The Wyndham Estate range of premium varietal wines from Australia have been revamped by Caxton Tower. The new packaging is designed to differentiate the Triple Bin varietals and Oak Cask Chardonnay and reflect the brand's positioning as the country's oldest commercially operating vineyard. Bass has signed a five-year sponsorship deal linking Carling Premier with leading music title NME. This gives the brand title ownership of the NME Brat Awards, the title of which will be changed to the NME Premier Awards. The brewer plans to support the event above the line and with on and off-trade promotions. The mandarin liqueur Mandarine Napoléon is being introduced in a new metal gift tin for its 70cl bottle in time for the pre-Christmas sales peak. The brand is also being backed by an advertising campaign this autumn. Burgundy producer Domaine Laroche is supporting its wines with a consumer offer of a weekend for two in Chablis. This is featured on a neck collar. The Piat wine range is sponsoring the 42nd London Film Festival running for two weeks in November. Le Piat Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon will be served at all events and there will be sampling activities. The grape harvest in Burgundy began early this year. Generally the region reported mixed fortunes during the season, but as usual expects a good vintage. In the 12 months to August, the Burgundy wine price index rose 24%. Exports in the first five months of this year increased 15% by volume and 26% by value, according to the Bureau Interprofessionel des vins de Bourgogne. Greene King is running a national advertising campaign for its premium cask ale Abbot Ale. This will run from now until the New Year. It includes national press and ads on the London Underground. To reflect its growing importance the London Wine Trade Fair is changing its name to the London International Wine Fair. From humble beginnings in 1983 in the Kensington Exhibition Centre, it has grown to be probably the most important annual wine trade event in the world. This year it attracted 13,270 visitors. Liverpool brewer Robert Cain is re-introducing Bonfire Toffee Ale in time for Guy Fawkes Night. This is a 5% abv winter warmer to which caramel has been added. It will retail at £1.49 and has a range of national listings. {{DRINKS }}

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