It’s been a sobering quarter for hard seltzer. Sales of the canned RTD that disrupted the US alcohol market when it burst onto the scene in 2016, have for the first time, stalled.

Trivento has been revealed as the world’s best-selling Argentine wine brand in a report by IWSR Drinks Market Analysis.

Nick Strangeway on the pros and cons for bartenders taking on an ambassadorial role in post-Covid times.

Diageo has become the first ever official spirits sponsor of the NFL.

Lager brand Stella Artois is auctioning off NFTs of virtual racehorses on the Ethereum blockchain.

When Stephen Davies arrived at Penderyn in 2004, the Welsh whisky industry had lain dormant for almost a century. Nowadays it’s an established category with a growing reputation for quality.

Singer and songwriter Ellie Goulding has acquired a ‘significant stake’ in premium hard seltzer brand Served.

Nick Strangeway looks at how travel restrictions have left a permanent impression on the global bar trade.

Hollywood star Pedro Pascal has signed up as the new global ambassador for Chilean wine brand Casillero del Diablo.

Flor de Caña has pledged to plant more than one million trees by 2025 through its own annual reforestation program called ‘Together for a Greener Future’.

Super premium brand KAH Tequila is planning large-scale global expansion in 2021 starting with China and Russia.

Tito’s Handmade Vodka has entered a new distribution agreement with Genova-based Velier S.p.A for the Italian market.

Scotch brand Monkey Shoulder has teamed up with Fever-Tree in a bid to create the ultimate mixing pack for the off-trade channel.

Pure Piraña, Heineken’s hard seltzer brand, has announced an expansion into Europe following its exports into Mexico and New Zealand last year.

Drinks International caught up with Ferrari Trento chief executive Matteo Lunelli to learn more about the brand’s new Formula One sponsorship deal.

The founders of super-premium tequila brand VIVIR have launched a new mixto tequila brand called El Sueño to bridge a gap in the market and support sustainable practices.

Diageo has maintained its acquisition drive by snapping up the firm that produces the Lone River Ranch Water hard seltzer brand.

Pernod Ricard has announced a new multi-million-pound marketing campaign for Beefeater starting on 19 April targeting 25-34-year-olds.

More than 31 million bottles of the I Heart wine brand were sold in 2020 after it enjoyed significant growth in several international markets.

French distributor BBC Spirits has bolstered its portfolio with several UK spirits brands as it bids to drive growth in 2021.

Kendall Jenner has become the latest celebrity to launch a tequila brand with the release of 818 Tequila on Tuesday 16 February.

Hard seltzer brand White Claw has launched its Mango variety in the UK through supermarket chain Tesco.

Moët Hennessy has launched Cuban rum brand Eminente in the UK, France, Germany and the Czech Republic.

Class Bar Magazine has launched a new website which will provide the latest news and insights into the UK bar industry.

Martin Miller’s Gin has unveiled a new ad campaign that tells the story of the brand’s “transformation from a mad idea to a genius gin”.

The UK hard seltzer market is expected to reach a value of £75m by 2023 according to a report commissioned by DRTY.

Freixenet Copestick cemented its status as the UK’s leading supplier of sparkling wine by increasing sales 21% over the Christmas trading period.

JW Filshill, the Glasgow-based wholesaler, has acquired Eldorado Tonic Wine as part of its purchase of KB Agencies for an undisclosed sum.

The Macallan has revealed Folio 6, the latest instalment in the Scottish distillery’s Archival Series which takes inspiration from classic advertising campaigns of the brand

Non-alcoholic spirit brand Ceder's has announced a digital programme designed to promote health and wellness.

Heineken has unveiled plans to make Amstel one of the bestselling beer brands in the Chinese market.

Kingfisher has launched a 6x33cl can format in time for the festive trading period as it bids to ramp up off-trade sales.

Drinks International caught up with Martin Miller’s new brand ambassador to learn more about the brand’s new seasonal gin.

The former managing directors of Greene King and Ei Group have invested in Hofmeister after growing excited by its potential to take the world beer category by storm.

Quintessential Brands is launching a marketing push across its leading gin brands in the run-up to the festive trading period.

Guinness has become the latest major beer brand to launch an alcohol-free variant in a bid to capitalise upon growing consumer demand for the category.

Templeton Rye has released a limited-edition Caribbean Rum Cask Finish expression into the domestic and export markets.

Bartenders can win cash prizes by entering the Grow Your Own Cocktail web challenge launched by Irish whiskey brand Jameson.

Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka has been appointed as creative director for SOTO after investing in the premium sake brand.

Diageo will purchase Aviation Gin and several sister brands in a deal worth up to $610 million.

A former Diageo marketing executive has launched the world’s first dedicated talent agency for influential bartenders.

Gin brand Beefeater has launched a global advertising campaign designed to celebrate the spirit of London.

Borco has invested in a redesign for its Finsbury gin range and launched a Wild Strawberry variant to attract new consumers.

Spanish wine producer Codorníu has announced that Sergio Fuster will take over as chief executive in September.

Dutch producer Gin 1689 has appointed specialist firm GinBuilders to distribute the brand in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Martin Miller’s has launched a seasonal gin called Summerful to celebrate the brand’s 20^th anniversary.

Drinks International has named Louis Roederer as the World’s Most Admired Champagne Brand in 2020, a magazine which ranks champagne brands from 1-30 based on the votes of the world's top wine experts.

It’s all about the branding for craft beers trying to get noticed in a crowded marketplace. Shay Waterworth gets under the skin of funky designs