The Covid-19 pandemic has wrought havoc on the global drinks industry presenting business owners with a formidable set of challenges. Yet for winemakers in Lebanon it represents just another obstacle in a long list of trials and tribulations they have overcome in recent times.

Liquor stores will be permitted to remain open in New York, New Jersey and California during the coronavirus pandemic after they were declared “essential businesses”.

London Cocktail Week organisers have announced that it will be moving The Cocktail Village to a new bigger venue on Brick Lane.

Aquavit, ‘the water of life’ was all but dead in the water thanks to younger drinkers’ aversion to it. but now all that is changing, as Hamish Smith discovers

Havana Club has unveiled a new label for its Havana Club Añejo Especial rum that reflects the vibrancy of Cuba and aims to communicate the "quality and authentic" production process of the rum.

Some new faces have appeared on the Jalisco horizon but is Tequila Town big enough for all of them? Hamish Smith takes a wander over yonder

In our new series, Cihan Anadologlu, head bartender at Schumann’s Bar (number 23 in the World’s 50 Best Bars), gives the lowdown on the Munich scene

For the first time Asia-Pacific is the largest duty free/travel retail region in the world, having overtaken Europe, says the president of TFWA.

The 2012 vintage is down more than 20% in places, but the Kiwis are happy to try to strike a balance between demand and supply. Christian Davis reports

Bacardi has named Team USA winners of the 42 Below Cocktail World Cup 2012, which took place at the vodka brand's home, New Zealand.

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.

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.

Diageo has announced that it is submiting pre-planning applications for three potential locations for a new malt whisky distillery.

Blossom Hill, one of the UK’s most popular wine brands, is receiving its largest ever advertising support, including £2.2m on media alone.

Diageo has launched the John Walker & Sons Odyssey, a new Johnnie Walker blend which is being rolled out initially in the Asia Pacific region.

New Zealand winemankers Tiki Wines has released a 2011 Pinot Gris to the UK, Finland, Iceland, Channel Islands, Ireland and the domestic market.

Bacardi Limited, the largest privately-held spirits company in the world, has announced the appointment of Siddik Tetík as regional president of Asia Pacific.

Diageo has unveiled a new Guinness TV advert in collaboration with Saatchi & Saatchi entitled Paint the Town Black.

Treasury Wine Estates and Accolade Wines has announced that TWE will pack wine for Accolade in Australia with Accolade will pack wine for TWE in the UK.

David Cox, director – Europe for New Zealand Winegrowers has left the organisation to pursue other interests and projects.

The Sherry Institute of Spain has appointed Beltrán Domecq as its new president.

The Macallan has unveiled a new range, the 1824 Series, which is being rolled out into the UK market this autumn.

The general assembly of the of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV, has announced the election of Claudia Inés Quini, deputy head of research at the National Institute for Vitiviniculture of Argentina (INV), as its incoming president.

Vergelegen, one of South Africa’s best wine producers, has unveiled a new wine, DNA.

Concha y Toro, the largest wine producer in Latin America, is committed to developing and improving the Californian wine producer, Fetzer, which it bought from Brown Forman in March 2011.

Pernod Ricard UK has promoted Chris Ellis to the role of commercial director of wines, with effect from July 1, 2012. 

William Grant & Sons has appointed Glenn Gordon as non-executive chairman.

New Zealand Winegrowers has announced the dates and details of its Pinot Noir conference, 2013

Diageo has opened a US$5m Captain Morgan visitors’ centre as part of of its new distillery in the US Virgin Islands.

The Edrington Group has announced the appointments of new distillery managers at its single malt scotch brands Highland Park and The Macallan.

The Edrington Group has announced the appointments of new distillery managers at its single malt scotch brands Highland Park and The Macallan.

Sazerac has launched two new flavour editions of its Wave Vodka brand to the US market, called Wave Baja and Wave Lemon Lime.

The McLaren Vale Grape, Wine and Tourism Association (MVGWTA), the generic body that represents growers in the premium wine producing region in south-east Australia, has announced the appointment of a new chief executive officer.

Edinburgh-based Scotch Whisky Experience has opened the doors to its whisky shop, following a £1million refurbishment.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association, the lead body for the UK wine and spirits sectors, has announced the appointment of Miles Beale as its new chief executive.

Bacardi Global Travel Retail has appointed Mike Birch to the role of managing director.

Australia: Stolichnaya has signed a five-year distribution deal with island2island Beverage Company.

Diageo GTME Americas has launched two new products under the Johnnie Walker brand. Johnnie Walker Platinum Label and Johnnie Walker Gold Reserve will launch in the Americas first, followed by a global roll-out in travel retail in the first half of 2012.

Bacardi has appointed a new CEO, following the retirement of Séamus McBride.

Gifting remains the driving force behind wine sales growth in China, according to research by Wine Intelligence.

William Grant has released Glenfiddich’s first-ever vatted ‘vintage reserve’, the 1974 Glenfiddich Vintage Reserve which the company claims was selected by a global panel of 16 experts.

Rexam, the can maker, has announced that it has been chosen by Beam Global Spirits and Wine India to provide the can for its new Teacher's ready-to-drink variant.

Chivas Brothers is introducing a new look for its Plymouth gin brand, re-positioning it above Beefeater 24, as a “super premium-plus”.

LVMH has appointed new chief executive officers for its champagne brands Moet & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin.

UK: Grupo Codorníu has made four appointments. Carolyn d’Aguilar and Susannah Bearne move internally to roles in the marketing department while Jake Crimmin and Tom Barton join the UK sales team.

Rémy Martin is to introduce a new expression of its VSOP cognac for the European market. VSOP Mature Cask Finish is to replace VSOP in Europe, while the rest of the world will continue to receive the original VSOP cognac.

Dom Pérignon has announced the global launch of its 2003 vintage, the champagne house’s first since last year's 2002 release. 

ProWein organisers Messe Düsseldorf, has announced that next year’s show will be bigger with the opening of an additional hall.

US: Diageo has launched two new Smirnoff flavours. Whipped Cream and Fluffed Marshmallow are to be fronted by model and socialite Amber Rose.