Resilient off-trade sales in the USA and Europe helped Pernod Ricard rally during the first quarter of fiscal 2021.

Remy Cointreau has reported a 16.4% decrease in sales for the first half of its fiscal year after the pandemic ravaged its on-trade business.

Some of the world’s leading drinks brands are celebrating after securing trophies and gold medals at the 2020 Travel Retail Awards.

AB InBev will spend $200,000 annually over a five year commitment to help black students qualify for careers in brewing.

The Glenturret has unveiled a new core range as it plans to launch in the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and New Zealand next month.

Whisky writer Becky Paskin has criticised Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible for “sexist and vulgar” language that allows the objectification of women in whisky.

Ballantine’s has honoured its founder by launching a seven-year-old blend finished in bourbon barrels.

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.

Sales of spirits, wine and beer continue to soar in the US off-trade as shoppers shun bars and restaurants in favor of drinking at home.

Campari has reported that organic sales declined 11.3% in the first six months of 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Lebanese wine producer Ixsir is ramping up its focus on exports after the domestic market was hit by a double whammy of hyperinflation and Covid-19.

Rémy Cointreau suffered a 32.8% year-on-year sales decline in the three months to June 30 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Heineken has reported a 52.5% decline in first-half earnings after the Covid-19 pandemic took a toll on its on-trade business.

A private barrel selection bottling of Michter’s 10 Year Old bourbon has sold for a record £166,000 ($209,462) at a charity auction in London.

The Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG produced and sold a record 92 million bottles in 2019 after enjoying a large harvest the previous year.

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.

China’s alcoholic drinks production sector decreased by 8.6% to 249.7 billion yuan ($35.2 billion) in the first four months of 2020, according to new government figures.

Alcoholic beverage sales have remained steady in Finland during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to new stats from monopoly retailer Alko.

More than 2,100 bars and clubs in Seoul were shut down this weekend after 18 new coronavirus cases were linked to a single reveller.

AB Inbev has warned that Q2 trading will be “materially worse” than the previous three months due to brewery closures and supply chain disruption.

Rémy Cointreau has reported a sales decline of 9% for the 2019/20 financial year as a result of a significant slump in Q4.

Heineken has reported a 14% drop in volume sales during March as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Engagement with alcoholic drinks brands on social media has increased by more than 300% during the coronavirus lockdown, according to social analytics agency ListenFirst.

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

Sales of beer, wine and spirits grew by a remarkable 67% in the UK off-trade during the week to March 21.

AB Inbev has drawn down the entirety of a $9bn loan facility from global banks as it bids to ride out the coronavirus outbreak.

Brands Report: Scotch Whisky

08 January, 2018

The previously unassailable Johnnie Walker could be showing signs of weakness, finds Hamish Smith

Diageo’s Bulleit holds both top spots for the third year running. Shay Waterworth reports

Brands Report: Vodka

04 January, 2018

There’s been little change in the best sellers, with the top brands all holding, says Hamish Smith

Pre-Mixed Challenge 2017

16 September, 2016

 

Bibendum CEO Michael Saunders has warned the UK wine trade that business conditions will remain “tough” in 2013 and voiced his “violent objections” to minimum unit proposals.

Pernod Ricard launched Absolut Exposure last night at an event at TFWA Cannes.

Review: Bar Convent Berlin

12 October, 2012

Bar Convent Berlin attracted 5,700 visitors this year, a 20% increase on 2011.

Eastern promise

18 September, 2012

With ProWein 2013 in mind, Thomas Brandl finds out how winemakers in central and south-eastern Europe have made efforts to modernise and become more competitive.

The International Wine Challenge held is annual bash at the Hilton on London’s Park Lane last night at which all its trophy winners were announced.

Macallan Gold has launched exclusively to the UK, with about 50 European markets and Canada to receive the new pale single malt scotch whisky next spring.

Diageo releases rare scotches

04 September, 2012

Diageo has announced the release of some rare single malt scotch whiskies to be launched this autumn in the Special Releases series. All are at natural cask strength.

Chivas Brothers boss Christian Porta has told journalists and analysts today that the next significant development for its scotch whisky business will be to build a new distillery.

Distell, South Africa’s leading wine and spirits producer, has reported a 15% growth in revenue for the year to June 2012 and a 9.9% increase in sales volumes across its portfolio of wines, spirits and RTDs in both domestic and international markets.

Diageo has announced a 6% net sales growth and 9% increase in operating profit for the year ended June 30, 2012.

Bacardi has announced the appointment of Ron Anderson as senior vice president and chief commercial officer.

Despite challenging Portuguese economic conditions, Vinho Verde exports are on the increase and will become more competitive in the global market place, according to the Vinho Verde Commission (CVRVV).

The Macallan 64 Year Old Lalique Cire Perdue is world’s most expensive whisky sold at auction – that’s official.

on 08 June, 2012

It was a glitteirng evening at Jamaica House in the island's capital, Kingston. A balmy evening in a superb setting.  The Jamaican prime minister, Portia Simpson Miller, more than played her part in launching Appleton Estate Jamaican Independence Reserve, which coincides with the island's celebrations to mark ithe anniversary of 50 years of independence.

Wine journalist, Tim Atkin MW and d'Arenberg owner and winemaker Chester Osborn, were both named as recipients of the Wine Intelligence 10 for 10 Business Award.

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.

Events firm Brintex has voiced optimism ahead of this year’s London International Wine Fair (LIWF) and Distil despite the absences of Pernod Ricard, Percy Fox (Diageo’s UK wine division) and PLB.

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

Digital Edition

Drinks International digital edition is available ahead of the printed magazine. Don’t miss out, make sure you subscribe today to access the digital edition and all archived editions of Drinks International as part of your subscription.

Comment

La'Mel Clarke

Service isn’t servitude: the skill of hosting

La’Mel Clarke, front of house at London’s Seed Library, looks at the forgotten art of hosting and why it deserves the same respect as bartending.

Instagram

Facebook