UPDATE: Winemaker Delegat says increased sales due to North American consumers trading up

UPDATE: Winemaker Delegat says increased sales due to North American consumers trading up
(Recasts, adds managing director comment) By Fiona Rotherham Feb. 27 (BusinessDesk) - Consumers trading up to premium wine and an improved economy is behind a 19 percent boost in North American sales to 425,000 cases for New Zealand’s largest listed wine company, Delegat Group. The Auckland-based company confirmed record operating profit of $20.5 million for the six months ending Dec. 31, up 2 percent from $20.2 million in the previous corresponding period, following a 4 percent rise in global case sales to 1.13 million. North Ameri...