The PR manual quotes efficiency and education, but as any seasoned journo will tell you, it's chaos, intrigue and tales of the unexpected that produce the most memorable press trips.

The Italians - who make chaos an art form - excelled themselves on a recent trip to Abruzzo when they decanted 40 international journalists straight from the vineyards into the gala dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant at 9.15 pm. The women, many in flip-flops, shorts and T -shirts, were not impressed . The startled Italian waiters soon warmed to the situation.

• Sotheby's Wine Encyclopedia
  
  Never one to pull punches, Tom Stevenson admits the fourth edition is only an "intermediate revision" . Nevertheless, for those wavering, he goes on to say that it is not just a change of cover colour, there are "thousands of changes". Not just the latest vintage reports - 2007 for the southern hemisphere and 2006 for the northern, but under -performing producers have been "deleted to squeeze in up-and-coming producers" (ouch!) and new appellations .
  
  Published by Dorling Kindersley
  
  Price: £35
  
• Cocktails #7
  
  Simon Difford, a doyen of the mixologist fraternity, has published a hefty tome of more than 2,250 cocktails, which he has collected "during 10 years of visiting and writing about the world's best bars".Everything from a mojito to a liquorice all sort, Difford says the book "is intended not only to encourage more people to enjoy cocktails at home, but to help them appreciate them when drinking out". As for the book ... stirred but not shaken.
  
  Published by diffordsguide
  
  Price: £25/US$35
  
• Bordeaux Chateaux: A History of the Grand Crus Classés 1855-2005
  
  This benchmark reference book, first published in 2004, is now available in Italian and Czech. As you would expect from a book weighing a couple of kilos it is packed with lavish photography.
  
  Published by Flammarion
  
  Price: £30/E50

Crowned World Cocktail Champion at the IBA World Cocktail competition in Taiwan (see above), Krista Meri from Estonia won the prestigious award with Golden Autumn

Golden Autumn

2 cl Nemiroff Original

2 cl Martini Extra Dry

1 barsp Disaronno

1 cl Monin Pomme Verde

2 barsp Marie Brizard lime cordial

Method: Shake and strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with apple and blueberry.

The IBA World Flairtending Champion, Danilo Oribe from Uruguay, won the title using this cocktail, Taiwan Vice

Taiwan Vice

3 cl Matrioshka vodka

0.75 cl Campari

0.75 cl Galliano

6 cl grapefruit juice

1 cl lime juice

Top up with Moët & Chandon

Raspberries

Method: Shake and serve in a Saturne glass and garnish with green apple and red apple.

Bartenders the world over came to Taiwan at the end of November for the International Bartenders Association's 33rd World Cocktail Competition finals and the eighth World Flairtending finals.

Representatives from 49 countries descended on Kaohsiung, Taiwan's second-largest city. Estonian Krista Meri was crowned cocktail champion with her Golden Autumn cocktail based on Nemiroff Original vodka and Martini Extra Dry (see recipes below). Fabbio Bacchi from Italy was first runner-up with his Plus 39 made from Matrioshka honey vodka and Terre Arse dry wine, and Andris Noreikis from Latvia with Aerob ios, made from Nemiroff Honey Pepper vodka, Martini Extra Dry and Galliano.

They had to make a pre-dinner cocktail in a 9cl glass , using fi ve ingredients , 7cl of alcohol and edible garnish.

The flairtending champion was Danilo Oribe from Uruguay who made Taiwan Vice from Matrioshka vodka, Campari and Galliano. First runner-up was Austrian Stefan Haneder with Superman, made from Havana Club rum, Malibu and Monin Orgeat, and second runner-up was local Hsu Po-Sheng with his Symphony of Spiderman, comprising Hennessy VSOP, Mozart Amadé Chocolate Orange and Monin passion fruit syrup.

The flairtenders had to assemble cocktails, juggling with bottles and glasses, from seven ingredients, 7cl of alcohol and edible garnish. Each had to compete for five minutes. Judges awarded taste and technical scores .

Plantagenet Omrah, Western Australia

100 per cent Cab Sauv; 14.5 abv; 12 months in French and American oak, 10 per cent new, 90 per cent two-year; "near perfect" vintage in Great Southern; UK £8.99

Aroma: pronounced blackcurrant, blackberry, leafy fresh with a touch of cedar and spice

Palate: round and easy with cl assic blackcurrant to the fore and hints of plum, earthy minerals and cocoa. Elegant, neither voluptuous nor confected, with a little black tea tartness on the finish

It is almost 10 years since Gerard Barnes, then buyer for UK retailer Sainsbury's (now of Raisin Social) and I were in Romania, tasting wines.

It was a five hour car ride back to Bucharest to get our flights, his to London, me to Munich. We were both looking forward to getting home. Romania in late October is bleak and Gerard had been on the road for some time in eastern Europe.

Pernod Ricard is continuing its revamp of vodka brand Stolichnaya with the opening of a themed bar at London department store Harvey Nichols.

Cutting-edge cocktails, bespoke flavoured vodkas and a Russian Constructivist graphic theme are all parts of the mix at the bar .

Leading mixologist and consultant Nick Strangeway helped to create the cocktail menu, featuring aromatised or 3-D martinis inspired by techniques used in modern gastronomy at venues such as Spain's El Bulli.

The cocktails use flavour-infused versions of Stolichnaya made with a high-tech rotary evaporator, as well as more traditionally macerated flavours.

The martinis are served with atomisers of complementary flavours sprayed over the surface of the drink, as well as side servings of flavoured "caviars" - small gel spheres of flavour to match each individual cocktail.

The centrepiece of the bar is a display of Stoli bottles echoing the lines of Russia's Tatlin's Tower, with a traditional Russian toasting room acting as a VIP area.

Visitors will also be offered a bespoke infusions service from early 2008, enabling them to create a personalised flavoured vodka using traditional maceration techniques or the more modern rotary evaporator.

The bar also offers cocktail masterclasses to consumers, as well as bartender masterclasses to learn the latest mixology techniques.

Stolichnaya global brand director Vincent Gillet said the new bar was part of the "relaunch phase" of Stolichnaya, which Pernod Ricard has distributed since its takeover of Allied Domecq in 2005.

First revealed to the trade at the London International Wine & Spirits Fair , Arniston Bay's new resealable "pouches " went on sale in the UK in August 2007 in a 1.5-litre size, with 250ml individual servings following.

The South African brand's producer - The Company of Wine People - was targeting two groups. Existing purchasers of larger, traditional bag-in-box formats would be attracted by the slimmer, fridge door-friendly size and younger drinkers by the lightweight, quick-chilling, non-breakable packaging, well-suited to everyday outdoor us e .

The pouches are made from plastic film comprising three protective layers with an easy-carry handle, leak-proof tap and a minimum shelf life of nine months. Compared to filled bottles, the light weight packaging offers savings through the supply chain on transportation costs.

While not biodegradable, an empty, flattened pouch will, claims the company, take up "90 per cent less waste and landfill than two glass bottles".

Opinions in the trade may have been split , but Arniston Bay's pouches have certainly advanced the ongoing discussion on environmentally responsible packaging in wine.

Italy's leading beer export has had a busy year, with owner SABMiller celebrating new market launches in Monte Carlo and Tokyo . In the UK, Peroni became the first official beer brand partner at London Fashion Week and the new Emporio Peroni open ed in Birmingham's Bullring shopping centre .

In September a collaboration with Vogue Italia created a global retrospective photographic exhibition celebrating 50 years of Italian style. Launching at On/Off in agreement with the Royal Academy of Arts in London, it will continue until April 2008 before travelling on to New York and Milan. Back in Italy, Peroni was the official beer of the Rome Film Festival in October.

But the big news came in November, with the announcement of a new US$50 million global brand campaign - Calendario - shot as a short film set in the 60s in Bellagio, a small town in the stylish Lake Como area.

SABMiller's ongoing investment in Peroni Nastro Azzurro since its initial relaunch in 2005 is bearing fruit, with international sales excluding Italy up by 69 per cent MAT to September 2007.

Early October saw the announcement of a buy-out that surprised many observers, yet delighted much of the South African wine industry. Constellation Brands, the world's biggest wine company, was to acquire Flagstone, the Somerset West producer rated in the top echelons among the South African wine cognoscenti.

The move is significant as it represents a commitment to the premium South African wine sector from the company which added the country's biggest brand name, Kumala, to its portfolio in 2006 .

"Kumala competes successfully at the volume-driven, lifestyle sector of the market," said James Reid, operations director at Constellation Wines South Africa, adding that the company had been " looking to build our South African range to meet global demand for premium and luxury wines".

Flagstone's former owner and winemaker, Bruce Jack, has something of a maverick reputation and has built up a cult following . Some have aired fears of a "dumbing down " of Flagstone's wines under its new ownership, but the alternative view says that Jack will bring a welcome dose of individuality to Constellation's corporate set-up.

Either way, with Jack remaining in a supervisory role over the whole of Constellation's South African portfolio, including Kumala, there are interesting times ahead for the South African wine industry.

Proving an instant hit with consumers and bartenders alike, the world's first elderflower liqueur was launched on to the Manhattan social scene at the Guggenheim Museum in New York, in February 2007. A UK launch followed in April and sales have been steadily rising since.

Produced by La Maison St-Germain in Paris, only fresh elderflower blossoms are used, handpicked from Savoie in the French Alps. Other elderflower products, the company says, usually use frozen or freeze-dried blossoms. The spirit used in the maceration is 18 per cent eau de vie made in a copper pot still and 82 per cent column-distilled grape spirit, from Chardonnay and Gamay grapes.

Author and mixology guru Simon Difford worked on the development of signature mixed drinks, "even before we had finalised the abv of the liqueur". Indeed, St-Germain was popular among competitors in Drinks International's Bartenders Cocktail Challenge , and the White Spirits trophy went to Pernelle, a recipe containing U'Luvka Vodka, St-Germain, pear eau de vie, lemon juice and soda.

The art deco-style bottles each carry an individual serial number and a vintage date highlights the variations, dependent on harvest conditions.

The Vinexpo exhibition in Bordeaux in June was the occasion for the launch of Rémy Martin's Coeur de Cognac. Not perhaps one for Cognac purists, it was developed in a project starting in 2005 to address static Cognac sales in the traditional European markets. While Rémy had Club for the Asian markets and 1738 for the US, there was no blend specifically tailored to European palates.

"We want to attract a broader category of consumers," said Rémy Martin international brand manager Patrick Mariuz , "both connoisseurs and non-connoisseurs, gastronome or not; to go with food or desserts or on its own on crushed ice."

Coeur de Cognac is produced, the company says, in a slower, more delicate process that does away with high temperatures, using pot stills and maturation in small oak casks. The end result is a soft, approachable spirit with pronounced orange and apricot fruit character, scented cinnamon spice and a creamy vanilla backdrop.

"This doesn't belong to the traditional Cognac categories like XO or VSOP," said Mariuz. "We wanted to present something more accessible with more fruit and unctuous character."

The majority of the blend consists of Cognacs from Rémy's best vineyards in the Petite and Grande Champagne districts, hence the name Heart of Cognac , and its Fine Champagne quality level means it has spent time resting on the lees picking up extra richness.

Coeur de Cognac's fresh-faced appeal was evident at Vinexpo where Wayne Collins, distributor Maxxium UK's in-house cocktail specialist, was in the early stages of experimentation, throwing together an intriguing combination of fresh mint and a slice of orange muddled with Coeur de Cognac, stirred with a splash of Angostura aromatic bitters and strained on to crushed ice.

It worked a treat.

For the past two years Champagne Krug has been quietly revamping its range in sumptuous style and filling gaps in its portfolio while maintaining the impeccable standards of the liquid inside the bottles. Indeed, the year kicked off with the release of the new Krug Rosé half-bottle, which has proved popular with both on- and off-trade alike in all Krug's key markets.

Later came releases in the vintage reserve Krug Collection series - 1985 in bottles and 1981 in magnums - while at the other end of the timescale, June saw the release of the latest vintage of Krug's single vineyard Clos du Mesnil, the 1996. In one of the smallest harvests recorded at the 1.8ha walled vineyard, only 8,607 bottles and 602 magnums were available worldwide. Finally, the explosively rich and impressive Krug Vintage 1996 was also released in the summer.

Part of the LVMH luxury goods empire, Krug has identified a niche and is very effectively exploiting its positioning as the choice of the wealthy and knowledgeable individualist. The Krug Picnic Trunk typified this approach. Holding three bottles of Krug, an ice bucket, a picnic table and 88 designer accessories, only 30 were made, hand-crafted by French atelier Pinel & Pinel, priced at an impressive US$45.000.

In the gifting sector, a Krug hatbox is now available, on sale at Sherry-Lehmann in New York for US$479.75 and designed to hold three bottles or two gift box cartons, while Fortnum & Mason in London has a commemorative tercentenary luxury hamper available for delivery by horse and cart for £20,000.

Lastly for the Krug collector, it teamed up with designer David Linley to produce a limited edition of up to 50 hand-made wooden trays. Each is fashioned from Crown English oak and red leather and the 45cm diameter circular shape represents the ends of the wooden casks used in the production of Krug's Champagnes.

September 28 was the date for the grand unveiling of Pernod Ricard's latest deluxe blended Scotch, Chivas Regal 25 Year Old. The ceremony was held at the New York Public Library with 400 VIP guests from more than 30 countries, including movie stars Julianne Moore , Lucy Liu and Daniel Wu .

The first in a series of international launches, New York was chosen as the venue to reflect its historical links with Chivas. The first Chivas Regal blend, also a 25 Year Old, was shipped from Aberdeen to New York in 1909, proving an instant hit on the Big Apple's social scene and springboarding its international popularity.

At the September event, the new Chivas 25 was piped in by pipers of the 25 Fire Department of New York, followed by a tutored tasting by master blender Colin Scott. Chivas Brothers chairman and chief executive, Christian Porta, commented: "Thanks to the exceptional Chivas Brothers inventory laid down many years ago, we have been able to create a rare and prestigious blend of the finest aged whiskies which will satisfy today's thirst for the finest luxury products."

Retailing in the US domestic market at $299, Chivas 25 has subsequently been launched in other cities around the US, including Chicago, Los Angeles and Miami, as well as in the UK, Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Brazil, Poland and Thailand. More launches will follow in 2008.

In travel retail, Chivas 25 was launched the day after the New York party at unveiling events at DFS, DFA and International Shoppes at JFK airport, following a week-long teaser campaign.

The first bottle purchased was then shipped to Singapore Changi airport, arriving on October 1 for the First in Asia celebrations.

First out of the blocks in January, Chivas Brothers announced the revitalisation of its premium gin brand Beefeater, acquired in a lacklustre state in the Allied Domecq break-up in 2005. The Forever London campaign focused on Beefeater's status as the last remaining major gin brand distilled in the UK capital, using stylised ad executions featuring iconic London features such as red buses, black taxi cabs and Parliament.

The relaunch also featured redesigned packaging, giving the Beefeater bottle a stronger, squarer shape and a redrawn Yeoman Warder figure to complement the Tower of London-shaped back label

To promote the new identity, Chivas Bros initiated a global support platform entitled Londonize, aiming to bring well-known elements of London to life in consumer events around the world. In Spain - a major focus, thanks to sales volumes of more than one million 9-litre cases - June saw the Beefeater London Market in Madrid, featuring 35 stalls transported mainly from the world-renowned Portobello market.

Similar activity has been held in the US, UK, Italy - Londonize branded buses, telephone boxes and pavement art - and in the Czech Republic, Sweden, Bulgaria and Denmark.

Pernod Ricard's Scotch and premium gin arm, Chivas Brothers, announced in May a E40m global campaign, taking in the whole Ballantine's range for the first time in many years. The intention is to put clear water between Ballantine's and its near rival from the Diageo camp, J&B Rare, which sits just above Ballantine's as the world's second biggest selling Scotch whisky brand.

The campaign, entitled Leave an Impression, ran first in key markets including Germany, Brazil, Spain and Australia and is currently rolling out to as many as 60 more. A central element is a TV and cinema advert, filmed in Buenos Aires and entitled Underground Music, in which a man in his early 30s relaxes in a plush underground chamber and, inspired by his favourite whisky, pipes opera music out to the street.

"The campaign is all about individuality," said Ballantine's Finest and 12 Year Old brand director, Peter Moore, at the time of the launch. "It's about leaving an impression by being true to yourself and living ... with a strong sense of originality, charisma and style."

In support of the new campaign, Ballantine's 12 Year Old was relaunched with new packaging in September, bringing it into line with the styling of the rest of the brand portfolio and giving "one consistent global identity". The 12 Year Old is seen as providing an essential bridge between entry-level Ballantine's Finest and its older 17, 21 and 30 Year Old extensions, targeting premium whisky drinkers in their early thirties.

The world's favourite single malt Scotch flexed its muscles in the spring of 2007, with owner William Grant launching a wholesale repackaging of the range and a new brand identity, supported by an unprecedented investment of £23 million in a communications platform around the world.

The Every Year Counts campaign is designed to bring in new customers and to encourage existing Glenfiddich drinkers to trade up through the range of older variants . "Our aim is to achieve a much more emotional bond with the product," says the company's Rory Steel.

"Every Year Counts is something that translates easily in other markets," adds Steel. "It will be particularly relevant in Asian markets for the Chinese New Year."

The campaign focuses primarily on the seven key markets for Glenfiddich - the US and UK, Taiwan, China, Spain, Canada and Russia - targeting in particular its core of male drinkers aged 35-50 .

With a series of executions such as A Day is a New Idea; A Year is a

New Era, the marketing message parallels the years it takes to produce a bottle of Glenfiddich with the span of time it can take to realise one's goals in life .

While the campaign is supported by all forms of media, including TV, print, outdoor advertising and tasting events, the revamped

glenfiddich.com website is a key element. "Online will be a very big part of it," Steel says, "to get into a two-way dialogue with our consumer and make them feel special."

The end goal is for Glenfiddich to be the first single malt brand to sell one million cases in a year, starting from its current level just under 900,000 cases. At the time of the relaunch in March, Steven Sturgeon, William Grant global marketing director, said: "2007 is the year we reassert our position as the brand leader."

It's been a Scotch-rich year. Some commentators have even ventured to suggest there are too many producers releasing too many super-premium specials, but everyone wants a slice of the premium pie and it's growing every year, led by the Asian and other developing markets.

In a year in which the clear leader in the Scotch malt whisky sector embarked on a complete overhaul and relaunch, producers such as Ian Macleod can consider themselves unlucky not to be in the DI Dozen awards for excellence. The company launched additions to its flagship Glengoyne malt range throughout the year, including repackaged 10, 17 and 21 Year Olds; new Shiraz Cask Finish and Vintage 1972 malts; and Burnfoot, a travel retail special .

The 2007 DI Dozen is dominated by Pernod Ricard brands - Chivas 25, Ballantine's and Beefeater gin from the Chivas Brothers group and Stolichnaya vodka. Timing-wise it's hardly surprising - it's now a little more than two years since the French giant acquired numerous major brands in the carve-up of the former Allied Domecq empire, and the company's devolved structure permits each brand to compete equally .

As a result, there are no Diageo brands in the Dozen this year. The world's biggest drinks company has, to an extent, been focusing on the long-term potential of developing Scotch whisky markets with a £100 million investment in its Scottish malt and grain distilling facilities. But there have been other highlights. Diageo Asia Pacific became the company's fourth global region in February, then J&B Rare began a £10 million global campaign, Start A Party, in April when the Johnnie Walker Blue Label King George V extension was also launched. A nd Johnnie Walker sales had, for the first time, exceeded 15 million cases in the financial year 2007.

Pernod Ricard has made public its desire to purchase the Stolichnaya brand outright. As part of its Choose Authenticity global brand platform launched in 2007, the French company's Stolichnaya Brand Organisation commissioned US-based drinks industry figure David Wondrich to conduct archive research into Stolichnaya's history.

Prior to the main event planned as a result of the research - Rise Up and Join the Party, held in London on June 27 - the company hosted an event on the exclusive Ile de Bendor, a private island owned by Paul Ricard off the coast of the south of France. Specially invited drinks and bar industry figures were treated to a recreation of Stolichnaya cocktails dating back to the early 20th century.

At the Rise Up and Join the Party event itself - which won a gold medal in the Best New Event category at the Eventia UK awards in November - top bartenders were invited from as far afield as Australia, Mexico and the US. As well as a presentation by Wondrich, guests could view key historical brand facts about Stolichnaya in separate room installations and take on a Russian grandmaster at chess.

While some have questioned the wisdom of basing the marketing of any brand around iconographic art from Russia's Stalinist era, Stolichnaya has also opened a constructivist art-themed bar at the Fifth Floor Bar at Harvey Nichols in London, intended to be the home of the Choose Authenticity campaign. Plans are under way for a series of on-trade nights at which bartenders can experiment with a Rotavapour machine to create their own infusions and cocktails.

The vodka brand launched in 1998 by billionaire entrepreneur Roustam Tariko certainly appears to have the might of the Russian government behind it. "Russian Standard cannot be compared to anything else - it is simply unbeatable," said Yuri Ushakov, ambassador of the Russian Federation to the US, at the April US launch of Russian Standard Original at the Russian Embassy in Washington DC. "What is special about it is its Russian spirit and Russian taste. This is indeed the best vodka in the world," he added.

In June came the announcement of the Pure Russian advertising campaign in the US, with its tagline claim The No1 Premium Vodka in Russia pitting it directly, and aggressively, against rival Stolichnaya's Choose Authenticity campaign.

A clutch of international launches followed. Russian Standard Platinum was launched in India in August; October saw the full Russian Standard portfolio rolled out in the UK and France, a listing with state monopoly Alko in Finland and a launch in Slovenia. Russian Standard products are now available in more than 40 markets.

October also saw the launch of an international TV ad campaign comprising six mini-films directed by Michael Haussman. In the same month the brand embarked on a major nightlife event promotion across Germany, featuring music events scheduled to reach 10,000 club-goers across 10 German cities, and including headline sponsorship of the 2007 GQ Men of the Year awards in Munich.

The messages coming out of the industry are quite contradictory in regard to the health of the gin sector. Volume sales statistics indicate a market that has been static or in slow decline for a number of years, with little change predicted for the future. But talk to global players and there is tremendous optimism, with premium brands seeing double-digit growth and a plethora of boutique-style products entering the market.

This is because it is mainly the standard mass-market local brands, which comprise nearly 80 per cent of all sales, that are suffering while premium brands are growing - by an impressive 46 per cent between 2001 and 2005.

According to the Gin & Vodka Association, global sales of gin are approximately 50 million cases per annum by volume, of which a massive 43.5 per cent is consumed in the Philippines. Here domestically produced spirits dominate (representing around 98 per cent) but, as the brand shares chart shows, volume sales of Ginebra San Miguel, by far the biggest Philippines gin brand, are falling year on year. Spain is the largest gin-drinking country in Europe but, like the Philippines, is dominated by domestic brands, such as Larios, which account for some 75 per cent of sales and, again, it is these sales which are suffering. Beefeater is the leading single imported white spirit in Spain and it is here that the brand is concentrating its advertising spend, with campaigns based on its London provenance paying dividends.

So while volumes may be slipping at the lower end of the market, value is increasing in countries where international premium and super-premium brands are driving growth - albeit not on quite the same scale as vodka.

In the EU, for example, gin sales were up 3.2 per cent in Italy last year but down by 6.8 per cent in France, 2.8 per cent in Germany and 2.2 per cent in Spain. But the latter typifies the market: local brands declined whil e the imported premiums flourished.

In the rest of the world, the message has been similar. The imported premium segment has increased in all the significant markets: by 455 per cent in China, 79 per cent in India, 29 per cent in Russia and 8.9 per cent in the US.

"It's a classic case of a sector that is premiumising," says Nick Blacknell, brand director for Pernod Ricard's Beefeater . "When a lot of the really top bartenders see it as the sexy new white spirit, I think inevitably that filters back through to the public - as it did with premium vodkas."

Blacknell believes the industry is starting to see gin as a n attractive sector and, judging by the number of recent launches, this does appear to be the case.

Among new brands in the States is Aviation , causing a stir with its unusual botanical balance which allows lavender to overpower the traditional juniper flavour.

By the very nature of the way it is produced, every gin is unique in flavour and aroma and this very characteristic is at the heart of a trend to use obscure ingredients as a point of brand differentiation.

The success of Hendrick's Gin, launched by William Grant & Sons in 2000, for example, has been built on the brand's quirky apothecary bottle and unique flavour, derived from the addition of essences of cucumber and rose petal to the distillation of 11 botanicals. Its recent Victorian Times advertising theme has a distinctly feminine feel, as has another gin from Scotland - Pink 47 London Dry Gin from Old St Andrews, launched in June last year.

"Consumers generally know very little about what's in gin, compared with Scotch, for example," says Blacknell. "The whisky distillers have done a better job than the gin sector in communicating this.

"Although most consumers are aware that juniper should be the dominant flavouring in a London gin, they get confused when you start talking about other ingredients and there's a danger that if gin plays too much to individual flavours it leaves the gin sector and enters the flavoured vodka sector. You risk ending up with products that are a bit of a hybrid. On the flip side, unusual botanicals, if used well as a marketing strategy, can really add interest to the sector. But overdone and over-emphasised they can be potentially confusing for consumers.

"Gin is a mixture of flavours from botanicals and the core proposition you're trying to achieve is that they are all in harmony and balance, A distiller will say it is fine to have a little accent or add an additional flavour for complexity, but when it starts to take over the entire flavour of the gin it is no longer a gin , more a flavoured spirit.

"However, it is innovation and nobody will deny the sector needs innovation." Some of the new gins may have broken some of the rules but in so doing they have picked up more younger drinkers than gin has historically had.

Provenance is a huge global trend for food and drink generally and gin is no exception. Organic produce is also fashionable and, perhaps a little ahead of its time, Juniper Green was launched in 1999 with the claim it was the world's first organic gin. Produced for The Organic Spirits Company by Thames Distillers in south London, it is distilled from organic grain and botanical s.

The way gin is drunk varies according to the country. In Spain, says Blacknell, most Beefeater drinkers are under 35 and drink it not as an aperitif but as a party drink late at night - a totally different perspective to the UK where a G&T still has a middle-class, slightly dowdy image. In the US it is drunk in a martini rather than with tonic.

Bacardi's premium gin brand Bombay Sapphire has also seen double-digit sales growth year on year. It has a distinctly different, light and crisp infusion of flavours achieved from "steaming rather than boiling" the botanicals. " An increasing number of discerning consumers seek out food and drink which has been created with care and attention - from the sourcing of the ingredients to the type of production process used," says Andrew Carter, global brand director. "The contemporary blue bottle and refined flavour helped regenerate the gin category by attracting this new, younger, more discerning audience looking to trade up to premium brands with a point of difference."

Gary Chau, global marketing director for Bacardi global travel retail division, adds: "Travel has allowed people to experience many more flavours and learn about different products. As with wine there are many different styles to experience and people enjoy discovering things and imparting their knowledge. Gin is an interesting category from many levels. In the 1700 s it was one of the most popular spirits in the world. Today, mixologists find it more interesting than vodka and I think a big resurgence will occur - it is starting already in key places where there's a leading cocktail culture (London, New York, Miami, San Francisco and LA). Fashion is cyclical - when consumers start to tire of a category they will look to something new."

Diageo is also very positive about the outlook for gin. Within the Diageo portfolio of gins, Tanqueray is at the premium end with Tanqueray London Dry Gin and Tanqueray No Ten, but Gordon's continues to be the world's best selling gin brand - outside the Philippines.

"Encouragingly, both brands are in growth in markets around the world ," says Charles Allen, global portfolio brand director at Diageo. "I think the whole trend in premiumisation in spirits is having an impact on the gin category and this is something we're taking full advantage of with Tanqueray No Ten."

Allen believes the emphasis on the ingredients in gin is important, but not so much as its English or London heritage, which is heavily played upon by Beefeater . "Gin is a white spirit and there is huge competition in this market segment - most notably vodka. The great point of differentiation that gin can deliver is this subtlety of taste, the range of flavours and the nuances that consumers can pick out within the gin flavour profile," he says.

Diageo has a lot of experience in how to communicate what the various aromas and flavours in a spirit bring to the drinking experience through its work in Scotch whiskies.

"If we look at what's happened in the top-end vodka market with brands like Belvedere and Grey Goose, they are offering a n often luxurious or glamorous drinking experience. What they lack in that territory is the genuine aspects of flavour. Of course, vodka producers will always talk about purity and smoothness - that is OK, but at the end of the day vodka is an odourless, flavourless product," says Allen.

"Premium gin can overlay some amazing flavours on top of this purity and smoothness, and put the taste back into that drinking experience - and that is something we are going to be driving extremely hard, particularly in the US but also through our Reserve Brands Organisation globally.

"To guarantee the longevity of a category and its brands we have to keep recruiting new generations of consumers . The trends towards premium white spirits and cocktails offer opportunities for gin, and it's encouraging that the category is becoming more competitive with new entrants, such as Hendrick's, and the continued competitiveness of Bombay Sapphire. This can only be good for the category."

In 1996, when the Winemakers' Federation of Australia published Strategy 2025, it outlined how a target of AU$4.5 billion in annual wine sales would be achieved by 2025. The "Old" wine-consuming world watched in amazement as Australia thundered into the UK, then US and other markets, beating its own target figure some 20 years ahead of schedule in 2005.

During that period the overwhelming sense in Australia was of great confidence, with producers and growers clambering over each other in the rush to create new labels and wines. Rises in exports of 17 -18 per cent year on year were sustained for over a decade, driving a buoyant, creative and thriving industry.

But sometimes an army's lightning advance can happen so fast that both strategy and supply lines need radical rethinking. Brand Australia, faced with rapidly maturing key markets, had to regroup to consider its next move. Few realised this was the beginning of a roller coaster ride.

Downward price pressures resulting from a discount culture around the big brand leaders, underpinned by domestic and global over supply of grapes, plus increasing competition from both Old and New World producers, had already conspired to produce cracks in the normally optimistic psyche of the Australian industry. Then, as Australia's phenomenal growth began to slow, a combination of drought and frost brought about some severely reduced harvests, with further drastic reduction in volume predicted for 2008 and even 2009. To the dismay of the Australians, times had become tougher still.

Of all the alcohol categories, beer remains the toughest nut to crack with a female audience. Yet there is a spark of change in the brewing air and a sense that the traditional beardy profile of the real ale drinker might finally be facing a challenge.

While the most high-profile female consumer to give beer the nod has been Madonna, who famously likes a pint of Timothy Taylor's Landlord, a real ale from Yorkshire, there have been a few moves in favour of women behind the scenes, too.

Top beer writer Martin Cornell points out that the notion of beer as a male domain is something of a modern myth. Indeed, in the days when beer was safer to drink than water, women were its guardians. "In the Middle Ages, most brewers were women," Cornell says. "But as it became a full-time profession the men took over ."

He adds that: " When hopped beer arrived from the continent in the 15th century and gradually replaced unhopped ale, because the hopped version of the drink kept longer, and thus could be made in greater quantities and sold to a wider area, brewing changed from a domestic occupation to a professional one, and the men muscled in."

Northern Europe in particular has historically been a bastion of female involvement in brewing, a tradition carried on in Belgium in the latter part of the 20th century by the legendary Rosa Blancquaert at Liefmans - famed for its kriek cherry beer - and Claude Rosier-Allard, great-granddaughter of Brasserie Dupont founder Alfred Dupont.

Indeed a large part of the Belgian Brewers Association's September 2006 Beer Weekend event in Brussels was dedicated to women, both consumers and those involved in the industry. And in research carried out during the same year by Belgium's Beer & Society Information Centre, one in four of 6,765 respondents were women. Nearly 45 per cent agreed that women do not appreciate bitter flavours in beer, and more than 80 per cent said that women enjoy fruity and light beers such as kriek and wheat beer.

Female brewers - or brewsters, as they used to be known in the UK - are starting to increase in numbers, certainly in the UK and the States (albeit in a proportionately very small way), and England's Campaign for Real Ale is trumpeting female consumers as "the future of ale".

So what is going on in this most male of male bastions?

While there are plenty of women on the technical side of brewing in the UK, and many holding top jobs in the industry, estimates put the current number of hands-on female brewers at only around the dozen mark. One of these is Springhead's master brewer Shirley Reynolds, and she is convinced the numbers are set to grow.

"We are getting into everything and realising we can do it," she says. But she is also conscious there is still "a lot of resistance to women in the industry". Reynolds started out in a sales job at the brewery in 1999, "but the call of getting my hands dirty and getting involved in brewing was too strong". A brewing course in Sunderland was the tipping point - and she and the head brewer at the time returned from their tutorings to Springhead in reversed roles.

Much is made of the physicality of the job, which is often cited as a reason women shouldn't be brewers. Teri Fahrendorf, who spent 19 years as a professional brewer and 17 years as Steelhead's brewmaster in Oregon, US, is now on a "13,000-mile road trip of brewing adventure and beer exploration", as the Road Brewer. She cites one example of how the physical demands were used against her early in her career.

"One brewer asked me over the phone: 'Can you carry a full half-barrel up a flight of steps?' I said, 'No. That's 160 pounds and nobody should do that. I would get a hand truck and drag the half-barrel up the steps.' He responded: 'Sorry, we require all our brewers to be able to carry a half-barrel up a flight of steps. ' That brewer visited me days before Steelhead opened when all my beers were on tap and ready to go. He said incredulously, 'Wow. Your beers are good!'."

Indeed, there is a booming microbrewing industry across the US and Fahrendorf has documented 43 women brewers to date in that industry on her website.

Jo White, brewer at Worthington White Shield in the grounds of the brewing museum in Burton upon Trent, England, since 1994, doesn't see strength as an issue either. "We can lift nine gallons above waist height. You have to do the work, and you don't turn up in high heels!"

White's experience in a microbrewery that is part of the huge Coors stable has been more inclusive than that of Reynolds. She feels part of "a happy family". "If I need any help or ingredients, I go to the lads across the road."

She got into brewing from being a tour guide for the museum and is very upbeat about the way women are starting to see beer. "There are definitely more women drinking beer and when they do come into it on the microbrewery side they will be hands-on fully."

One of the first beers she brewed was St Mordwens (4.2 per cent abv), "designed for the ladies" at the behest of Camra, which currently has its first female chair in the shape of Paula Waters. "Camra wanted us to brew a beer for the girls to drink," White says, pointing out that one of the reasons she became a brewer was because she had never found a beer she liked. "When you understand what happens to the malt and the hops you can design your own beer."

Sandy Kruger made history when she became South Africa's first woman brewer after joining SABMiller in 1998 as a technical trainee. She echoes White's sentiments about the industry: "My colleagues and SAB are very supportive of the development of women as brewers. And the number of women taking up brewing as a profession is steadily increasing."

It certainly is at SAB - there are 23 women among its 65 brewers, ranging from trainees to senior executives, and 10 of the 13 trainee brewers are women.

It may be the creative approach these women take to brewing that is starting to turn the tide in favour of women beer drinkers. Agreeing with the 2006 Belgian survey, Fahrendorf says: "I think it is true that men have a higher 'bitter' tolerance, and women have a higher 'sour' tolerance, and both biases may cause certain beverage choices.

"The brewers who keep boosting the IBU (International Bittering Units) in their beers are generally men. I call it 'testosterone-driven hop one-upmanship'. You don't generally see women brewers jumping on that bandwagon, although it is possible. This may be changing: now that hops are in short supply and the price has already tripled, you may see formerly hop-macho men brewers backing off on their bittering levels in order to conserve precious hops."

Reynolds agrees there may be differences in the palates of women and men, and says Springhead has tried to direct her Roaring Meg brew at women. "Some brewers make a beer that's so bitter that, to my palate, it's horrible. Recently someone asked me if there was a difference between men's palates and women's. I'm not sure, because I've never had a man's palate, but all my beer is suited to my palate and hopefully a lot of other females, too."

So where from here for women and beer? Back in August, Camra's UK research suggested that "the ale market is in recovery after a dozen years of decline, and consumers are turning away from global brands in favour of local and regional real ales". The organisation said it was "calling on brewers to make beers more appealing to women in its campaign to revitalise the real ale market" and pointed out that 25 per cent of its 87,000-strong membership are women.

Chair Paula Waters said: "Beer is marketed at men, and therefore there has been very little to interest women. When is the last time you saw any press or a TV advert for beer which is meant to attract women? At best they are inoffensively aimed at men and at worst they are downright patronising to women. More and more we see products that have been traditionally aimed at one gender - such as skincare products or cars - increasingly aimed at the other sex with great results. If breweries and pubs were to involve and educate women drinkers, then they could tap into a massive market and further the real ale revolution."

It might finally be time for women to start reclaiming the tradition they lost to men all those years ago.

While the Chilean wine industry is still best known among consumers for soft, fruity, easy-to-drink red wines, things are changing.

Two emerging themes are cool-climate wines and Sauvignon Blanc. Forget growing grapes in near-perfect conditions along the flat valleys watered by rivers swollen with Andean snow melt. Cool climate is the new viticultural buzz for Chilean winemakers and Sauvignon Blanc is the variety leading the charge. Better, more suitable clones and vineyards perched on hillsides away from the warm is where it's at.

The main established cool-climate area is Casablanca to the west of capital city Santiago, but up and coming is the San Antonio valley with its sub division, Leyda. It lies just south of Casablanca, closer to the ocean where foggy mornings are good for keeping the vines and grapes cool with good acidity.

There has been a rush to buy land in San Antonio, but water is a limiting factor as the area does not have its own river.

Further north there are the Elqui and Limarí regions, paradoxically arid, but cool. They should be too hot but, thanks to the cold Humboldt Current and the shape of the valleys, cool air is sucked in from the coast. Also, parts of Elqui go up to an altitude of 2,000m.

Then there is Bío Bío down in the deep south, although it is not seen as a primary source of Sauvignon Blanc because it is wetter and colder.

Michael Cox, head of Wines of Chile UK, sum s it up: "There is a changing mindset. Winemakers are looking for freshness, good acidity and, yes, some tropical fruit, but not as pungent as some New World competitors. They are looking for an evolving Chilean style of Sauvignon. The desire is to get a vibrant style but still Chilean - not New Zealand or the Loire."

In the unenlightened past there was a tendency to lump together all spirits produced in the Latin American region , simply as mixers to go with lime and perhaps soda in some kind of cocktail.

While it's true that tequila, pisco and cachaça all have traditional drinking rituals involving lime, we're actually talking about three very distinct categories of drink with their own identities: tequila, the unique product of the Weber blue agave; pisco, a grape brandy made either from Quebranta, an unassuming black grape imported from Spain, or from a number of aromatic varieties such as Moscatel or Albilla (and skipping over the argument between Peru and Chile over which invented it); and cachaça, Brazil's signature sugar cane spirit.

The judges at the DI Latin American Challenge certainly relished the opportunity to taste the three categories side by side. "I was surprised by the variety in the cachaças in particular," said Paul Matthew. "There were some very different styles from a bartender's point of view. It makes a nice change from the sweetness of rum with its grassy, savoury character."

With five Golds and two Trophies, the strongest performer was tequila, not unexpectedly. Said Matthew: "Drinkers seem open to trying new tequilas. It's not just the bartenders' choice." The cachaças put in a solid performance though, clocking up seven Silvers among both white and gold styles, but the rising star of the day was pisco Mistral Nobel from Companhia Pisquera de Chile. The judges were so impressed that they awarded it a Trophy.

In all, six Golds, 15 Silvers and nine Bronze medals out of 41 entrants reflected the strength of the field on the day.

Paul Hobbs had stars in his eyes. Not because he was dreaming of Robert Parker or Wine Spectator points for his wines, but because as a child he wanted to be an astronomer. The 54-year-old was destined for medical school - following in the footsteps of his great grandfather - but his father had other ideas. He got the young Paul to taste a 1962 Château d'Yquem, pouring it into Dixie paper cups at the dinner table and then, in concert with the impressionable young man's botany professor at the university of Notre Dame, he encouraged him to take a year out - much against his mother's wishes. As a result of his new-found passion, young Hobbs had an apple orchard at the family farm grubbed up and replanted with a vineyard.

Moët & Chandon may be the world's most successful Champagne brand, but its performance shows some surprising variances across different European markets, according to data from Vinitrac Global.

In the UK its position is very strong, with the highest awareness levels of any Champagne brand (82 per cent) and the highest conversion rate (the proportion of people aware of a brand who have bought it in the past six months) of 24 per cent.

In Denmark and Norway, however, only a third of consumers have heard of the brand and only around one in nine of these consumers say they have bought it recently. In part this is due to variance in the market position of Champagne generally, versus other forms of sparkling wine, particularly cava. It could also be to do with local distribution issues.

Richard Halstead

operations director

wineintelligence.com

Wine writers Hugh Johnson and Oz Clarke recently stated that vintages are no longer an important factor in winemaking. Were they wrong to make this generalisation?

There are 303 million people in the U S and each year four million will turn 21, enabling them to legally consume alcoholic drinks. Thirty per cent of 25 year olds will gain a bachelor of arts degree and, despite the weak dollar at the moment, real income is 50 per cent higher than it was in 1970. This is the mother of all consumer markets.

The US alcohol beverage industry is a 3.2 billion 9-litre case market worth US$176 billion in retail sales (source: Adams 2006). Beer dominates US drinking, accounting for 85 per cent of the total case volume. But on dollar retail sales alone, wine and spirits fare better with 33 and 15 per cent shares, respectively. Over the last five years, consumption of wine has grown by 21.5 per cent and spirits by 17.5 per cent, but beer consumption has been fairly flat with 2.7 per cent growth.

John Beaudette, president of importer/distributor MHW, Mike Ginley, president of Next Level Marketing, and Steve Raye and Jeff Grindrod, managing partners of Brand Action Team, are experienced executives, all of whom have worked for major drinks companies in the US. They are now consultants advising on and assisting in placing new products into the US market with its complicated three-tier system of importer/ shipper, wholesaler and retailer. Last autumn they staged a conference in London regarding the drinks sector in the US (usdrinks conference.com.).

Ginley says the total alcoholic beverages market grew in 2006 by 1.6 per cent volume with spirits growing at 3.7 per cent, wine at 3.4 per cent and beer at 1.3 per cent - with dollar sales growing faster than volume, indicating a move to premium products.

While consumption is overwhelmingly at home (off-premise/trade) at around 75 per cent, the drinking of premium brands is more skewed to restaurants, bars and clubs (on-premise) and the growth in wine and spirits drinking in restaurants and bars is higher at 5.1 and 6.7 per cent, against beer at 2.3 per cent.

The top 10 states (see panel) account for 60 per cent of wine volume, 54 per cent of total beer and 52 per cent of spirits.

Franco Luxardo's introduction into the drinks industry was more dramatic than most. He was still a boy at the end of World War II, when three family members were killed by communist partisans led by the future president Tito of Yugoslavia and the remainder of the family driven into exile in Italy.

Though the family's roots are in Italy, the family liqueur business was founded in 1821 in what is now Croatia, but was then part of the greater republic of Venice.

Franco entered the business in the early 60s after being sent abroad to learn about the world and hone his impeccable English - including an enlightening spell in the Mormon community of Salt Lake City.

Today the company supplies its 62 export markets out of a distillery in the village of Torreglia in the Veneto region of northern Italy, built by Franco's father, Giorgio, 60 years ago.

Franco says: "He chose a rural area because of the quality of the water ; the soil, which is perfect for growing the cherries for the maraschino liqueur; and, in case there was another war, it wouldn't get bombed."

At 71, Franco's the patriarchal head of the company, though he still uses the title export manager, a nod to the dimension he's given to the business in more than four decades of service.

"The big responsibilities are shared and whether you're called the president, the general manager or something else it doesn't mean a lot. The salaries are the same for everyone - but with a little bit extra for age."

Franco fell into the export role because "I knew languages better than my cousins and we needed to export".

He adds: "The market in Italy was limited and there was a lot of competition.

"We were always told by the previous generations that we used to export a lot, so why didn't we try it again?"

Canada was one of the first export markets he cracked and remains the company's second most important market today.

"I realised Canada, with the liquor boards, was very much about doing business on a personal level, because you have one buyer for the state who was also dealing with the distributors, so if you have them on your side you're in with a good chance.

"I just kept going back, year after year, until they agreed to take our products."

For a long time the family had to cope with rival products from Yugoslavia using its name in international markets.

"We had to fight to defend ourselves because what we had there had been confiscated, including our labels, which were being used by another producer controlled by the government.

"They were using our labels and selling them in Switzerland, Germany and France. It took at least 20 years but we managed to overcome that."

The UK has been one of Luxardo's most successful markets - particularly for sambuca, where distributor Cellar Trends claims a 72 per cent share for the on-premise sector.

The market has been opened up b y promoting "shot-tails" - layered mixes of sambuca and other liqueurs from the range that stretch usage of Luxardo's products away from their origins.

"Shot-tails are an excellent idea," Franco says diplomatically, "but I like my sambuca as a digestif.

"The shot is very English. In Italy, even the word doesn't exist. The closest we have is il senso russo, which means 'in the Russian way'."

The secret to success, he believes, is to adapt to the conditions of different markets, which is relatively easy to do with a range of more than 30 liqueur and grappa products in the portfolio.

"In Japan, the anise-based products aren't so well-liked. It's more about amaretto, maraschino and the espresso coffee liqueur."

Distributors are chosen carefully to fit the Luxardo profile.

"Traditionally, we've tried to get together with family-owned companies because it gives you continuity," he says. "With multinationals, it's a mess because they change personnel every six months and don't have a personal feel for the business."

Greece, the Netherlands, Russia, Ukraine and Argentina all presumably have agents with a good feel for the business, as Franco picks them out as current export highlights for Luxardo.

It's an understandable stance to take, given what the family firm has taken to get to where it is. "It's rare to see it through three generations like this," says Franco, with some pride.

== Product ==

At the end of one year and the start of the next it's always interesting to look back on past events while considering future challenges and opportunities.

This new year we await with interest the outcome of the year-long and seemingly on-going speculation over the two massive drinks businesses up for grabs - Vin & Sprit and Scottish & Newcastle - and in which stable their respective brands will end up. (Don't forget you can keep abreast of all the daily news as it happens on drinksint.com.)

Every January Drinks International features its DI Dozen (see p 41-44). These annual awards for excellence recognise 12 drinks brands which, in the opinion of the DI editorial team, have made an outstanding difference in terms of marketing during the previous year. They also act as a barometer for the industry and highlight any prevailing trends.

As with last year's DI Dozen, our observation this year has been the continuing move towards premiumisation across all categories, but especially spirits. In white spirits vodka has been leading the march and is expected to do so for some years to come. But now, as bartenders and consumers start to question provenance and look for flavour differentiation in cocktails, gin is making a comeback with some brands seeing double-digit growth, albeit on a small scale compared with vodka and only at the premium end of the market (see p36).

Top quality tequilas, piscos, cachaças and rums from South America, Mexico and the Caribbean are also becoming increasingly fashionable in style bars, and this prompted Drinks International to hold, at the close of last year, a Latin American Spirits Challenge and a Rums of the Caribbean Challenge.

In this issue (p26) we feature the winning tequilas, piscos, cachaças and, in February, the very best rums from the Caribbean region.

We hope these and all the tastings and challenges we have planned for the coming months will help you discover something new and exciting in 2008.

Brand owner Gireau Corporation

Produced in France

Size 70cl

Price £23, €33 , US$42

A bv 40

Markets UK, Europe, US

Contact: enquiries@gireau.com

Gireau Vodka is described as a superior quality sipping vodka that has been distilled four times from grain "harvested from the wheat fields of northern France with locally sourced spring water".

The packaging plays on the days of Napoleon, when French vodka was hailed as the finest and smoothest in the world . On the label is one of Napoleon's favoured emblems - a bee, the symbol of industry, efficiency and productivity.

Th is is the first of a planned range of premium spirits distilled in France from owner/distributer the Gireau Corporation, a small, independent company.

Tasting notes describe the vodka as "noticeably viscous with a full body and refreshingly clean foretaste, followed by a smooth finish. Soft and velvety, neutral and exceptionally gentle on the palate".

Serve neat, straight from the freezer.

Brand owner Pernod Ricard

Produced in France

Size 70cl

Price S$99

Abv 40

Markets Asia -Pacific duty-free

Contact: alexandre.ricard@pernod-ricard-asia.com

Martell has launched a limited-edition VSOP presentation pack to celebrate its partnership with Château de Versailles.

The long-term sponsorship runs until 2012, aiming to promote shared values of French heritage, individual character and luxury, and provide the historical site with funding of some additional E 800,000 for restoration and events.

To mark the occasion, Martell has produced an exclusive pack design for its VSOP Medallion Cognac. In commemoration of Louis XIV - the Sun King - the pack comprises a bottle screen-printed with the emblem of the Sun King that sits in a gold-lined carton which opens up like the rays of a sun.

Brand owner Romain Bouchard

Produced in France

Size 75cl

Price €17.95, £15.99 -£17.99, US$38

A bv 12.5

Markets UK, US, Denmark, France and Holland

Contact export@pascalbouchard.com


This is said to be a new wine with a new style, packaging and target audience from Pascal Bouchard's eldest son, Romain.

The 32 -year -old took over the 3.37 h a domain, having rejoined the company in 2000, and has begun its official conversion to organic viticulture.

Aimed at Chablis lovers, the grapes were hand harvested in 2006 from the 2.82 ha planted , yielding 53 h l per h a . The average age of the vines is 27 and it produced 19,850 bottles last October.

Brand owner Diageo

Produced in Northern Ireland

Size 70cl and 75cl in the US

Price £49 , E69 , US$99

A bv 46

Markets US, Ireland, France and travel retail for 2008. Exclusive to travel retail and Bushmills Distillery shop as of 2009

Contact maria.a.kennedy@diageo.com

Diageo has kicked off the 400th anniversary celebrations for Bushmills, its Northern Irish whiskey, with the launch of blend 1608.

Created using a high percentage of malted barley and triple distilled, the whiskey will be available across Bushmills' key markets from February, but due to limited quantities it will only be distributed through global travel retail, as well as the distillery shop, from 2009.

Diageo is investing £6 million in the Bushmills brand and has tripled production over the past two years, hoping to take it to 5 million litres by this summer.

Brand owner Pascual Toso

Produced in Argentina

Size 75cl

Price £13.99

Abv 14.4

Markets UK initially

Contact stratfordwine.co.uk

A new wine has emerged from consultant winemaker Paul Hobbs, who divides the majority of his time between California and Argentina. While most people are enthusing about Argentinian Malbec, Hobbs has come up with a Syrah and a 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon. Both are worth investigating. Syrah is not that common place in Argentia and this comes from the Barrancas vineyard in the Maipú district of Mendoza. Hand harvested, the wine is matured in stainless steel for 10 to 14 months. Forty per cent is then matured in oak barrels for 10 months. The wine displays excellent, ripe dark fruit with characteristic Syrah pepper iness and a note of coffee.

Brand owner Ian Macleod Distillers

Produced in Scotland

Size 70cl

Price £90-£125, E132-E175

Abv 59.6/54.2

Markets Worldwide, except the US

Contact glengoyne.com

Ian Macleod Distillers has unveiled two limited-edition Glengoyne single malts. It is producing 296 bottle s of a 14 Year Old and 592 of a 20 Year Old. The company says a hand-picked team of experts convened at the distillery and the expressions were personally approved by distillery manager Robbie Hughes.

The 14 Year Old, which was aged in American oak sherry hogshead, is said to smell like a runaway dessert trolley doused in sherry, while the 20 Year Old, which was aged in Spanish oak sherry butts, boasts notes of rosehip syrup, sherry, raisins, pepper, marzipan and almonds.

They join the 10 Year Old, 12 Year Old cask strength, 17 and 21 Year Old.

Brand owner ZGM

Produced in Italy

Size 75cl

Price £4.99

Abv 11.5 (white) 13 (red)

Markets UK initially

Contact zgm.de

Belliccia is leading ZGM's charge into the branded wine sector, initially in the UK. The Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (red) and Trebbiano (white) are part of the major German wine producer and packer's claimed £4.8 million investment in the UK alone.

Along with these two light, easy-to-drink Italian wines it is also unveiling Mestizo, a Chilean Sauvignon Blanc, McQuillans, a Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon blend from California, and Palatium, a Pinot Blanc from the Pfalz region of Germany.

In the spring ZGM is to introduce a

low-alcohol, premium wine-based drink called Entwine,m which will have a marketing spend of £2.45 million. This range comprises: Bucks Fizz, Raspberry and Cranberry Fizz (both £4.99), Elderflower Cooler (£3.99), Shiraz Rosé Spritzer (£2.99) and Sauvignon Blanc Spritzer (£2.99).

Brand owner V&S Group

Produced in Sweden

Size 1l

Price As other flavours

Abv 40

Markets US, travel retail then global

Contact vsgroup.com

V&S Absolut Spirits is adding a mango flavour to its range of premium flavoured vodkas, all of which contain only natural ingredients.

Absolut Mango will be available in global travel retail from February 2008. Further information on local launches will be communicated at the time in each market. The date for the US launch is not yet set, but it will be supported by a cross-media advertising campaign.

This new flavour follows hot on the heels of Absolut Pears, introduced this time last year. V&S group chief executive Bengt Baron told Drinks International: "Pears exceeded all expectations in the US and travel retail . It has become our biggest flavour - even bigger than Citron in Sweden. We are confident in the high volume potential of Absolut Mango ."

• La Fée absinthe has released a lower-strength product targeted at price-conscious regional airports and charter airlines. La Fée NV is half the strength of the company's standard 68 per cent abv La Parisienne reference. A 70cl bottle will sell in duty-free at under £20.
  
• Morrison Bowmore Distillers has produced an exclusive limited-edition Bowmore single malt whisky to coincide with the opening of BAA's new London Heathrow Terminal 5 later this year. The new whisky was selected by BAA-owned World Duty Free.
  
• UK operator Alpha Group has opened a refurbished bar at Stockholm's Skavsta airport. The bar is 30m long, serving wines, beers, Champagnes and cocktails, as well as regular promotional activities from brands such as Carlsberg and Absolut.
  
• World Duty Free reports sales of the UK's traditional Christmas tipple Baileys soared by 40 per cent over the weekend of December 14-15. Non-vintage Champagne sales rose 11 per cent, while a trend for trading-up led to an 18 per cent rise for prestige varieties.
  
• William Grant & Sons has produced a rare and exclusive expression of The Balvenie malt whisky for Paris Charles de Gaulle retailer Aelia. The Balvenie Single Cask 1970 is priced at €680 and only 191 bottles are available.
  
• A French luxury food retailer has created a branded wine corner in a new diplomatic shop run by Tunisian operator Hamila Duty Free in downtown Tunis, which opened in November. Wines stocked range in price from €10-€35.
  
  
  
  

Alfa Brands has signed a distribution agreement with Childress Vineyards covering the North American duty-free market .

North Carolina-based Childress Vineyards was set up in 2004 by NASCAR team owner Richard Childress, one of the US stock car racing competition's best-known personalities.

His company owns 100 acres of vineyards and produces more than 30 wines, but the initial selection for duty-free customers will be smaller, concentrating on the winery's proprietary house blends, which in duty-free will range in price from US$10.99-$19.99.

Traditional distribution of Childress' wines has previously been limited to restaurants, liquor stores and grocery stores in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Missouri, Florida and Tennessee. However, the winery does ship nationwide from its online store.

Alfa Brands operations manager Amy Hildreth said: "NASCAR is the fastest growing spectator sport in North America and it has a strong following all over the US and Canada . We are putting together our marketing plans for consumer promotions and we will be offering them to operators on a store-by-store basis."

Japan Airlines (JAL) has listed one of the world's rarest Champagnes, Champagne Salon, in first class on all its flights from Tokyo to London, New York and Paris.

Passengers will be able to try Champagne Salon 1997 before the 100 per cent Chardonnay Champagne is sold domestically in April this year. Only 60,000 bottles of the vintage Champagne have been released.

Created by Eugène Aimé Salon, Champagne Salon is produced in Le Mesnil sur Oger from wines grown in the Côte des Blancs region. The house produces no non-vintage or rosé Champagnes, and new vintages only tend to appear every 10 years.

JAL public relations manager Stephen Pearlman said: "The Japanese have become more adventurous in their wine taste so the importance of offering a wide selection has increased. We're hoping Champagne Salon will become the talk of the town."

Cypriot duty-free operator CTC-ARI Airports plans to upgrade its award-winning Uisge Beatha shop concept when the retailer switches to new airports planned for Paphos and Larnaca.

The company opened the Uisge Beatha malt whisky shops earlier this year at the existing airports serving Paphos and Larnaca. Both are due to be replaced by larger facilities over the next two years. Retail space in Larnaca will increase to 4,000sq m and in Paphos 1,000sq m.

The Uisge Beatha store concept sought to demystify the complex world of malt whisky for new consumers and exploit its collect ability by using highly trained staff, free educational literature and tasting promotions to introduce new consumers to the world of malt.

Uisge Beatha went on to win the coveted industry accolade of Best Speciality Concept Frontier Award at the TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes .

"The shops at the new airports will take whisky retailing to a new level," said CTC-ARI general manager Gerry Crawford.

"I am increasingly struck by the sameness of much of the duty-free retail you encounter at airports worldwide, which is why at the new airports we are going to do something radically different from a whisky perspective. There will be interactive displays and we are going to become very sophisticated in being able to match whiskies with consumers' preferences, which is crucial for gifting."

Crawford added he knew the overall concept would be successful, but was surprised at how well the two existing Uisge Beatha outlets had performed . Top-shelf references such as Glenfiddich 50 Year Old, The Dalmore 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon, Ladyburn 1973, The Macallan 50 Year Old, Tobermory 32 Year Old and The Glenlivet 25 Year Old have been added to fill out the retailer's ultra-premium offer.

"We listed Glenfiddich 50 Year Old, had a bespoke display unit produced and sold the first bottle in nine days, the second bottle in 10 days, and it has gone on from there," said Crawford. "Due to the amazing results in the old and rare [category] we now have companies coming to us with special expressions before they are launched, which is excellent, considering six months ago we had to fight for allocation. We have taken all the remaining stock of Glenfiddich 1974 and 1876 Vintage and are listing Auchentoshan 30 Year Old in the coming weeks.

"Selling is the key - we pursue a soft sell approach and our sales assistants are highly trained. Some of our staff have visited 16 major distilleries in the past seven months and this really makes the difference - they can confidently interact with consumers. We have specialised and focused on distillery editions as we feel this is where consumers can be attracted to trade up."

Joint-venture operator Travel Free sro has opened a new duty-paid store on the German-Czech border crossing of Selb-A?.

The crossing is used by more than 400,000 Germans a month , many of whom take advantage of cheaper prices on spirits, wine and tobacco .

Customers can legally take home up to 10 litres of strong spirits, 20 litres of spirits below 22 per cent abv, 90 litres of wine, and 110 litres of beer.

Ralf Tiedt, eastern Europe manager at Gebr Heinemann, one of the companies involved in the joint venture, said: "O ur business relationships in the Czech Republic have enabled us to convince those involved of the benefits of maintaining these border shops."

Speakers at the annual Middle Eastern Duty-Free Association conference held in Dubai last month delivered an upbeat forecast for the travel retail business for 2008 based on continuing regional economic growth, rocketing passenger traffic and ambitious airport expansion plans.

MEDFA president Anthony Chalhoub told delegates that regional passenger traffic had grown 17.8 per cent in the first half of 2007, well ahead of the global average, with airports such as Dubai (+26 per cent), Qatar (+50 per cent) and Sharjah (+36 per cent) leading the way.

Airport expansion projects are at an all-time high, he noted, citing the examples of Bahrain, which has increased its capacity from 7 million to 15 million, and Abu Dhabi, which has grown from 6 million to 20 million.

The Middle East accounted for less than 4 per cent of total duty-free wine and spirits sales in 2006, but Pernod Ricard Gulf general manager David Freeborn told the MEDFA conference that the regional trends for liquor were positive, with value outpacing volume as customers moved towards premiumisation.

The high percentage of wealthy ex-pat workers travelling to and from the region, as well as the increasing importance of affluent Asian transit passengers at Middle Eastern airports, makes the market an important location for super-premium products .

Diageo Global Travel & Middle East corporate relations director Tim Rycroft sounded a more cautionary note, however. In his speech he warned the audience that in the light of World Health Organization and individual government s' crackdown on the harmful effects of alcohol, retailers should consider the positive promotion of responsible drinking in their stores.

European Travel Retail Council president Frank O'Connell gave an update on how the global aviation security restrictions are impacting the region. He warned that if Middle Eastern retailers wanted to continue to sell liquor and fragrances to passengers transiting within the EU, their respective countries would have to formally apply to the EU to have their aviation security standards mutually recognised. "There is no other way of doing this now or for another three years, at least," he said.

To date, only Dubai has applied to the EU for recognition.

The head of Maxxium Global Travel Retail has expressed hope that the new owner of World Duty Free will continue the UK travel retailer's long-standing commitment to the liquor category.

It was announced last month that WDF, which owns 67 shops at seven UK airports, including London Heathrow and Gatwick, is to be sold by Ferrovial, the Spanish owner of its parent company BAA.

With the overall liquor and wine category accounting for about a fifth of the company's total turnover, WDF is one of the UK's largest sellers of malt whisky and Champagne.

Commenting on the implications of the sale, MGTR president Erik Juul-Mortensen told DI: "I hope that a new owner, whoever that will be, will share some of the values which are driving the liquor business at WDF.

"At a time when some operators were putting less emphasis on spirits, WDF showed its faith in the category through the ultimate liquor store concept at Heathrow Terminal 4. It proved successful and has been taken forward to other [Heathrow] terminals.

"There is clear understanding on the part of WDF of putting the customer first," he added. "There is also a policy of building strong supplier partnerships through a very challenging, but fair, co-operation, transparency through information sharing and the constant investment in stores."

With its prime airport locations, high footfall and healthy financial state, the WDF sale is expected to generate high levels of industry interest. The acquisition is expected to be completed by mid-2008.

== Laurent Cosson ==

• Millésime Bio
  
  January 28-30
  
  Perpignan, France
  
  millesime-bio.com
  
• Salon des Vins de Loire
  
  February 4-6
  
  Angers Expo Congrès, France
  
  salondesvinsdeloire.com
  
• Prodexpo
  
  February 11-15
  
  Expocentr, Moscow
  
  prod-expo.ru
  
• Climate Change & Wine Conference
  
  February 15-16
  
  Hesperia Tower Hotel, Barcelona
  
  thewineacademy.com
  
• Vinisud
  
  February 18-20
  
  Montpellier, France
  
  vinisud.com
  
• SIBA Annual Brewing Conference
  
  March 6-7
  
  Royal York Hotel, York, England
  
  conference@siba.co.uk
  
• Alimentaria
  
  March 10-14
  
  Fira, Barcelona, Spain
  
  alimentaria.com
  
• Grands Jours de Bourgogne
  
  March 10-15
  
  Burgundy, France
  
  grands-jours-bourgogne.com
  
• Prowein
  
  March 16-18
  
  Düsseldorf , Germany
  
  prowein.de
  
• Vinitaly
  
  April 3-7
  
  Verona Exhibition Centre
  
  vinitaly.com
  
• Duty Free Show of the Americas
  
  April 6-10
  
  Fort Lauderdale, Florida
  
  iaadfs.org

Guy Tapernoux has succeeded Pernod Ricard's Philippe Mouton as president of the European Spirits Organisation . He was elected for a period of two years at a CEPS general assembly . Tapernoux became managing director of Bacardi-Martini (Benelux) in 1989, going on to Boisset in France, and he is currently with leading Belgian spirits producer and distributor Bruggeman NV. He was also chairman of the Belgian Federation of Wines & Spirits from 2001-2006 and chairman of the European Federation of Importers of Wine & Spirits from 2002-2005. CEPS is the representative body for the spirits industry at the European level. Its membership comprises 37 national associations representing the industry in 29 countries, as well as a group of leading spirits-producing companies.

The success of St -Germain elderflower liqueur has prompted parent company Cooper Spirits to appoint Chad Wiltgen vice-president of sales, western US. Based in Los Angeles, Wiltgen began his career at UDV - now Diageo - as an ambassador for Jose Cuervo tequila.

Maison Louis Latour has appointed Dan Townsend managing director of its UK distribution arm, Louis Latour Agencies. Townsend left Constellation Europe in 2007, having previously held senior positions at Scottish & Newcastle and Matthew Clark.

Distell has appointed Anthony Mills head of marketing for its premium South African cider brand, Savanna. Forty-two -year-old Mills, from New Zealand, previously worked for NZ winery Cable Bay, Wingara Wine Group and Mentzendorff in the UK.

German wine marketer Racke has appointed Pablo Navarro export director, Latin America, based in Chile. Formerly regional export manager with Concha y Toro, Navarro will focus on Racke's joint venture brands Espiritu de Chile and Golden Kaan, as well as the Italian Vitae range, with a focus on the emerging Brazilian and Mexican markets.

Wine Intelligence has made two significant appointments. David Scotland, who has worked for John Harvey & Sons, IDV (Cinzano), Percy Fox and latterly as a main board director of Allied Domecq, becomes non-executive chairman. Graham Holter, formerly William Reed Business Media's group editor of Drinks International, Off Licence News and Wine & Spirit , becomes associate director, publishing.

Patrick Healy, who headed Fetzer Vineyards' sustainable business practices, passed away in November, aged 59, after a long battle with cancer. He was a well-known figure in the California wine industry and enabled the Brown-Forman subsidiary to become a zero -waste company. He reduced waste destined for landfill by 95 per cent.

• In the first auction of spirits held in New York city since Prohibition, a 100-lot selection of fine and rare whiskies, Cognac, Armangac, Calvados and Chartreuse fetched $304,800. The top single-bottle lot of the day was a 1926 Macallan, which sold for $54,000. Richard Brierley, head of wine sales, Christie's Americas, said the bidding pointed to the potential for spirits sales in the US.
  
• Under a new free-trade agreement with Peru, tariffs on US spirits will be eliminated. While hardly a major market, spirits exports to Peru, especially bourbon, should increase dramatically. In the period 2000-2006, US spirits exports to Peru averaged approximately $580,000 annually. In the first nine months of 2007, US exports reached $741,000 - a 45 per cent increase over the comparable period in 2006. Bourbon and Tennessee whiskey accounted for 70 per cent of the total.
  
• Terlato Wines International is offering a new wine brand, Tangley Oaks, targeting the $14 - 20 price segment, which the company identifies as a "luxury" niche .
  
• Imperial Brands has launched Sobieski Polish Rye vodka in the US. It sells for $11 but Imperial CEO Chester Brandes believes it is equal to a $40 super-premium vodka. Brandes launched Stolichnaya in North America in 1975 and he believes there are simply too many high-end vodkas now on the market and consumers will soon begin looking for "good value."

Biagio Cru & Estate Wines is intent on making food and wine pairing a no-brainer.

The New York-based company has introduced Rigatoni Red, the first of a projected series in the Food & Wine Collection. Rigatoni Red is an Italian wine sourced in Puglia.

It is designed to go with food heavy on the tomato sauce, be it pasta or pizza.

US producers of biodynamic wines need to get beyond the "voodoo stuff" and educate the public, speakers told a seminar on biodynamic wines in San Francisco.

The message was that there should be fewer stories about pruning grape vines by the sign of the moon and more stories about the wines.

Mike Benziger, of Benziger Winery in Sonoma County, said there is a "very strong message'' to deliver about biodynamic wines if producers keep quality high and "let the wines do the talking ".

Benziger and producers such as Randall Grahm, owner of Bonny Doon Vineyards, were grappling with how to market biodynamic wines to a public clueless about what it is all about .

Grahm raised the bar on the discussion when he asserted the need for a new conversation about wine. "We need to get beyond talking about 'points' and talk about wine as a total experience," he said. And isn't that what biodynamics is all about?

224

Sales of French wine in the US are up 9 per cent in both volume and value through the first nine months of 2007.

To drive the point home, the newly formed Wines of Languedoc has launched a promotion to position the Languedoc as "the leading appellation for value French wines".

The move follow s the establishment early in 2007 of a new Languedoc AOC, which includes Roussillon. The US campaign is aimed at the $9- 15 price segment. The campaign is low key, with samples going to key media contacts and a series of private tastings taking place across the US.

Last year Languedoc producers conducted a survey in the US market, asking consumers to taste four prototypes of Languedoc wines, based on Grenache, Carignan and Syrah, blended in different proportions. The goal was to offer consumers the wine profile that best suited their expectations, while respecting the natural terroir.

St Patrick's Day (March 17) is a big deal in the US.

College students who likely could not find Ireland on a map suddenly discover their roots in the Auld Sod. So it is not surprising that St Patrick's day promotions begin well before Christmas.

There are always the predictable gimmicks involving green beer, leprechauns and shamrocks but this year there are a couple of new, well targeted Irish drinks for the occasion which have credibility.

Coole Swan, from the Coole Quay Liqueur Company of Dublin , was launched in Ireland last year and is now making its US debut at some 800 outlets in Manhattan.

This premium cream liqueur contains "all natural" ingredients, mixing chocolate, vanilla and cocoa with Irish cream and whiskey

Skyy Spirits is bringing back Tullamore Dew in the classic ceramic crock, first launched some 60 years ago. There's something heart-warming about drinking Irish whiskey out of a crock in the run-up to St Patrick's Day.

Just leave the green beer behind the bar, please.

224

• Leading Australian producer Foster's has moved its Penfolds Thomas Hyland range of wines to a more localised regional appellation, with its labels from now on showing the Adelaide region rather than its previous state-wide designation of South Australia. The company is also launching an addition to the range. Joining the Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz will be a Sauvignon Blanc from the 2007 vintage.
  
• Russian brewer Ochakov is to sign a licensing agreement with the Bavarian group King Ludwig International to sell its Kaltenberg brand in Russia.
  
• SABMIller, the global brewer, has announced that Pacific Beverages, its joint venture with Coca-Cola Amatil, has bought the Australian premium brewer Bluetongue. The premium beer sector in Australia has posted growth rates of 15 per cent each year for the past six years and, in the year to November, Bluetongue reported sales growth of more than 70 per cent.
  
• Italian wine exports in the first half of 2007 reached a record E1.6 billion - a 12 per cent increase over the sa me period last year, according to the Italian National Institute of Statistics.
  
• International South African wine brand Golden Kaan has relaunched in the UK with new packaging. The revamped range comprises: Sauvignon Blanc Chenin Blanc, Merlot and Shiraz,
  
• Argiano, the Brunello di Montalcino producer, has appointed Thorman Hunt as its UK distributor.

Demand for Burgundy continues to rise as, for the second consecutive year, sales are set to outstrip production.

According to the Bureau Interprofessionnel des Vins de Bourgogne, total sales for 2006/7 increased by 4 per cent , following a 10 per cent increase the previous year.

Producers marketed 208 million bottles, described as "a historic quantity" by the BIVB. That exceeds the relatively low volume of the 2006 harvest by 15 million bottles.

Stocks of Burgundy are estimated to have fallen by 8 per cent so stocks may drop below 1.4 million hectolitres - less than one year's harvest in stock.

Some appellations are more affected than others. Crémant is at a "very low level" (half a year's harvest in stock) and Maconnais whites has two-thirds of a harvest in stock.

Bartenders have been voting for their favourite cocktail master in the Bols Around the World cocktail competition.

All regional winners and their drinks recipes are on to bols-aroundtheworld.com and the final 10 will be announced later this month.

Competitors were required to create their "ultimate national cocktail: a drink which they felt captured the character of the nation".

The grand final, with the top 10 cocktail masters from around the world mixing up their nominated cocktails, takes place in March at the Bols Bartending Academy in Amsterdam.

A proposal that 60 per cent of the beer to be sold in the economic region of Nizhny Novgorod in central Russia should be from local producers has met with mixed reactions.

The proposal was submitted by the Nizhny Novgorod licensing authority to the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) to promote the regional government's campaign to persuade people to buy more local products.

A poll of 100 retailers revealed that half agreed with the idea. The regional public prosecutor's office warned FAS it was illegal and violated consumers' rights.

Head of the retail alcohol sales department of the licensing authority Alevtina Bogdan, who had asked the region's retailers to agree with the proposal, said it was only a recommendation.

Sergei Tanchuk, general director of Yarlivo, one of the region's largest beer merchants, said: "You can fill every shelf with local beer but who is going to buy it?"

Vyacheslav Mamontov, chairman of the executive committee of the Russian Brewers' Union said: "Russia is a single market which should have the same laws. To let local authorities regulate local markets is not right."

Wine consumption in Asia is growing at more than seven times the global average, according to new research a study commissioned by Vinexpo Asia Pacific.

Consumers worldwide spent more than US$100bn on wine in 2006. Yet, while global consumption has only risen by an average one per cent annually in recent years, Asia's consumption is rising by nearly eight per cent.

Emerging markets in Asia, and particularly the growing middle classes in India and China, are catching the attention of wine firms, and analysts believe there is still much growth potential.

The research, undertaken by IWSR, forecasts that between 2006 and 2011 China's wine consumption will grow by almost 70 per cent making it the eighth largest wine consuming country. Japan is also expected to resume a positive growth track after showing decline between 2002 and 2006.

These statistics underline the huge potential for development in the region. They also support the decision by Robert Beynat, chief executive Vinexpo Asia-Pacific, to hold the region's largest wine and spirit exhibition in Hong Kong - the gateway to Asia.

Beyat said Hong Kong also offers other attractions - stabilitiy, economic growth, transport and communication infrastructure.

The first Vinexpo in Asia was in 1998, the second in 2006, with a show in the US prior to that.

The third Vinexpo Asia-Pacific will held in May 27-29, 2008 at the The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre where around 600 exhibitors will occupy the 7,000 sq m floor space, Some 7-8,000 visitors are expected from some 30 countries across the region.

.

• Racke, the German-based drinks group, has taken on the German distribution of Rich Prosecco, the brand endorsed by glamour girl and hotel heiress Paris Hilton. The sparkling wine drink, made with Prosecco grapes from the Treviso region of Italy, comes in gold 20cl cans . It also comes in Rich Passion with passion fruit and Rich Royal with strawberry and cassis.
  
• Heineken has announced a three-year partnership with airlines Air France and KLM. The Dutch brand will be solus on all KLM flights and the majority of Air France aircraft. It will also be the beer in most of the two airlines' lounges. Also, the brewer has bought Serbian brewer Rodic. Its brands include MB Premium, MB Pils and Master.
  
• South African wine producer DGB has bought Franschoek Vineyards. The Franschoek valley is the food and wine region of the Cape winelands. The former co-operative's brands will be added to DGB's Douglas Green, Bellingham and Boschendal brands.
  
• Whyte and Mackay, the Scotch whisky producer, now a subsidiary of the Indian-based company, United Spirits, has opened an office in Taiwan, the world's second largest market for premium malt whiskies. The company says its Dalmore range of luxury malts will be priced at a 15 per cent premium over existing brands.
  
• Giesen Wines in Marlborough, one of the largest wine companies in New Zealand, has announced that it is to remain a family company, despite various unnamed approaches to buy it.

A US-distilled absinthe is on the market for the first time in almost a century.

St. George Spirits, the California artisan distiller responsible for Hangar One vodka, is the first US company since 1912 to make and sell absinthe in the US. The distiller's Absinthe Verte went on sale during the Christmas holidays in limited markets.

The US, along with many other nations, had banned the production and sale of absinthe early in the 20th century. Lance Winters, St. George's master distiller, began experimenting with absinthe a decade ago. Lawyers finally convinced the US authorities that their product was not going to 'drive people crazy,' despite the spirit's legendary reputation.

St. George will compete with three other distillers - the Swiss Kubler, French Lucid and the Brazilian Absinto Camargo. All began importing the spirit into the US last year.

Portuguese wine producer Sogrape Vinhos has opened a new winery for Sandeman, its international Port brand.

The company says it has invested approximately E7.5m in the Quinta do Seixo facility, which is gravity-fed and boasts four types of press and uses four types of maceration processes.

It is being hailed as the most technically advanced winery in Portugal and the company says it will revolutionise its Douro production.

The Quinta do Seixo estate has belonged to Sogrape, which also owns the Mateus Rosé brand, since 1987 and is one of the seven largest estates owned by the company in the Douro demarcated region.

Some of the world's top mixologists are due to arrive in Cognac for the International Cognac Summit, which takes place from Jan 20 -23 .

The Bureau National Interprofessionel du Cognac (BNIC) is hoping a new Cognac-based cocktail with the potential to be world class will emerge.

Some of the cocktail stars expected include: Dale DeGroff, president of the Museum of the American Cocktail; Audre y Saunders, bartender at the Carlyle Hotel, New York; consultant Simon Difford , who is also the author of Diffordsguide to Cocktails; Salim Khoury, head barman of the American Bar at the Savoy, London; Stefan Gabanyi, head barman at Schumann's Bar in Munich and Colin Field, head barman at the Hemingway Bar in the Paris Ritz hotel.

Participants will spend three days taking part in workshops run by Fernando Castellon, author of the Larousse des Cocktails book.

Participants will be asked to come up with a Cognac-based short and long drink which the BNIC hopes will be as successful for Cognac as the Mojito is for rum.

European Union agricultural ministers have reached an agreement on new regulations on the production and labelling of spirits within Europe.

Under the legislation, vodka made from cereals or potatoes will be able to carry a label simply saying "vodka", but vodkas made from other raw materials will have to state what they are on the label.

Other changes include protection of the terms London Gin and Scotch Whisky, and restrictions on flavouring, sweetening and colouring of whisky.

Ministers came to an agreement over the proposals, first tabled for discussion two years ago, on Dec 17 last year.

Mariann Fischer Boel, commissioner for agriculture and rural development said: "I am pleased that we were able to reach a pragmatic compromise on the definition of vodka, which will allow producers of this important product to continue going about their business.

"I think this new regulation will help our producers build on their success and make things clearer for consumers."

The decision on vod ka labelling should please distillers who make vodka from grapes or sugar cane, but will not be well received by producers in Finland, Poland and Sweden who sought to ban the use of the term "vodka" for drink not made from cereals or potatoes (historically they have used sugar beet in years of bad harvests).

The new spirits drinks regulation combines two previous regulations and adapts the rules to take account of technical changes, WTO requirements and the EU's system of geographical indications. It is also designed to help producers market their products while providing more clarity for consumers.

Sherry is planning a heavy marketing push in the US, Canada and Japan in the hope of doubling exports.

Trade association Fedejerez has announced a marketing spend of €2.8 million for the next four years, with €1 million earmarked for the US.

It is thought that targeting countries with emerging markets will enable bodegas to boost their export rate.

A search has begun for an office in Japan and Fedejerez is planning offices in the US and Canada in the future.

Fedejerez chairman Bosco Torremocha said: "(The strategy) will pay much attention to those markets where sherry has a favourable position, both in sales evolution and product reputation."

Diageo is launching a global campaign for its Bushmills Irish whiskey , including a new blend, to coincide with the distillery's 400th birthday.

The world's largest drinks company acquired Bushmills in 2005 after several years of trying to buy an Irish distillery. Its original attempt to buy the whole of Irish Distillers was thwarted by the Irish government in 1988 which preferred ownership going to Pernod Ricard rather than to the British company.

It has since spent more than £6 million to triple production and increase marketing as part of its plan to make Bushmills a global Irish whiskey brand to rival Pernod Ricard's Jameson.

"We are going global with Bushmills for the first time," said global brand director Shivaun Lucey.

A new premium blend, Bushmills 1608, is to be launched in February to commemorate the distillery's 400-year history (see page 17).

Colum Egan, master distiller at Bushmills, said of the new 1608 blend: "One of the first emotions I feel is relief." He said the distillery team had spent the past four or five years "trying many different blends and many different types of whiskey".

Inter Beaujolais, the organisation representing wine producers in Beaujolais, has threatened to sue any winemakers found guilty of illegally enriching their wines with sugar.

Between 100 and 150 winemakers may be questioned by French police over whether they added more than the legal amount of sugar to their wines, a source told France's Le Monde newspaper.

News of a fresh scandal comes as the region is attempting to lose an image of valuing quantity over quality.

Inter Beaujolais said it was taking the investigation seriously. "We strongly condemn illegal practices and would consider, if the inquiry shows they exist, starting legal action."

Police have been tracking a consignment of 600 tonnes of sugar they believe entered the Beaujolais area between 2004 and 2006.

The sugar disappeared, and suspicions have fallen on the area's 3,000 wineries. Enriching wines with sugar, predominantly to raise alcohol content, is allowed at 17g per litre.

But it is now thought some producers may have used the black market stock to add more than rules allow.

A source close to the inquiry told Le Monde: "These [winemakers] are evidently not criminals, but it appears they have benefited from this. They cannot escape the crime of drinks fraud."

The investigation comes only a year after producer Georges Duboeuf was fined for adding substandard wine to higher quality stocks.

A deal to reform Europe's wine sector has been agreed after nearly three days of gruelling negotiations and last-minute compromises.

Consensus between most member states means the EU now has a blueprint for re-launching its wines on world markets - two years after talks began.

Agriculture commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel was forced to water down her original proposals to appease big producer nations, however.

France scored two late victories in the talks. It ensured that individual member states would have the option of ­controlling planting rights until 2018.

The Commission had wanted to abolish planting rights by 2013, while other nations, including the UK, pushed for a 2010 end date. But France and others feared a free-for-all on planting in famous wine regions such as Bordeaux.

France also secured access to EU funding for "crisis distillation" of excess wines for another four years. After that period, member states must seek the approval of the European Commission.

Northern Europe's winemakers were celebrating after being told they would neither be banned from enriching wines with sugar nor have to highlight the practice on labels.

On grubbing up vines, ministers agreed to fund a voluntary scheme to uproot 175,000ha across the EU over three years. Countries producing fewer than 5 million litres of wine annually would be ineligible.

Fischer Boel's original proposals for "deep-rooted reform" included grubbing up 400,000ha of vines and a blanket ban on sugar enrichment, or chaptalisation. She also strongly advocated an end to the cycle of overproduction and distillation.

"I am delighted that we were able to find a compromise," she said, despite having her plans curtailed.

"Instead of spending much of our budget getting rid of unwanted surpluses, we can now concentrate on taking on our competitors and winning back market share."