Speyside whisky brand The Balvenie has announced the launch of French Oak 16 Year Old, marking the first use of French oak in the distillery’s 129-year history.

There wasn’t a huge amount to celebrate last year, but it doesn’t take much of an occasion for champagne corks to fly in the world’s best bars – almost 90% of our bars stock the French sparkler. Three-quarters have two champers and two-thirds have three or more.

French wine production will fall to its lowest levels since 1970 after late spring frosts ravaged several regions, according to the country’s agriculture ministry.

Pernod Ricard has taken a minority stake in the New York-based wine and spirits producer Sovereign Brands.

Outside I’ve got a five-litre, left-hand drive Mustang. That’s right, I watched The High Chaparral, I love everything American. So to make an American whiskey was a dream come true.”

A new law in Russia ordering French champagne to be labelled sparkling wine has caused unrest among producers.

Vineyards across France have been hit hard by overnight frosts, partially compromising the 2021 harvest.

Caribbean rum producers have joined forces with French group CIRT-DOM, to help get the best deal for their exports into major markets including the European Union.

Edrington Beam Suntory has launched a range of premixed cocktails designed to bring high-quality on-trade experiences into shoppers’ homes.

La Martiniquaise, the French spirits group, has announced that, Russian Alcohol Group  the Russian subsidiary of CEDC, will be the exclusive distributor of Label 5 scotch whisky in Russia from January. Label 5 claims to be the fast-growing tenth largest worldwide scotch brand.

US: Heaven Hill has launched a liqueur called Hpnotiq Harmonie. The new product is an infusion of French vodka, natural fruits, flowers, and cognac.  The mix includes berries, violets and lavender.

The absinthe ban in France has been lifted, according to absinthe brand La Fée.

The Rémy Cointreau Group has announced that it has entered into “exclusive negotiations with EPI” to sell its champagne division.

French wine barrel manufacturer, Groupe Charlois, has expanded into the US with the purchase of Winemakers Cooperage (WC) from Treasury Wine Estates.

According to the Scotch Whisky Association more than 5 bottles of scotch are shipped to France every second.