Avallen has announced a global partnership with UK-based Charter Brands to drive new routes to market beyond Europe, Hong Kong & Australia.

The UK hard seltzer market is expected to reach a value of £75m by 2023 according to a report commissioned by DRTY.

JW Filshill, the Glasgow-based wholesaler, has acquired Eldorado Tonic Wine as part of its purchase of KB Agencies for an undisclosed sum.

Ecommerce has broken into markets that barely knew it existed pre-pandemic - and forcasts for the alcohholic drinks sector are very positive. Martin Green reports.

Heineken has unveiled plans to make Amstel one of the bestselling beer brands in the Chinese market.

China has slapped a 212% tariff on Australian wine as diplomatic tensions between the two nations continue to mount.

The Rueda wine region plans to significantly ramp up its focus on export markets after overhauling its Denomination of Origin regulations.

Former Pernod Ricard executives Laurent Lacassagne and Patrick Venning have launched a botanical rum after setting up a micro-distillery in London’s Brixton Market.

Red Storm and Ocean Storm have been withdrawn from the market after The Gin Guild threatened legal action against the producer for incorrectly labelling them as “gin”.

English sparkling wine producer Black Chalk has announced plans to set up an office in Tokyo as it bids to crack the Japanese market.

Sales of spirits, wine and beer continue to soar in the US off-trade as shoppers shun bars and restaurants in favor of drinking at home.

Not long ago, India was known as a country that produced whisky from molasses, and the majority of sales came from the category of spirits called IMFL (Indian Made Foreign Liquor).

American whiskey exports to EU have decreased by a third since the bloc imposed a 25% retaliatory tariff in June 2018.

Zamora Company USA has bolstered its spirits portfolio with the addition of Filipino rum brand Don Papa.

AB Inbev has warned that Q2 trading will be “materially worse” than the previous three months due to brewery closures and supply chain disruption.

The Covid-19 pandemic has wrought havoc on the global drinks industry presenting business owners with a formidable set of challenges. Yet for winemakers in Lebanon it represents just another obstacle in a long list of trials and tribulations they have overcome in recent times.

Indian whisky producers are becoming increasingly confident as drinkers recognise the spirits for their quality. now, says Dominic Roskrow, they’re set to take the next step up.

Susanne Stauß takes a closer look at the global sparkling wine market

The market for whisky in India is huge, but local brands have the lion’s share due to the exorbitant import tariffs. Christian Davis reports

Despite challenging Portuguese economic conditions, Vinho Verde exports are on the increase and will become more competitive in the global market place, according to the Vinho Verde Commission (CVRVV).

Diageo, has launched Chinese white spirit brand, Shui Jing Fang, onto the UK domestic market.

The Macallan has unveiled a new range, the 1824 Series, which is being rolled out into the UK market this autumn.

The price of wine and spirits has risen by more than twice the level of inflation, according to the latest WSTA Market Report.

Czech brewery Budweiser Budvar has announced record levels of exports amid volume growth of 5.5% and net profit increases of 9.2%.

The Chinese wine market of the future will feature more white and sweet red wines, according to a report by Wine Intelligence.

The scotch whisky category belied global economic instability in 2011 by growing sales value 23% to a record £4.2billion.

Campari America has joined the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS).

Paul Medder, Wine Intelligence's country manager for Brazil, offers his analysis of the effects of protectionism in the burgeoning Brazilian wine market.

Central European Distribution Corporation (CEDC) has extended its links with Gallo Vineyards to include the distribution of Barefoot wines in Poland.

The Champagne Bureau has reported increased shipments in 2011. Total shipments worldwide rose from 319.5 million bottles in 2010 to 323 million in 2011.

Italian drinks company Davide Campari-Milano has reported a group net profit for 2011 of €159.2m, up from €156.2m in 2010.

The Diego Zamora group has reported that its Licor 43 brand finished 2011 with sales of 500 000 cases worldwide, 4.2 million liters, which represents an increase of more than 25% over 2010.

Altia, the wine and spirits group that focuses on the Nordic countries, has announced a 7.6% net sales increase to €524.8 million for the year January to December 2011.

Pernod Ricard’s CEO Piere Pringuet has spoken out about Havana Club’s flat half-year sales growth, branding its performance “disappointing”.

Diageo has delivered 3% volume growth and 7% organic net sales increase for the six months ended December 31, 2011.

Central European Distribution Corporation (CEDC) has signed a five-year exclusive agreement to distribute Beam brands in Poland.

Central European Distribution Corporation (CEDC) has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with La Martiniquaise to distribute Label 5 whisky in Russia. La Martiniquaise announced the tie-up in December 2011.

Rémy Martin is to introduce a new expression of its VSOP cognac for the European market. VSOP Mature Cask Finish is to replace VSOP in Europe, while the rest of the world will continue to receive the original VSOP cognac.

Billed as its super-premium expressions, Beam has released Teacher’s 25 Year Old and Teacher’s Highland Single Malt to global markets.

Vodka company Russian Standard has purchased a 9.9% share in CEDC (Central European Distribution Corporation) for $25.35 million.

Carlsberg UK chief executive Isaac Sheps is leaving to take over leadership of the brewer’s Russian business, Baltika, and its eastern European operations.

Patrón Spirits International has teamed up with Mumbai-based agent Aspri Spirits to distribute its portfolio of tequila, vodka and rum in India.

Venezuelan rum producer DUSA (Destilerias Unidas SA) has kicked off the multi-market release of Diplomatico Ambassador Selection with a launch event in London. 

Russian Standard vodka owner Roust and Rémy Cointreau have announced the expansion of their partnership in Russia which will include the distribution of additional Rémy Cointreau brands.

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has announced that the value of scotch exports for the first half of 2011 is up 22%

Africa: Heineken has purchased two breweries in Ethiopia for a total of US$163 million. 

Bacardi USA has announced plans to trial a new gin, Bombay Sapphire East, in the US on and off-trade.

StarBev has announced ‘significant investments’ in its Staropramen brand, as it eyes international expansion.

The emerging South Korean market could boost the fortunes of wine importers, according to research by Wine Intelligence.

Costellation Wines Australia and Europe has officially become Accolade Wines - as of June 27. Accolade brands include Hardy’s and Echo Falls.