It’s a good time to be a Prosecco producer. The understated Italian wine has never, it seems, been more popular – there were 50 million bottles produced in 2007, up 14 per cent on the 2005 figure, and Prosecco is winning over new admirers in undeveloped export territories. Wine consumption in Italy and in Germany, Prosecco’s top export market, is not expected to grow (see…

Looking at the numbers, there is every reason to get excited about the Indian winemaking scene. Sales are growing at a steady 25 per cent year on year and are now worth around £50 million (4 billion rupees) at retail. From four wineries producing 2 million litres of wine in 2001, India now has 54 wineries producing 13 million litres. Driving this is India’s middle…

The Baltic region plays a proud role in the history of beer. It is home to many of the great beer styles – including Russian Imperial Stout – but decades of Communism shackled and stifled investment. After the Cold War ended in 1989, many of the surviving brewer ies were bought up by international players who realised there was quick and easy access to fresh…

== Bitters taste of victory == Stationed behind the low, oval, black marble-topped bar at Zen in Port of Spain, the competitors performed in a cauldron-like atmosphere, watched by an estimated crowd of 800 invited guests and local onlookers spread across the ground floor and upper storey balcony. The Angostura aromatic bitters Global Cocktail Challenge finals took place in Trinidad on Tuesday, May 13. A…

Japan’s most famous cuisine, sushi, is eaten traditionally with sake but many prefer beer. The Royal Garden Hotel’s executive chef, Steve Munkley, sushi chef Ricky Idris and Beer Academy co-founder, Rupert Ponsonby, got together at the London hotel last month to match different beers with various sushi dishes from around the world. Following the tasting g uests were asked to choose their favourite combinations ,…

…Yes, that’s right! Level vodka has come up with a cocktail to go with Turkish delight, not an obvious thing to match a drink with, but why not? The Turkish Delight+ 25ml Level vodka 12.5ml tawny port 12.5ml sugar syrup Soda water 3-4 fresh figs Method: shake the vodka, port, fig pulp and syrup together with ice. Strain over crushed ice into a Martini glass,…

Drinks International comes to you this month with our annual Millionaires supplement , the research for which has this year been exclusively conducted by Euromonitor International. The figures highlight the fastest growing sectors and brands, domestically, regionally and globally, as well as those slipping in popularity. Among the chart toppers are two interesting new entrants to the Millionaires listing – C1 soju and…

At the time of going to press, InBev has launched an unprecedented US$46 billion bid to buy US beer giant Anheuser-Busch, in a move that would create the world’s largest brewer. InBev said it sought open negotiations with A-B on the offer, which is in cash and values the Budweiser owner at US$65 per share. A deal between the two would be the largest ever…

Foster’s chief executive Trevor O’Hoy has resigned as the Australian drinks group cut profit forecasts amid concern for its ailing wine division. O’Hoy’s resignation was accepted by the Foster’s board on June 10, ending his 33 years at the group. His departure was accompanied by a warning to the market, which saw Foster’s slash its 2008 earnings forecast from an increase of 10 per cent…

Suntory, the Japanese drinks giant, is to purchase a 50 per cent stake in the Austrian chocolate liqueur producer Mozart Distillerie. Suntory said the new partnership would strengthen its position in the global alcoholic beverages market, while building further business for the Mozart brand – which is presently sold in some 70 countries around the world. Suntory has imported and marketed Mozart chocolate liqueurs in…