Franco Luxardo’s introduction into the drinks industry was more dramatic than most. He was still a boy at the end of World War II, when three family members were killed by communist partisans led by the future president Tito of Yugoslavia and the remainder of the family driven into exile in Italy. Though the family’s roots are in Italy, the family liqueur business was founded…

News that a wine created specifically to go with Asian food is to be launched in India brings the old British adage of “taking coals to Newcastle” to mind. Pink Elephant, a Portuguese rosé wine, has been picked up by United Vintners, which is part of the Indian group United Breweries, the third largest spirits producer in the world. That may not be a…