BNIC auctions rare cognacs for £108,500
The BNIC’s seventh annual La Part Des Anges charity auction has raised a record €136,800/£108,500 from the sale of fine and rare cognacs.
Cape 2012 is best ever
The Cape 2012 trade exhibition, which took place last week in Cape Town, was the “best ever”, according to the chairman of Wines of South Africa (Wosa), Johann Krige.
Heineken agrees Asia Pacific Breweries deal
Heineken has strenghtened its position in Asia with the US$4.3bn deal to buy Fraser & Neave’s interest in Asia Pacific Breweries (APB).
Brands flock to MBS to access Russian market
Global spirits groups and aspiring brands were present at the second annual Moscow Bar Show (MBS) this week to capitalize on Russian bartenders and distributors’ growing interest in international spirits.
Christensen maps the way ahead for Accolade
Troy Christensen, Accolade Wines' American CEO, is not a man encumbered with traditional values. Wine may traditionally come in 75cl bottles with a cork closure but what interests him is the move to pouches, bag-in-box and ready-to-serves (RTS).
South Africa could be "number one" wine producer
A leading South African businessman has called for the Rainbow nation’s wine industry to work towards becoming the world’s number one producer.
Spain, Portugal and Italy object to minimum pricing
Spain, Portugal and Italy have joined Bulgaria in objecting to Scotland’s plans to introduce minimum unit pricing for alcohol.
Diageo and United Spirits confirm talks
Drinks giants Diageo and United Spirits have confirmed they are in talks over Diageo acquiring a stake in United Spirits.
Patrick Sandeman dies in skydiving accident
A member of the Sandeman port family has died in a skydiving accident.
Pilsner Urquell celebrates 170th with new bottle
Czech brewer Pilsner Urquell is launching a limited edition 1 litre bottle to commemorate its 170th anniversary.
Bowmore 1957 the "oldest Islay single malt"
Morrison Bowmore has released the oldest ever Bowmore whisky, the £100,000 (US$155,000) Bowmore 1957.
US: Playboy launches wine club
US: Playboy Enterprises has launched Playboy Wine Club for US wine enthusiasts.
Wemyss joins blends market with Lord Elcho
Wemyss Malts has launched Lord Elcho to capitalize on the global surge in interest in blended scotch whiskies.
Drambuie reports 9% operating profit increase
The Drambuie company, owners of one of the famous liqueur brands, has announced an operating profit of 9%, based on constant exchange rates for the year to June 2012.
Bordeaux 2012 to surpass 2011
CEO of CA Grands Crus, Thierry Budin, has predicted this year’s Bordeaux vintage could surpass that of 2011, despite an unseasonably wet July in the south west corner of France.
Jubilee celebrations lift gin and sparking sales
The Wine and Spirit Trade Association says gin and sparkling wine sales increased in the UK during the run up to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
Australian Vintage appoints Dyer general manager
The major Australian volume wine producer, Australian Vintage (AVL) has appointed Julian Dyer to general manager UK & Europe on a permanent basis.
Cognac grows 4% despite European malaise
The Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC) has announced shipments of cognac have risen by 4.3%, with growth in Asia and North America off-setting a European decline.
Rhône wine producers calm and unruffled
Inter-Rhône is predicting the 2012 harvest to reach 1.5 million hectolitres for the Côtes du Rhône regional appellations and 3m hl for the Rhône Valley.
Brent Marris: Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc not peaked
The Ned winemaker Brent Marris has dismissed suggestions that Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc has reached saturation point, countering that in global terms the style's journey has just begun.
New Beaujolais boss
Inter Beaujolais has announced that its new president is Bruno Mallet of Les Vins Aujoux.
Distell buys share in Chinese distribution co
South Africa-based liquor company, Distell is expanding its presence in China with the acquisition of a 60% share in liquor distribution company CJ Wines & Spirits.
Pernod flags up possibility of new whisky distillery
Chivas Brothers boss Christian Porta has told journalists and analysts today that the next significant development for its scotch whisky business will be to build a new distillery.
Diageo plans a new malt whisky distillery
Diageo has announced that it is submiting pre-planning applications for three potential locations for a new malt whisky distillery.
Campari buys Appleton rum brand
Campari is to acquire Wray & Nephew, Appleton Estate and Coruba rum brands for US$414.8m.
Austria expects smaller but good quality harvest
The Austrian Wine Marketing Board has announced that it expects a smaller harvest this year but the quality should be high.
Wild Turkey to invest $4m in visitor centre
US: Campari America has unveiled plans for a $4m visitor centre at its Wild Turkey distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.
Pernod posts best growth since before recession
Pernod Ricard has achieved its highest-level of growth since before the global recession, thanks to strong sales in Asia and a rallying performance in mature markets.
Alexandre Ricard steps up
Pernod Ricard has announced board changes, following the sudden death of Patrick Ricard, which sees Alexandre Ricard step up preparation to become chairman and CEO in January 2015.
LIWF move to Monday for 2013
London International Wine Trade Fair organiser, Brintex, has announced that the 2013 show will now start on the Monday, May 20 instead of the usual Tuesday. The three-day show will therefore finish on the Wednesday, May 22.
Africa: SAB Miller opens $100m brewery
SAB Miller has opened its fourth brewery in Nigeria.
Beam sends Irish graduates to US
Beam has hired five Irish graduates to promote its Irish whiskey brands in the US.
Facebook ruling "strange" says Diageo
The Australian Advertising Standards Bureau’s ruling that brands’ Facebook pages should be treated as advertising has been branded as “strange” by Diageo’s CEO.
Diageo targets women, middle classes and over 50s
Diageo is looking to “get stronger” as a business by targeting women, the over 50s, emerging middle classes, and multicultural groups.
Diageo poised for baijiu opportunities
CEO of Diageo, Paul Walsh, has outlined the potential of the global baiijiu market and has stated that the company is ready for further acquisition in the category.
Distell reports 15% revenue growth and 9% sales increase
Distell, South Africa’s leading wine and spirits producer, has reported a 15% growth in revenue for the year to June 2012 and a 9.9% increase in sales volumes across its portfolio of wines, spirits and RTDs in both domestic and international markets.
Russia's WTO accession welcomed by SWA
Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organisation (WT0), after 18 years of negotiation, has been welcomed by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).
Diageo announces net sales growth of 6%
Diageo has announced a 6% net sales growth and 9% increase in operating profit for the year ended June 30, 2012.
ProWein heads to China
ProWein is heading to a trade show in China. The German show is to take a Tasting Zone – called ProWine - at Wine & Spirits China 2012, which takes place in Shanghai from November 14-16.
Tiki Estate Pinot Gris 2011 launches
New Zealand winemankers Tiki Wines has released a 2011 Pinot Gris to the UK, Finland, Iceland, Channel Islands, Ireland and the domestic market.
Heineken agrees final offer for Tiger brewer
Heineken has agreed a final offer for Fraser & Neave's shares in Tiger brewer Asia Pacific (APB).
Bacardi names new Asia Pacific regional president
Bacardi Limited, the largest privately-held spirits company in the world, has announced the appointment of Siddik Tetík as regional president of Asia Pacific.
Patrick Ricard dies aged 67
Patrick Ricard the titular head of the Pernod Ricard family, has died. He was 67. Cause of death has not been disclosed but it is believed to be a heart attack.
Carlsberg: Russia and Asia offset faltering Europe
Carlsberg has announced that sales advances in Russia and Asia offset difficulties in Europe during H1 of 2012.
Heineken reels in Strongbow for US expansion
Heineken has announced it will take the US distribution of its global-leading cider brand, Strongbow, in-house from next year.
Barack Obama has White House brewery
The Obama administration has confirmed that there is a microbrewery at the White House which produces a beer called White House Honey Ale.
Whisky Exchange to put on October tasting show
The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show will take place at Vinopolis in London in October.
Craft bucks US beer trend with 12% H1 growth
US craft beer grew by double digits during H1 of 2012 despite the malaise of the US beer market, says the Brewers Association.
BNIC to auction 26 rare cognacs
Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC) is to auction 26 rare cognacs at the upcoming charity auction, La Part des Anges.
UK wine consumers drinking less, spending more
Consumers in the UK are drinking less wine and continuing to shun the on-trade, according to research published by Wine Intelligence.