The IWC China, which claims to be the only international competition and accreditation awards of its kind to be held in mainland China, is designed to help consumers find the best wines available in China. The competition will employ the same judging criteria as the London-based IWC. Each wine entered will be tasted up to 12 times by some of the most qualified palates…

David Cutter was replying to questions from city analysts and business journalists at a lunchtime briefing on Thursday (January 31) at Diageo’s London headquarters, following the reporting of the company’s six month results to December 31. Diageo chief executive, Ivan Menezes emphasised that he and the company wanted a deal done between the UK government and the EU. Cuttter, responding to several journalists’ questions,…

Here are the key numbers: Reported net sales (£6.9bn) was up 5.8% with organic growth partially offset by unfavourable exchange. Reported operating profit (£2.4bn) was up 11.0%, driven by organic growth. All regions contributed to broad based organic net sales growth, up 7.5%, with organic volume up 3.5%. Organic operating profit grew 12.3%, ahead of top line growth, as cost inflation and higher marketing investment…

Stock Spirits is acquiring the entirety of Distillerie Franciacorta’s spirits and liqueurs business, together with land for the construction of a new production facility. It will also acquire the Franciacorta wine brands, although all aspects of the wine manufacturing will be retained by the vendor. Founded in 1901, Distillerie Franciacorta is owned by the Gozio family and is located in Franciacorta, in the Lombardy region…

The company says current sales, marketing and distilling objectives are being fully met, however the Irish and Italian directors differ on how to develop the combined business into the future. The statement said: “This change will result in the Irish directors taking full control of the existing drinks brands business built on the Writers’ Tears and The…

Brintex Event group said: “Following initial investment in the database last year, which resulted in a rise of 17% in attendees, the second phase will see visitors better categorised and an introduction of a charge – for some – for the first time. “Members of the trade who will be charged to attend, will include importers, excluding buyers, who have elected not to exhibit and…

_______________________________________________ WHAT’S WINCHESTER FAMOUS FOR? Once the Anglo-Saxon capital of Wessex and England, today the city is best known for the great hall of its formidable castle and, of course, it gives its name to a repeating rifle. But there is another Winchester – scotch whisky’s Alan. This is the man who oversees Chivas Brothers’ raft of distilleries – The Glenlivet…

____________________________________________ FOR MANY BRANDY DRINKERS, Spanish brandy is something you drink on holiday in its country of origin. Apart from overwhelming domestic consumption, it remains on the costas, rarely taken home for further exploration. Having said that, 70% of total Brandy de Jerez is exported outside Spain (source: CRDO Jerez/Brandy de Jerez). The Osborne brand’s PR director for wines and spirits,…

IT IS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY but things aren’t so heavenly in South Africa. It has just come out of the worst drought in living memory; there is immense political and economic uncertainty; and the South African wine industry is feeling the pinch. Cape 2018, Wines of South Africa’s now triennial wine fest, was a mixed bag of messages. Recent rains had, at…

Born in France and trained initially as a chef, Basset, was a founder of the Hotel du Vin chain of hotels. To help his family and publish his memoirs, master of wine Jancis Robinson has announced a crowd funding initiative. Publisher Unbound is seeking a total of £14,000 to cover the costs of publishing this memorial to one of the wine world’s greatest achievers and…