Pernod to tip out Lindauer brand

Lindauer sparkling wine is the star of a group of five brands that French firm Pernod Ricard is due to sell by July, says the New Zealand Winegrowers industry body.

Pernod Ricard undertook to sell the brands as part of getting clearance from the Commerce Commission for its purchase of the New Zealand business of Allied Domecq last year. Pernod Ricard would lose the benefit of the clearance if it failed to sell.

The commission has announced it is looking into the competitive implications of Pernod Ricard failing to meet the July deadline.

"Lindauer is a very strong brand both domestically and internationally," Winegrowers chief executive Philip Gregan said yesterday.

"In terms of volume, I would imagine it certainly comprises a very large percentage of New Zealand's sparkling wine exports."

Gregan said Lindauer was also very popular domestically.

But he did not have a feel for the popularity of the other three sparkling brands Pernod Ricard is due to sell - Aquila, Chardon and Italiano - or the still wine brand Chasseur.

Gregan did not want to speculate on potential buyers, adding it was not clear whether just a brand would be sold or whether vineyards associated with a brand might be part of any deals.

"I'm not quite sure in some ways what [divesting of brands] actually means. There are brands, yes, but what sits behind it is pretty important as well."

Pernod Ricard NZ would not say whether it had any potential buyers or if it was having trouble selling.

"The Commerce Commission investigation is progressing," said the company's global business relations manager, Jim Robertson. "We stand ready to assist them with any information, any further clarification that they need."

A commission spokeswoman said no update was available on the investigation's progress.