To raise awareness and in support of Israeli wineries, the Israeli Wine Producers Association (IWPA), a trade organisation promoting Israeli wineries through wine education and events, has plead for investment.

Mezcal has become a spirits category for the cool kids. But so much sudden attention on the agave spirit leaves its producers, which are often small-scale operations, and the slow-growing agave crop, open to exploitation.

The Negroni Sbagliato has become the darling of millennials thanks to a TikTok clip. Shay Waterworth says it’s opening new doors for vermouth producers.

Portugal’s association of wine traders, Anceve, has called on the government for economic support as it warns rising costs have left many small- and medium-sized producers “on the verge of bankruptcy”.

Japanese whisky continues to go from strength to strength as shochu producers turn to the category to make their mark in international markets.

South Africa has suffered greater than most countries during the Covid-19 pandemic. It has reported three times as many cases as any other African country, and many of the government’s attempts to curb the virus – closing borders, prohibiting or restricting the domestic sale of alcohol, and banning the transport of goods to the country’s ports – have had a damaging impact on the wine industry.

UK gin producers have called upon Chancellor Rishi Sunak to freeze duty on spirits after revealing that exports have plummeted 35% as a result of the pandemic.

A new law in Russia ordering French champagne to be labelled sparkling wine has caused unrest among producers.

The 2021 South African wine harvest has been estimated at 1,461,599 tonnes, 8.9% larger than in 2020.

Three organic wine producers in Bordeaux have joined forces in a bid to promote a sustainable future for the region.

A U-turn on regulations for mezcal has left producers confused about quality control. Shay Waterworth reports.

Caribbean rum producers have joined forces with French group CIRT-DOM, to help get the best deal for their exports into major markets including the European Union.

Several spirits brands will be featured at the first ever virtual expo hosted by the Caribbean Export Development Agency on November 17-18.

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

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

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.

Tuscany

21 December, 2012

With classic regions and the famous Super-Tuscan wines, exports are Tuscany’s life blood. Christian Davis reports

Review: Bar Convent Berlin

12 October, 2012

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

Armagnac

14 August, 2012

Armagnac is arguably the closest spirit to wine in terms of provenance, raw materials and the outlook of the growers, producers and brand owners. Christian Davis reports

As the third consecutive "great" Beaujolais vintage readies for market and glasses, the talk in the region has turned to another newcomer, the newly formed appellation of Coteaux Bourguignon.

Vodka company Russian Standard has purchased a 9.9% share in CEDC (Central European Distribution Corporation) for $25.35 million.

French distributor DIVA (Distribution Internationale de Vins et Alcools) has created DIVA South Africa to market some of the country’s ‘premium’ wines to an international audience.

The Bureau National Interprofessionnel de l’Armagnac (BNIA) has reported that distillation in the region – ‘La Flamme de l’Armagnac’ - commenced yesterday (October 5).

Les Compagnons du Cognac, a social enterprise designed to support and protect small and independent producers of VSOP and XO cognac, is about to be launched.

UK wine retailer Naked Wines has launched a new service that allows UK wine drinkers to buy wines for less than they cost at the cellar door.

Europe’s spirits producers have launched a catalogue of industry-led programmes to reduce alcohol related harm.

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