LIWF move to Monday for 2013
London International Wine Trade Fair organiser, Brintex, has announced that the 2013 show will now start on the Monday, May 20 instead of the usual Tuesday. The three-day show will therefore finish on the Wednesday, May 22.
Africa: SAB Miller opens $100m brewery
SAB Miller has opened its fourth brewery in Nigeria.
Beam sends Irish graduates to US
Beam has hired five Irish graduates to promote its Irish whiskey brands in the US.
Facebook ruling "strange" says Diageo
The Australian Advertising Standards Bureau’s ruling that brands’ Facebook pages should be treated as advertising has been branded as “strange” by Diageo’s CEO.
Diageo targets women, middle classes and over 50s
Diageo is looking to “get stronger” as a business by targeting women, the over 50s, emerging middle classes, and multicultural groups.
Diageo poised for baijiu opportunities
CEO of Diageo, Paul Walsh, has outlined the potential of the global baiijiu market and has stated that the company is ready for further acquisition in the category.
Distell reports 15% revenue growth and 9% sales increase
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.
Russia's WTO accession welcomed by SWA
Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organisation (WT0), after 18 years of negotiation, has been welcomed by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).
Diageo announces net sales growth of 6%
Diageo has announced a 6% net sales growth and 9% increase in operating profit for the year ended June 30, 2012.
ProWein heads to China
ProWein is heading to a trade show in China. The German show is to take a Tasting Zone – called ProWine - at Wine & Spirits China 2012, which takes place in Shanghai from November 14-16.
Tiki Estate Pinot Gris 2011 launches
New Zealand winemankers Tiki Wines has released a 2011 Pinot Gris to the UK, Finland, Iceland, Channel Islands, Ireland and the domestic market.
Heineken agrees final offer for Tiger brewer
Heineken has agreed a final offer for Fraser & Neave's shares in Tiger brewer Asia Pacific (APB).
Bacardi names new Asia Pacific regional president
Bacardi Limited, the largest privately-held spirits company in the world, has announced the appointment of Siddik Tetík as regional president of Asia Pacific.
Patrick Ricard dies aged 67
Patrick Ricard the titular head of the Pernod Ricard family, has died. He was 67. Cause of death has not been disclosed but it is believed to be a heart attack.
Carlsberg: Russia and Asia offset faltering Europe
Carlsberg has announced that sales advances in Russia and Asia offset difficulties in Europe during H1 of 2012.
Heineken reels in Strongbow for US expansion
Heineken has announced it will take the US distribution of its global-leading cider brand, Strongbow, in-house from next year.
Barack Obama has White House brewery
The Obama administration has confirmed that there is a microbrewery at the White House which produces a beer called White House Honey Ale.
Whisky Exchange to put on October tasting show
The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show will take place at Vinopolis in London in October.
Craft bucks US beer trend with 12% H1 growth
US craft beer grew by double digits during H1 of 2012 despite the malaise of the US beer market, says the Brewers Association.
BNIC to auction 26 rare cognacs
Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC) is to auction 26 rare cognacs at the upcoming charity auction, La Part des Anges.
UK wine consumers drinking less, spending more
Consumers in the UK are drinking less wine and continuing to shun the on-trade, according to research published by Wine Intelligence.
The Macallan gets new marketing manager
Edrington has appointed a global marketing manager for The Macallan single malt whisky.
Bacardi closes in on next Martini Star
Twenty-eight women have been chosen for the next phase of Bacardi’s global search to find the next Martini Star, the face of the Italian vermouth brand.
Marblehead adds bison grass vodka to UK offering
Distributor Marblehead Brand Development is looking to satisfy demand for craft spirits in the UK with the launch of the Polish bison grass vodka, Davna Bizon.
Adnams responds to lower abv demand
Suffolk brewer Adnams has launched two lower-alcohol bottled beers to target daytime drinkers this summer.
New management structure at Accolade
Accolade Wines, which is the fifth largest global wine company, is to split the existing role of European commercial general manager into two, covering mainland Europe and UK & Ireland, to focus better on these two strategically crucial markets.
Diageo Wines Europe appoints MD
Sarah Miles (pictured) has been appointed managing director of Diageo Wines Europe (DWE), which includes Justerini & Brooks and Percy Fox & Co.
Heineken moves a step closer to Tiger brewer acquisition
Heineken has reached an agreement with the board of Fraser and Neave to acquire F&N's interests in Tiger brewer Asia Pacific Breweries for $50 a share.
Campari H1 boosted by N America and Asia
Gruppo Campari has announced sales growth of 5% for H1 of 2012, with strong performances in North America and Asia Pacific offsetting difficulties in Germany, Italy and South America.
Beam reports H1 sales growth of 8%
Beam has reported half-year net sales increases of 8% on a comparable basis, thanks in part to the succes of product innovation.
Beam appoints new board member
US: Beam has elected Gretchen W. Price to its board of directors.
Heineken USA appoints marketing VP
Heineken USA has announced the appointment of Colin Westcott-Pitt as vice president of marketing, effective immediately.
UK consumers open to untraditional wine packaging
UK consumers' openness to new forms of wine packaging could mean the traditional glass bottle’s stranglehold on the market is relaxed, says Wine Intelligence.
UK: Fewer young people drink alcohol
An NHS report into smoking and drinking among young people has revealed that the number or 11-15 year olds that have tried alcohol has reduced from 61% in 2001 to 45% in 2011.
Treasury and Accolade pack for each other
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.
Wemyss Malts releases Darnley’s View Spiced Gin
Wemyss Malts has released Darnley’s View Spiced Gin to Europe and selected Asian markets, with the US to follow.
Rémy confirms Bruichladdich deal for £58m
Rémy Cointreau is to purchase Islay distillery Bruichladdich for £58m.
Chapel Down makes gold medal-winning beer
The International Beer Challenge has named a lager made by an English winemaker among the world’s best beers.
Heineken makes move on Tiger brewer
Heineken has made a move to purchase Tiger Beer brewer Asia Pacific Breweries.
UK: Courvoisier crowns 8 Bar champions
Courvoisier has crowned bartenders from 8 Bar in Falmouth winners of its Courvoisier Cocktails on a Grand Scale competition.
New York: Rendez-Vous by Vinexpo 2012 cancelled
The New York Vinexpo show will not take place this year, due to lack of exhibitors.
Trade challenges Scottish minimum pricing
UK and European drinks trade organisations have announced they are challenging the Scottish government’s minimum unit pricing (MUP) legislation.
Constellation acquires Mark West for $160m
Constellation Brands has completed the acquisition of the Mark West wine brand from Purple Wine Company for approximately US$160 million.
Michael Cox is new Vintners' master
Michael Cox has been installed as the 518th Master of the Worshipful Company of Vintners for the forthcoming year.
Wine economist to speak at Nederburg Auction
The organiser of South Africa’s famous Nederburg Auction, has announced that US economics professor and ‘wine economist’, Mike Veseth, will make a keynote speech on Saturday September 29 at Nederburg in Paarl.
Bacardi appoints new members to its board
Facundo L. Bacardi, chairman of the board of directors at Bacardi Limited has announced the appointment of two directors to the 16-member board.
Cox has left New Zealand Winegrowers
David Cox, director – Europe for New Zealand Winegrowers has left the organisation to pursue other interests and projects.
First Drinks: Premium brands to drive UK growth
First Drinks has outlined the continued importance of premium drinks brands in driving growth in the UK market.
Pernod offloads €103m of brands
Pernod Ricard has signed an agreement with Arcus-Gruppen for the sale of the Danish aquavit brands Aalborg and Brøndums, the German brand Malteserkreuz Aquavit and the Danish bitter brand Gammel Dansk.
Bacardi poaches Diageo high flyer
Bacardi has announced the appointment of Ron Anderson as senior vice president and chief commercial officer.