In Brief.

(From Off Licence News)

Darling lobbied The British Retail Consortium has called on Chancellor Alistair Darling to take action against mounting cost threats to UK retailers. It has proposed measures including rewarding retailers for good environmental practice and a cap on supplementary business rates. Callia extends range Argentinian Bodegas Callia, part of the Salentein Family of Wines, has acquired 350 h a of prime vineyard territory in the exclusive Valle de Pedernal, San Juan. The valley, 200km north of Mendoza, lies at 1,340 m above sea level. The land will be fully devoted to making the winery's "super -premium and icon" wines. Lewis Jones of D&D Wines, UK agent for Bodegas Callia, said: "The land acquired will be mainly devoted to growing high -quality, noble varieties like Malbec and Shiraz. By extending Callia's presence in the area it gives greater opportunities to extend the range available in the UK." CharmarrA in range relaunch French brand ChamarrA is relaunching two of its ranges to take advantage of the new French Vignobles de France classification. The first of the two ranges to make the switch is mid-range RAserve SpAciale. The second range is the Grande Reserve which comprises wines with single -grape varietals selected from different regions in France. The Vignobles de ...