Diageo and United Spirits, which together have 37 million-case brands, hit the headlines in 2015. The ‘will he, won’t he’ was finally settled in February when business tycoon Vijay Mallya agreed to resign as chairman of USL. The exit deal included a $40m payout and the stipulation that he would not compete with Diageo/US in the global beverages market, except in Britain for the next five years. Now…

Million-case brands don’t tell the whole story – a strange utterance from a supplement that speaks only of million case brands, but entertain us for a moment. In 2015, the US tequila market – the number one global market – reached more than 12m 9-litre cases, growing 5% on the previous year. By 2020 this market is forecast to reach 18m, according to IWSR. Now cast…

Speaking to Drinks International at the Consejo Regulador in Jerez, César Saldaña said there is a sense among all the producers that there is a cycle of change in sherry and a new, evolving consumer base will change the drink in value rather than volume terms. Last year total sherry volumes declined by 2% in volume and grew 3% in value. Saldaña said: “We will…

The glass is definitely half full when it comes to the cognac category, with half the million-case brands experiencing double-digit growth in 2015. The pessimists might point out that sales were down 2% globally last year, but analysts have cause for optimism as the US continues to turn to cognac and the Asian market bottoms out. Euromonitor International predicts global brandy and cognac sales will grow 15% in…

Speaking at the International Cool Climate Wine Symposium in Brighton on Friday, Paul discussed the challenges involved in developing strong regional identities. He said there are very few examples of regions which really add something on an international level in terms of consumer franchise. “With a lot of these regions we are just adding confusion in the consumer’s mind. There is an astonishing level of…

………………………………………………………………. Vodka might be as flat as a pancake with projected global growth at 1% in the next five years, but any growth from such a large base is significant. Vodka is not in renaissance and doesn’t receive the kudos of its fellow white spirits but it does boast an impressive one third of the brands in this exclusive Millionaires’ Club. “Vodka continues to be…

______________________________________________________________ WINE IS THE EPITOME of romance. It’s a grape-based drink from the gods that is all about tradition and terroir. So what happens when you add passion fruit and peaches to it? What happens when you slap a colourful label on it and sell it in a six-pack? It might be sacrilege to some, but it sells. We’re not talking…

____________________________________________ IT’S AN ESSENTIAL IN any bartender’s arsenal and an ingredient in some of the most famous classic cocktails. Vermouth is by no means new, but it’s in resurgence and reaching new consumers far and wide.                                                                                         “2015 has been the year of a rediscovery of vermouth,” says Riserva Carlo Alberto marketing manager Fabio Torretta. “Born to be sipped by itself,…

The limited edition bottling – 51% abv – is the last Tastival expression to be overseen by Jura distillery manager, Willie Cochrane, who announced his retirement last week. Cochrane said: “Every limited edition is special, but this one’s particularly close to my heart as it commemorates my last Jura Tastival, which has been a highlight on my calendar for the past ten years.” The flavours…

Following its £200m acquisition of Matthew Clark in October, the company has traded strongly with sales up 4.9% on the corresponding prior period (53 weeks to 1 May 2015). The number of outlets supplied has increased 2.9% since acquisition with the number of customers also 2.9% higher. Diana Hunter, chief executive officer of Conviviality Plc, said: “We have successfully completed a transformational year for the…