Symington and Cockburn

Well we did rather wonder how the bourbon-based company Jim Beam was going to digest the Cockburn’s port and Harvey’s sherry it acquired when Allied Domecq’s wine division was broken up. The company’s major excursions into wine are Clos du Bois and Geyser Peak, hardly the best preparation for the intricacies of fortified wine production in the Douro and Jerez.  Although as brands of course, both names have been spectacular market leaders so they are well worth maintaining.

At least the port seems to be in good hands. Paul Symington comments: “We are finalising negotiations with the new...