Berry Bros and Sotheby's cosy up in NYC

Berry Bros & Rudd, the ultra-traditional London wine merchant, may be auctioneers Christie's nearest off-licence but it is their arch-rivals Sotheby's that they are planning to team up with in the lucrative New York fine wine market.

The aim is to develop an integrated retail and auction wine business in New York. BBR has placed an application with the NY State Liquor Authority to acquire Aulden Cellars (Sotheby's current retail partner in NY). The plan is to locate the new venture in Sotheby's New York lobby, where the restaurant BID is currently. Sotheby's man in New York Jamie Richie...