Attracting younger wine drinkers and in-country representation is key to success in Asia, says research commissioned by Messe Düsseldorf, the company behind ProWein.

Susanne Stauß takes a closer look at the global sparkling wine market

Pernod Ricard has achieved its highest-level of growth since before the global recession, thanks to strong sales in Asia and a rallying performance in mature markets.  

With all the bans on absinthe now lifted, the traditional French and Swiss producers are now free to re-invent the category for the 21st century. Hamish Smith investigates

Rémy Cointreau's consolidated turnover for the 2011/12 financial year was €1,026.1 million, an increase of 13% (up 15.6% organically) compared with the previous year.

The scotch whisky category belied global economic instability in 2011 by growing sales value 23% to a record £4.2billion.

Consumers in Australia’s top two export markets are abandoning its wines for cheaper alternatives leaving producers wondering if Asia will grow big enough to compensate for US and UK declines. By Graham Holter

Irish Distillers has announced its St Patrick's Day plans for Jameson.

Heineken has announced net profits of €1.5 billion before one-off items, an increase of 9.2%.

Beam, the US-based global premium spirits company, has announced that Arthur Aroney will join the organisation as managing director of Emerging Markets for its Asia Pacific/South America (APSA) region.

Diageo, through its Johnnie Walker brand, has launched a social media project to get communities involved in either technology, arts or business projects.

Champagne Jacquesson has announced the launch of two single-vineyard champagnes from 2002 to global markets.

The importance of the so-called emerging markets such as those in China, India, was underlined by the Pernod Ricard management  team in individual briefings in London today (Tuesday September 6), following the announcement of the group’s annual results last week.

Pernod Ricard has posted annual organic sales growth of 7% to achieve a turnover of €7.6b.

Diageo has cited ‘emerging markets’ as a reason for its positive results – including 16% growth in scotch whisky in emerging markets. 

Owners of traditional products such as champagne and cognac need to show some humility in their dealings with new emerging markets, according to the president and CEO of Groupe Renaud Cointreau.

Drinks International and Euromonitor International have published the Millionaires Club 2011. The report lists spirits brands that sell over one million nine-litre cases. A record 172 brands feature in this year’s edition and figures are based on 2010 sales volumes.

Chivas Brothers has launched a new special edition Beefeater gin. Developed by master distiller Desmond Payne, Beefeater London Market Gin will be available for a limited period from June 2011 in key global markets, including Spain, UK, Turkey and Bulgaria.

Russia could be the next growth market for cider, according to a new report.

Diageo has initiated discussions to take over 50% of Guatemalan rum brand Zacapa.

Scotch whisky exports are up 17% compared with last year, with nine of the category’s top ten markets in growth.

Altia has signed an agreement to acquire cognac brand Renault from Pernod Ricard for a cash consideration of €10m.

Cognac brand Courvoisier has undertaken a global repackaging of its VS label, starting with the UK and US markets.

Ballantine’s has unveiled its first seasonal limited edition whisky entitled Christmas Reserve.

Havana Club International is to launch an ultra premium rum.

The number of brands meeting the criteria of The IWSR’s Elite Brands has fallen from 22 in 2009 to just 10 in 2010. Ukrainian vodka Nemiroff has taken the top spot.

Estonia: Liviko is to become the sole representative of Bacardi-Martini Group’s products in Estonia.

Cuba: Havana Club rum sales fell by 3.5% in 2009, compared to 2008.

Global exports of scotch whisky reached record levels in 2009 despite the economic downturn in some major markets, according to annual figures published by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).