France was hit by its worst spring frost since 1947. Agriculture minister Julien Denormandie called it “the greatest agricultural catastrophe of the beginning of the 21st century,” and the government declared an agricultural disaster. Eighty per cent of vineyards were effected and more than a third of France’s 2021 vintage has been lost to a tune of an estimated $2 billion.

Many argue they protect and add value to a product through provenance and quality guarantee – think Scotch whisky. However some believe they can be restrictive and limit innovation – again, think Scotch. Nevertheless it is far easier to edit an existing GI than it is to establish a new one, particularly when the reputations of existing brands are at stake.

While curing a global pandemic seems ambitious from these herbal remedies, they are beginning to make an impact in the drinks industry – particularly through cocktail menus. Adaptogens, nootropics and endorphins are the new buzzwords hitting cocktail menus under the umbrella term of ‘functional drinks’, which are generally non-alcoholic drinks with perceived health benefits. Camille Vidal, founder of La…

During the 4-week period ended 11 July, US sales slowed to 4% growth with fewer new customers entering the fray. Shares of Boston Beer Company, which owns the market’s second most popular hard seltzer brand Truly, lost a quarter of their value last Friday after chief executive Dave Burwick said in a statement that the company “overestimated the growth of the hard seltzer category in…

The Ripples 2.0 printer was unveiled at the Diageo World Class cocktail competition, which saw Canada’s James Grant triumph following five days of challenges. Ripples teamed up with Diageo to create a Ketel One-branded printer that jazzes up the tops of espresso martinis. Entrepreneur Yossi Meshulam founded Ripples in 2012 after spotting an opportunity to launch viral marketing campaigns on the tops of beverages. The…

There’s a buzz about Italian spirits in many markets. Campari and Aperol are kicking up a storm in aperitif drinking occasions through spritz and other mixer serves, while amaro is getting some love on the back of the wider trend for herbal, digestif-style liqueurs. The stage would seem set for an amaretto revival. After all, its name translates into English as “little bitter” and all…

James Rackham, better known as Daddy Rack, is far from conventional. Having been born above his father’s independent wine shop on London’s Portobello Road, Rackham was destined to work in the trade and in 1968 his father organised him a summer apprenticeship with the Camus family, inflaming a passion for French spirits. “My dad expected me to go straight into the…