As the conflict in Russia and Ukraine continues, it has been reported that The Kremlin has been urged to increase prices of vodka, in order to match inflation driven by the war.
It is in the lives of normal people that war’s impact is most profound. In Kyiv, under attack by Russia from land and air, the city’s bartenders are a compelling illustration. They are everyday civilians living everyday lives that now look unrecognisable from a week ago.
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.
Dutch group Marussia Beverages has purchased a controlling stake in Siberian vodka producer Itkulsky Distillery.
Russian consumers are turning to imported wines, especially sparkling wines, as traditional beverages such as vodka and beer decline in popularity, according to Wine Intelligence.
The Distilled Spirits Council of the US (DISCUS) has applauded the Senate's approval of legislation that will extend permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) to Russia.
Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organisation (WT0), after 18 years of negotiation, has been welcomed by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).
The Avalon Group has announced distributor Emporia Brands will roll out its Irish Whiskey brand The Wild Geese to the UK market.
Legislation granting permanent normal trade relations status (PNTR) to Russia has been introduced to the US Senate. The Distilled Spirits Council urged speedy passage in order for US distillers to gain many market access benefits of Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Central European Distribution Corporation (CEDC) has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with La Martiniquaise to distribute Label 5 whisky in Russia. La Martiniquaise announced the tie-up in December 2011.
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.
Anheuser-Busch InBev is to extend its official beer sponsorship to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia and the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar.
Russia: Pernod Ricard has teamed up with DJ Ferry Corsten to launch a limited edition bottle of Olmeca tequila. The product will be exclusive to Russia, where Olmeca holds a 41% market share.
Do you meet the Russian Standard? I recently met Russian Standard vodka founder Roustam Tariko’s college roommate. In fact, he works for the firm, too. Igor Galburt is the company’s global brand ambassador (though it also says on his business card executive VP corporate affairs – very American-sounding) and he came to give us a Russian Standard injection. Are you aware of the how the brand got its name, for example? I’ll tell you…
Diageo has announced the launch of super premium vodka Smirnov Titul to the Russian market.
Russia could be the next growth market for cider, according to a new report.
In his inaugural column for Drinks International, Branson takes a wider look at the overall non-alcoholic spirits sector to identify which brands will thrive and which won’t survive.
