Smirnoff is not a casualty of a global trend away from vodka, according to Ivan Menezes, CEO of Diageo.

Rémy Cointreau has announced the promotion of former LVMH boss Panos Sarantopoulos as CEO of its liqueurs and spirits division.

The West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers’ Association (WIRSPA) has approved the incorporation of Hampden Estate Gold, Monymusk Plantation Special Reserve and Westerhall Vintage into its Authentic Caribbean Rum (ACR) marquee.

La Martiniquaise owner of the Gran Cruz, the world's largest producer of port, has announced the opening of a new site with a modern winery and centralised bulk storage.

Ambitious UK bartenders are being invited to participate in a competition to create a fresh take on Jerry Thomas’ classic ‘Gin Cocktail’.

Diageo has made further changes to its Executive Committee to enhance “in-market accountability”, which is key to Diageo’s strategy under Ivan Menezes. 

Argentinean wine brand Trivento has signed an exclusive deal to be an ‘Official Supporter of Premiership Rugby’, in the UK.

Demand for wine is growing with a shift to new markets and consumers, according to Rabobank.

Two research studies into consumer closure preference in two of the world’s most dynamic wine markets, China and the US show that cork is the preferred wine stopper, according to Amorim the world leader in cork stopper products.

The Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) trade association has announced that the first of Napa Valley’s sparkling wine producers have begun picking grapes, two days earlier than the start of last year’s harvest.

New Zealand wine has become the number two country of origin in the UK market for wine sold over £7, according to the latest Nielsen data (MAT June 21, 2014).

Champagne house Krug has released of a new vintage of its rare single vineyard cuvée, the Krug Clos du Mesnil 2003.

UK distributor Hallgarten Druitt & Novum Wines has expanded its marketing and sales teams with Chris Wilson joining as communications manager and Clare Cutler as national accounts manager.