite of the tough conditions, rising alcohol duties and the grim task of cutting his UK workforce, George Marsden, E&J Gallo’s vice president and general manager for Europe, is relishing what he considers to be the most challenging opportunity of his career. He spoke with Olly Wehring about his first two years heading up Gallo’s European operations and the way ahead.
Focus - Trouble at the top but not a meltdown - (9th June 2009)
The drinks sector boasts some big-ticket, luxury products, like very old single malts and the most exclusive Bordeaux wines, and some very wealthy, high end consumers to go with them. Chris Losh looks at how this end of the market is faring during the downturn, and to what degree the big spenders are cutting back.
just the answer – United Spirits - (4th June 2009)
Like prominent Indian companies in many sectors, spirits producer United Spirits India has not only benefited from the rapid development of its domestic market but is also expanding its own international horizons. In this month’s just the answer, Chris Mercer spoke with United Spirits' president Vijay Rekhi.
The View from A Farr – Labelling theory - (2nd June 2009)
The debate over front-of-pack nutritional labelling has divided opinion sharply. As the relative merits of guideline daily amounts (GDA) and ‘traffic lights’ are being widely discussed in the UK and the EU, Annette Farr believes having a single, unified system that consumers can readily understand and trust is the key priority.
