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

Diageo shareholders were toasting chief executive Ivan Menezes after he said they can expect to receive billions of pounds in share buybacks or special dividends. The Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker and Guinness producer announced that organic profit should grow by at least 14% in the year to 30 June.

Nick Strangeway on how bars must adapt to a new and improved hospitality sector as we emerge from lockdown.

We caught up with Katie Souter of Vin-X to learn more about why fine wine could make an appealing investment opportunity during the current economic climate.

While New Zealand has managed the pandemic better than most, a lack of tourism and difficulties with shipping have taken a toll on wine sales. Martin Green reports.

UK gin exports decreased by £100 million in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to new figures from HM Revenue & Customs.

The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States has released a statement praising the ‘great starting place’ created by the senate’s passage of a $28.6bn relief package for hospitality.

The UK government has announced a second consecutive duty freeze on spirits, wine, beer and cider.

Heineken has announced plans to cut 8,000 jobs as part of an organisational restructuring effort designed to save €2 billion by 2023.

The Tales of the Cocktail Foundation has joined the Hospitality Recovery Coalition, which advocates for legislation to support the on-trade in light of the economic impacts of COVID-19.

The Portman Group has announced that Matt Lambert will replace John Timothy as chief executive in January 2021.

Naked Wines enjoyed 79.6% revenue growth in the six months to September 28 after demand for online wine purchases soared during the lockdown.

The Rueda wine region plans to significantly ramp up its focus on export markets after overhauling its Denomination of Origin regulations.

BrewDog has launched a craft beer advent calendar with support from DS Smith and Glenhaze.

Spanish drinks producer Zamora Company has reported that turnover increased 6.3% to €208 million in 2019.

A strong domestic performance ensured that Brown-Forman net sales decreased by just 2% year-on-year in the three months to July 31, 2020.

Danish brewer Carlsberg expects to report an organic operating decline of 10% to 15% this year as a result of on-trade closures.

Not long ago, India was known as a country that produced whisky from molasses, and the majority of sales came from the category of spirits called IMFL (Indian Made Foreign Liquor).

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered all bars to shut their doors after a spike in Covid-19 cases across the state.

Naked Wines has reported 81% year-on-year revenue growth during April and May as online orders spiked during the coronavirus lockdown.

British beer sales have plummeted to a 20-year low after pubs and bars across the country were closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Tax Free World Association has been forced to cancel the duty free sector’s biggest annual networking event due to uncertainty surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic.

South African wine producers have been cleared to resume exports after the country’s coronavirus lockdown was eased.

Spanish producer Zamora Company has reported that wine and spirits sales in China have recovered as the country emerges from a sweeping coronavirus lockdown.

Pernod Ricard has revealed a 15% organic decline in sales for the three months to March 31.

AB Inbev has slashed its proposed dividend in half due to the uncertainty, volatility and continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Diageo has suspended share buybacks for the rest of the year as a result of financial uncertainty sparked by the coronavirus outbreak.

South African producers have received permission to export their wine around the world after intensive lobbying efforts over the past week.

Pernod Ricard has pledged Rs 15 crore ($2 million) to boost healthcare facilities across India as it prepares to battle the coronavirus outbreak.

Members of the British drinks trade that have lost their income due to the coronavirus outbreak can apply for a one-off grant worth £250 this week.

Remy Cointreau expects to report a 9% decrease in revenue for the 2019/20 fiscal year due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

A new initiative promises to transform shuttered British bars into click and collect food stores during the coronavirus crisis.

Bars and nightclubs will be the last businesses to reopen when Italy’s coronavirus lockdown ends, a leading virologist has warned.

South African wineries are now permitted to finish the 2020 harvest after the government added them to the list of essential businesses during the coronavirus lockdown.

The US off-trade has seen soaring sales of wine, spirits and beer as shoppers stocked up ahead of a lengthy coronavirus lockdown, according to Nielsen stats.

Bacardi has set up a $3m fund to help bar owners and bartenders make ends meet during the global coronavirus lockdown.

The London Wine Fair is the latest high profile-event to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic that has swept the world.

St Patrick’s Day could become a sombre affair this year as bars across the world have been forced to shut their doors due to the coronavirus pandemic.