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The SWA believes that industry success must not be taken for granted by the government and that such backing is vital for a sector that makes a substantial contribution to the UK economy. Julie Hesketh-Laird, SWA acting chief executive, said: “We are making a call for all candidates and political parties to show their support for Scotch Whisky – a strategically important industry for our…

The London Wine Fair will host the Grapevine Debate looking specifically at the effects on the UK wine market, while Vinexpo will hold a conference at Bordeaux’s Parc des Expositions to address the five key issues facing the European market. Ross Carter, LWF director, said: “When we canvassed our visitor and exhibitor audience on topics they were keen to see debated at The London Wine…

Other highlights include Château Cheval-Blanc 1947, Château Mouton Rothschild 1945 and a Vertical Collection of Dom Pérignon 1943 – 2006 which will all be on sale at the Spring Auctions in May. Simon Tam, head of Wine Asia, said: “These sales demonstrate our leadership position and pioneering spirit, as well as our extensive networks with private collectors and the best châteaus in the world. “This…

The four new wine masters are Brendan Butler, Mount Vernon winemaker, François Cillié, Stark-Condé marketing manager, Anton Swarts, Spier senior winemaker and Ivan Oertle, Grande Provence marketing manager. Butler specialised in white Bordeaux-style blends in South Africa while Cillié studied alternative anti-oxidants and preservatives in wine, specifically the viability of rooibos and honeybush wood. Swarts looked at tartrate stabilisation of wine in the South African…

The total volume of beer sold has declined by 0.5% globally, however the brewing giants made up for this loss with significant growth in China, Brazil and Mexico. The report stated: “Our global brands continued to show solid growth, with the combined portfolio growing revenue by over 12%. “Budweiser continued to perform well, supported by a powerful Chinese New Year campaign, as well as Super…

Canada is Scotch Whisky’s 15th largest market with exports worth £74 million by customs value a year and the new deal will bring a range of market access benefits and reduce the number of barriers to enter the country. Siobhan Sellers, head of Americas market access SWA, said: “We are firm believers in open markets and removing barriers to trade across the globe. “We will also…

To achieve the kosher status Het Anker brewery worked together with the strictly orthodox Jewish rabbinate in Antwerp and whisky and wine distributor CEDEV. CEDEV CEO, Moshe Cik, said: “During our search for a kosher whisky from Belgium, we came into contact with the people from De Molenberg Distillery and their single malt whisky. “We were immediately struck by this project and the way the…

The Dutch beer giants recently purchased the remaining 50% stake in Lagunitas Brewing while simultaneously employing the founder of the Californian company. Magee said on Tumblr: “Some who don’t fully understand it all may say it is selling out. Truth is that we did then, and are now ‘buying in’. “Money has value and equity has value too. I am using Lagunitas’ equity to buy…

The Louisville-based distillers will produce Old Forester Statesman which is set to go on sale from September across the UK and US, retailing at £45. Campbell Brown, president of Old Forester, said: “Old Forester is a brand with a great story to tell, and has a real role to play in Kingsman: The Golden Circle. “Old Forester Statesman, the bourbon we’ve created for the film…

Orbium contains the same distillates as Hendrick’s and is distilled in the same distillery using the same techniques, but with the addition of blue lotus blossom. Orbium was created by master distiller Lesley Gracie and the name derives from the word Orbis, Latin for ‘circle’. The gin will be available in 30 selected bars across the UK and the first batch will be just 5,000 bottles. Hendrick’s Gin…