SABMiller’s Ugandan subsidiary, Nile Breweries Limited (NBL), has opened its new brewery in Mbarara, western Uganda.

Diageo and the Irish Whiskey Company (IWC) have announced that they have entered into an agreement in principal concerning the future ownership of the Great Northern Brewery site, Dundalk. 

The Wiener Gemischte Satz region has become a DAC (Districtus Austriae Controllatus).

National Calvados Week takes place in the UK between October 14 and 20.

The SPI Group has appointed Chase International Inc. as its new exclusive distributor of Stolichnaya vodka and elit by Stolichnaya, in the US duty free market.

United Spirits board of directors has appointed former Diageo CEO, Paul Walsh, as an additional director of the company with immediate effect.

Sparkling wine is projected to see the most growth in Australia's wine market, according to Canadean. 

Northern Irish cider producer Armagh Cider has secured investment to develop business in new markets including Europe and the US. 

Diageo has unveiled what it claims is the world’s first accelerator programme, set up to encourage, nurture and mentor new and growing spirits brands.

The first Mauritius Rum Festival will take place later this month with the aim of promoting the Mauritian rum industry globally.

Gruppo Campari has posted its half term results - sales of €698.6 million. 13% up but group net profit is down 26.1% to €57.6m.

China has agreed to discuss dropping its EU wine tax, a move that would bring to an end a trade dispute that threatened European wine exports.

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has announced that latest figures show that worldwide student numbers for the academic year 2012/13, just finished, stand at an all-time high of 48,434, up 12% on the previous year.

AB Inbev has announced that the first half of 2013 has seen its revenue grow 2.7%, despite volumes falling by 2.6% (compared with H1 2012).

Fair Trade Agreements between the EU and Colombia, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama will come into force today, according to the Scotch Whisky Association.

Diageo has reported steady net sales growth of 5%, despite Asia Pacific's revenues slowing and Western Europe continuing to falter.

Rémy has appointed a new chief financial officer following Frédéric Pflanz ‘s planned ascension to the CEO role.

Buffalo Trace whiskey distributor Hi-Spirits has appointed John Vider to the newly-created role of commercial director.

A boutique winery is being installed in west London with the intention of processing grapes from the likes of Bordeaux, Languedoc and the Roussillon and making wine from September.

The Scotch Whisky Association has responded to reports today (July 25) that there is major opposition from several European countries to Scotland’s yet to be enacted law a minimum price for a unit of alcohol.

A group of drinks journalists are set to run a half marathon in memory of their colleague and friend Alan Lodge.

Beam has appointed a new president for its Asia Pacific/South America business. 

Richard Grosche, joint editor-in-chief of both Meininger’s Weinwelt and Sommelier Magazin, is joining the Reichsrat von Buhl estate winery in January.

Pernod Ricard has appointed a marketing director for its Olmeca tequila brand.

Quintessential Brands, the independent European spirits group has announced the formation of new company, Essential Drinks.

Diageo has received approval from the Chinese authorities to buy the remaining 47% stake in Sichuan Chengdu Shuijingfang Group Company Ltd. (SJF Holdco).

The board of the DOCa Rioja has made a grape grower its new president, the first time in the 88-year history of the DOCa.

UK alcohol sales are increasing in value but decreasing in volume as a part of a consumer trend to drink less but better, according to the First Drinks Market Report.

Leon Dalloway from C.O.L.D Bar in London has been crowned winner of the Inspired by Sloane's cocktail competition.

Crème de Cassis de Dijon Gabriel Boudier was named Supreme Champion at the International Spirits Challenge awards ceremony last night.

Les Vignobles Foncalieu’s AOC Corbieres Chateau Haut Gleon Blanc 2012 has launched, targeted at the on-trade in Germany, China and the UK.

Hite-Jinro would consider selling a share of its business to Diageo, according to the South Korean group’s co-president.

Diageo has announced that its corporate relations director is to leave the company.

Diageo, the world’s largest premium drinks company has launched a pan-European online campaign ‘Think How You Drink’ to remind young people that drinking to excess can lead to shame and embarrassment.

SPI Group, owner of Stolichnaya russian vodka, has appointed Romain Ambrunn as Asia Pacific regional director.

London Wine Fair organisers Brintex has reported a “decidedly positive response” from existing exhibitors signing up for 2014.

Russian Standard vodka, Russia’s number one global vodka, has a new distribution partnership with Borco-Marken-Import (Borco) to manage the brand’s distribution and marketing in Germany and Austria.

Laurent Lacassagne has this week (W/C July 8) become chairman and CEO of Chivas Brothers, the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard.

Chapel Down, the English winemaker, has secured more than £4.3 million in new equity funding to expand the business and help grow its reputation both at home and overseas.

Diageo has announced that it has completed the acquisition of a further 14.98% stake in United Spirits Limited (USL), the leading spirits company in India.

Maxxium UK has added Snow Leopard vodka to its portfolio of brands.

Quintessential Brands unveiled Opihr Oriental Spiced Gin yesterday at UK on-trade show Imbibe Live.

Diageo has launched an IR (investor relations) and Media App for iPhones, iPads and Android platforms.

Marblehead, the privately-owned UK-based, brand development and distribution company, has announced a new partnership with Quintessential Brands, the independent spirits company.

Edrington has announced that group profit before tax is up 13% to £168.6 million and turnover is up 6% to £591.3m, for the year ended March 31.

The chairman and CEO of Campari America has been elected chairman of the trade body Distilled Spirits Council of the United States.

Portuguese wine company Companhia Das Quintas (CDQ) has appointed John Worontschak as group winemaker on a consultancy basis. He is to oversee production at the group’s six winemaking facilities.

Gruppo Campari has signed an agreement to acquire the business assets of Australian contract beverage packer Copack for AUD $20 million (€14.2 million).

The Intellectual Property Office in New Zealand has issued a Certificate of Trade Mark Registration providing consumer protection against wines illegitimately labelled as Napa Valley.

Beam has created a new management position for emerging markets.