Diageo hails North America as Asia slows
Diageo has reported steady net sales growth of 5%, despite Asia Pacific's revenues slowing and Western Europe continuing to falter.
Rémy appoints new CFO
Rémy has appointed a new chief financial officer following Frédéric Pflanz ‘s planned ascension to the CEO role.
UK drinks companies make commercial appointments
Buffalo Trace whiskey distributor Hi-Spirits has appointed John Vider to the newly-created role of commercial director.
London’s first ever winery
A boutique winery is being installed in west London with the intention of processing grapes from the likes of Bordeaux, Languedoc and the Roussillon and making wine from September.
SWA responds to minimum pricing opposition
The Scotch Whisky Association has responded to reports today (July 25) that there is major opposition from several European countries to Scotland’s yet to be enacted law a minimum price for a unit of alcohol.
Drinks writers run Ardbeg Half Marathon for charity
A group of drinks journalists are set to run a half marathon in memory of their colleague and friend Alan Lodge.
Beam switches presidents
Beam has appointed a new president for its Asia Pacific/South America business.
Grosche switches to wine producing
Richard Grosche, joint editor-in-chief of both Meininger’s Weinwelt and Sommelier Magazin, is joining the Reichsrat von Buhl estate winery in January.
Olmeca gets marketing director
Pernod Ricard has appointed a marketing director for its Olmeca tequila brand.
Quintessential unveils Essential
Quintessential Brands, the independent European spirits group has announced the formation of new company, Essential Drinks.
Diageo takes over SJF Holdco
Diageo has received approval from the Chinese authorities to buy the remaining 47% stake in Sichuan Chengdu Shuijingfang Group Company Ltd. (SJF Holdco).
Rioja DOCa appoints new president
The board of the DOCa Rioja has made a grape grower its new president, the first time in the 88-year history of the DOCa.
'Less but better' for UK drinkers
UK alcohol sales are increasing in value but decreasing in volume as a part of a consumer trend to drink less but better, according to the First Drinks Market Report.
Leon Dalloway takes Inspired by Sloane's crown
Leon Dalloway from C.O.L.D Bar in London has been crowned winner of the Inspired by Sloane's cocktail competition.
International Spirits Challenge: the results
Crème de Cassis de Dijon Gabriel Boudier was named Supreme Champion at the International Spirits Challenge awards ceremony last night.
Chateau Haut Gleon Blanc 2012 released
Les Vignobles Foncalieu’s AOC Corbieres Chateau Haut Gleon Blanc 2012 has launched, targeted at the on-trade in Germany, China and the UK.
Hite-Jinro "open" to Diageo talks
Hite-Jinro would consider selling a share of its business to Diageo, according to the South Korean group’s co-president.
Diageo executive committee change
Diageo has announced that its corporate relations director is to leave the company.
Diageo, the world’s largest premium drinks company has launched a pan-European online campaign ‘Think How You Drink’ to remind young people that drinking to excess can lead to shame and embarrassment.
SPI appoints Romain Ambrunn
SPI Group, owner of Stolichnaya russian vodka, has appointed Romain Ambrunn as Asia Pacific regional director.
London Wine Fair reports strong interest
London Wine Fair organisers Brintex has reported a “decidedly positive response” from existing exhibitors signing up for 2014.
Russian Standard goes to Borco
Russian Standard vodka, Russia’s number one global vodka, has a new distribution partnership with Borco-Marken-Import (Borco) to manage the brand’s distribution and marketing in Germany and Austria.
Lacassagne takes over at Chivas
Laurent Lacassagne has this week (W/C July 8) become chairman and CEO of Chivas Brothers, the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard.
Chapel Down raises £4.3m for expansion
Chapel Down, the English winemaker, has secured more than £4.3 million in new equity funding to expand the business and help grow its reputation both at home and overseas.
Diageo announces United Spirits share purchase agreement
Diageo has announced that it has completed the acquisition of a further 14.98% stake in United Spirits Limited (USL), the leading spirits company in India.
Maxxium UK takes Snow Leopard's reins
Maxxium UK has added Snow Leopard vodka to its portfolio of brands.
Opihr Oriental Spiced unveiled at Imbibe Live
Quintessential Brands unveiled Opihr Oriental Spiced Gin yesterday at UK on-trade show Imbibe Live.
Diageo launches investor and media app
Diageo has launched an IR (investor relations) and Media App for iPhones, iPads and Android platforms.
Marblehead and Quintessential team up
Marblehead, the privately-owned UK-based, brand development and distribution company, has announced a new partnership with Quintessential Brands, the independent spirits company.
Edrington results for the year ended March 31
Edrington has announced that group profit before tax is up 13% to £168.6 million and turnover is up 6% to £591.3m, for the year ended March 31.
US: Campari boss is new DISCUS chairman
The chairman and CEO of Campari America has been elected chairman of the trade body Distilled Spirits Council of the United States.
Portugal: CDQ appoints new winemaker
Portuguese wine company Companhia Das Quintas (CDQ) has appointed John Worontschak as group winemaker on a consultancy basis. He is to oversee production at the group’s six winemaking facilities.
Campari buys Australian packaging company for $20m
Gruppo Campari has signed an agreement to acquire the business assets of Australian contract beverage packer Copack for AUD $20 million (€14.2 million).
New Zealand recognises Napa
The Intellectual Property Office in New Zealand has issued a Certificate of Trade Mark Registration providing consumer protection against wines illegitimately labelled as Napa Valley.
Beam appoints emerging markets MD
Beam has created a new management position for emerging markets.
US Drinks Conference – event details
The US Drinks Conference will be held at the Jacob Javits Center in New York on Tuesday, September 10.
Fladgate buys Wiese & Krohn stock
The Fladgate Partnership has announced that it has purchased the brand, stocks and vineyard holdings of Wiese & Krohn in a deal that includes stocks of aged tawnies and colheitas dating back to 1863, plus Quinta do Retiro Novo in the Rio Torto Valley in the Douro.
Zamora appoints Clamens as MD
The Diego Zamora group has appointed Thomas Clamens as its international managing director.
Duty escalator to blame for high alcohol prices - WSTA
The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has claimed that the Government’s wine and spirits duty escalator is to blame for UK consumers paying the fourth highest prices for alcohol in the EU.
WSET launches diploma in South Africa
The Wine and Spirit Education Trust is to roll out its diploma qualification to South Africa, via online distance learning.
Mixed reviews of Vinexpo 2013 as Beynat bids farewell
Exhibitors offered a mixed appraisal of Vinexpo 2013, the last Bordeaux show of Robert Beynat’s reign as CEO.
WSTA reports negativity in UK drinks sector
Total alcohol sales continue to fall according to the latest Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) market report.
MBG buys Meyer‘s Bitter
MBG International Premium Brands GmbH has bought the liqueur maker E. Eduard Meyer GmbH from the Schwarze Schlichte group.
Edrington announces major investment
Edrington has announced plans to extend its international distribution network, taking control of operations in three continents.
New Champagne website
The Comité Champagne (the educational and promotional arm of The Champagne Houses & Growers’ Association) has launched its new official Champagne website: www.champagne.com.
WIRSPA relaunches
The West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers’ Association has relaunched its ‘Authentic Caribbean Rum' campaign.
Altia buys Larsen Cognac and Danish aquavit Brøndums
Altia, the Nordic-based alcoholic drinks group has bought the Larsen Cognac brand and the Danish aquavit brand Brøndums.
Diageo new appointments
Diageo has announced that Andy Fennell, chief marketing officer, will become president COO, Africa, reporting to Nick Blazquez, president Africa, Eastern Europe and Turkey.
UK RumFest returns
The UK RumFest takes place on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 October at London's ExCeL exhibition centre in London’s Docklands
AB InBev buys Corona owner for $20bn
AB InBev has successfully completed its buy-out of Mexican brewer Grupo Modelo in a transaction valued at USD$20.1bn