Treasury Wine Estates may have outperformed the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index by 18.4% in the past six months but JPMorgan, Citi, Credit Suisse and Commonwealth Bank of Australia all reckon it’s better to be underweight. The Wall Street Journal reports since spun out in May from the now de-listed Foster’s Group, the company just became Australia’s largest listed alcohol company with a market capitalization of 2.5 billion Australian dollars (US$2.55 billion).

True to its word in early September that it would quickly dominate the Australian market, Chinese company Bright Food has announced plans to open an office in Sydney. Bright Food is the second largest food company in China, and following its acquisition of 75 per cent of Australia’s leading independent grocery importer Manassen Foods Australia, it wants to become a global leader in the sector. It also has eyes on the wine industry, says Food Magazine.

Wine Australia’s UK chief has played down the proposed move from its central London offices as part of a drive to cut costs, reports Harpers Wine and Spirit Review. Speaking at the generic body’s annual general meeting, chief executive Andrew Cheesman said Wine Australia’s funding base had decreased by 30% since 2007.

The wine trade faced up to some tough accusations last week – wine aisles are “boring”, in-store signs are a “nightmare” and “wine speak” alienates consumers. That was according to a line-up of marketing and FMCG experts from outside the industry who spoke at the first consumer forum, jointly hosted by Harpers and consumer website WineOption in London. The forum kicks off Harpers’ Get Engaged campaign, which will focus on helping the trade talk to consumers in a better way, reports Harpers Wine & Spirit.

Spain’s 2011 harvest looks set to strengthen the country’s reputation as a source of good value wine. Despite lower yields across the country as a whole, several of Spain’s most high profile wine regions saw large harvests and good quality, fully ripened fruit, reports The Drinks Business. In general, this was a vintage characterised by a cool July, followed for the most part by hot, dry conditions and a relatively disease free crop, although a lack of water caused problems for some growers.

Spain’s 2011 harvest looks set to strengthen the country’s reputation as a source of good value wine. Despite lower yields across the country as a whole, several of Spain’s most high profile wine regions saw large harvests and good quality, fully ripened fruit, reports The Drinks Business. In general, this was a vintage characterised by a cool July, followed for the most part by hot, dry conditions and a relatively disease free crop, although a lack of water caused problems for some growers.

The UK wine trade should promote biodynamic and organic wines, a debate in London decided last night. Viticulturalist Richard Smart and biodynamic winemaker Monty Waldin went head-to-head at the Wine and Spirit Education Trust headquarters – Waldin supporting the motion and Smart opposing it. The audience, which included highly-qualified members of the UK trade, questioned both speakers closely, reports Decanter.

Nelson Winegrowers are pleased to announce that Cameron Trott is the first winner of the David McIntosh Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship gives a local person involved in the wine industry the opportunity to further their experience with organic grape and wine production. It was established in memory of David McIntosh – a local viticulturist who was passionate about organics. A very active Nelson Winegrowers committee member, David was tragically killed on his 42nd birthday in a vineyard accident last year, reports Tiz Wine.

Whenever I am in Taupo I always make a point of visiting Scenic Cellars, as I did this week. And I’m pleased I did. Not only has Scenic, one of the country’s best wine merchants, changed location, but it has incorporated into the business a cafe-restaurant. So this was, as always, a voyage of discovery which this time started at the front door of the new premises with a display in the window of old New Zealand wines, reports The Southland Times.

There hasn’t been much good news for Riverland winegrape growers, but a marked increase in demand for grapes could see prices increase for growers. In recent years, a glut and low prices have meant it’s cost more to produce winegrapes than growers could sell them for. Now the new owners of the Loxton Winery, US firm The Wine Group, are actively seeking more grapes for their 2012 vintage. Chris Byrne, from the Riverland Wine Grape Growers Association, says vine pulls and exit packages in the region have helped the industry in the long run, reports ABC Rural.