The Loire Valley harvest for 2025 has been described as “promising” despite a series of heatwaves and heavy rainfall.

The Drinks Trade Regatta, the annual sailing event for the hospitality trade, has announced a new partnership with The Drinks Trust and Only A Pavement Away for 2026.

UK chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced that alcohol duty will increase in line with the Retail Price Index (RPI) from 1 February 2026, a decision that has been met with anger within the drinks and hospitality sectors. 

The WSET has appointed Tamara Roberts as chair of its Board of Trustees, taking over from Simon McMurtrie, who has chaired the board since December 2020.

Spain-based Varma Spirits & Wines has announced its first international distribution agreement for its Macaronesian Gin, which has launched in Italy through the OnestiGroup.

St Andrews-based Eden Mill Distillery has been acquired from administration by a private equity firm, saving the jobs of its 42 staff members.

Mike Carthy, founder and owner of Slingsby Gin, has invested in Hacien tequila for an undisclosed sum.

The Gin Guild has appointed two new directors to its board, Sophie Best, director at William Grant & Sons’ Silent Pool Distillery, and Andrew Parsons, master distiller and co-founder of The Sky Wave Distilling Company.

Heriot-Watt University has named the co-chairs of a fundraising committee to assist the university in raising £35m to build a Centre for Sustainable Brewing and Distilling (CSBD).

Brown-Forman has appointed Liviko as its exclusive representative across all Baltic countries. 

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has announced the appointment of the head of beers, wines and spirits at Marks & Spencer as the new chair of its executive board.

Diageo has paused production at Roseisle Maltings near Elgin, Moray, Scotland, until June 2026 at least, due to lowered demand.

Non-alcoholic drinks brand Crossip has partnered with DryDrnks, a distributor of alcohol-free spirits and mixers, to launch into India.