The Drinks Trade Regatta, the annual sailing event for the hospitality trade, has announced a new partnership with The Drinks Trust and Only A Pavement Away for 2026.

Just under 1,000km separates the two dominant brandy-producing regions of Spain. Between the north eastern Consejo Regulador del Brandy Penedès to the south western Consejo Regulador del Brandy de Jerez are three mountain ranges, four major cities and two different personalities. They both create Spanish brandy, but the products and the philosophies are very different.

Despite tariff wars and rising prices, champagne remains important to US consumers, but producers are aware that they need to adapt to the changing market.

Frank Schindler will take over as director of Prowein from 15 October 2025 as part of the show's repositioning strategy.

Clinton Cawood looks at the trajectory of an all time classic

Distilled Spirits Council CEO Chris Swonger has urged the Trump administration to push for zero-for-zero tariffs following the release of a joint trade statement between the US and EU.

The drinks industry has been left in suspense after a trade court in the US blocked Donald Trump from imposing global import tariffs.

After months of negotiations, the UK and EU have agreed on a new post-Brexit trade deal, with talks still continuing on a youth mobility scheme.

Maverick Drinks has announced the introduction of Bols Blue 1575 to its portfolio, as the liqueur launches in the UK for the on and off trade from this month. 

The UK and India have agreed a new trade deal which will see tariffs on gin and Scotch whisky fall to 40%.

African Originals, the Kenya-based cider, spirits and soft drinks company has entered Uganda with the launch of its premium craft cider range.

Stock Spirits Group has announced its acquisition of The Drinks Company, a UK-based independent spirits importer and distributor.

The Indian Malt Whisky Association (IMWA), first incorporated in July 2024, has announced its official launch.

Fortitude Drinks has gained the exclusive distribution rights for Venezuelan rum Pampero in the UK.

BCB has announced the date and venue for its 2025 London debut as it brings the bar and beverage trade show to England’s capital for the first time.

The bar trade has paid tribute to drinks industry veteran Chris Patino who passed following a battle with cancer.

The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) has sounded an alarm over the potential return and doubling of the EU’s retaliatory tariff on American whiskey in a new report.

Fords Gin, the London Dry Gin created by Simon Ford and tenth generation master distiller Charles Maxwell, has announced the opening of its new bar and brand home.

Australian spirits company Top Shelf International has launched its Act of Treason agave spirit in the domestic off-trade through Endeavour Group’s Dan Murphy’s.

Budweiser Brewing Group, part of AB InBev, will be the new distributor of Kopparberg products in the UK on-trade, effective from 28 May.

Edrington UK has announced the appointment of its latest UK brand diplomat for Maker’s Mark bourbon, Charlotte Pederson.

Burnt Faith has partnered with drinks specialists, Proof Drinks, to drive interest in British brandy houses across the UK.

Agile Media, owner of Drinks International, has agreed an exclusive deal with Imbibe Live to bring back The Sommelier Wine Awards for 2024.

SommCon, the San Diego, California-based conference for wine, beer and spirits education has announced the launch of its newly expanded trade show for import, distribution and on and off-premise alcohol beverage buyers. 

Rioja’s Ramón Bilbao is introducing a professional competition to find its ‘Spanish Wine Master’, as the brand continues on its mission to educate the trade about Spanish wine.

The Drinks Trust has appointed Guy Lawrence, CEO of Brockman’s Gin, as the new chair of the charity following Troy Christensen’s two-year tenure.

Estonian spirits producer, Liviko, and Conaxess Trade Beverages have signed a distribution agreement for Denmark.

Toku Saké, a new super premium saké, has announced the release of Junmai Daiginjo, its debut liquid. 

London Cocktail Week kicks off on Thursday 13 October and for 11 days it promises to be the biggest yet, involving 350 bars spread across the capital.

Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng has announced that planned increases in alcohol duty have been ditched in his mini-budget.

Diageo has announced its preliminary results for the year, ended 30 June 2022, with strong performance and investments into long-term growth.

With Patrón discontinuing its popular XO Café, the tequila liqueur category has opened up to other brands – and it’s a popular space, finds Shay Waterworth.

Trade disputes resulting in crippling tariffs have been lifted after four years, but will America and its export countries find a permanent peace?

Old Mout is launching its biggest campaign yet to spread awareness of its partnership with WWF by introducing limited edition cider glasses.

Having recently returned from the US visiting both Oakland and Arizona Cocktail Weeks I was amazed by the differences in approach. In Oakland there was a much bigger trade focus and it felt more relaxed, whereas in Arizona it was one massive party for consumers.

The Roma Bar Show has announced that it will return for a second edition as a two-day event on 30 and 31 May.

The announcement of Martin Green’s departure from Drinks International marks the end of an era for Agile Media and a significant loss for the wider drinks trade.

An industry expert believes that boycotts on Russian vodka across the US will have little impact on the war due to the divide between ‘control states’ and those under the three tier system.

Surging demand for premium spirits powered Pernod Ricard’s 17% year-on-year sales growth in the six months to December 31, 2021.

New Zealand Winegrowers has launched an online portal designed to support the trade in major export markets around the world.

Quintessential Brands has launched its ‘Spirit Centre’ - an innovation hub  for all channels which aims to improve customer collaboration.

The organisers of Prowein have decided to push the trade show back from March to May in response to the rapid spread of the omicron variant of Covid-19.

Camden Town Brewery aims to save Christmas from bad gift givers in its first ever festive TV ad campaign.

UK gin producers have called upon Chancellor Rishi Sunak to freeze duty on spirits after revealing that exports have plummeted 35% as a result of the pandemic.

London Cocktail Week has once again been extended to the whole month of October for 2021 and the full trade schedule has been released.

Popular trade show Cape Wine will return to Cape Town from October 5-7, 2022.

RumFest will return in person with a real life event for 2021 taking place between 15-17th October in London.