International spirits company, Quintessential Brands Group, has announced the reorganisation of its North American operations, forming a stand-alone business entity to serve the North American market called Quintessential Brands North America.

Messe Düsseldorf, organisers of ProWein and ProWine China/Asia, have announced a new global head wine and spirits of ProWein.

Pernod Ricard UK has promoted James Bremner to the position of on-trade channel director, reporting to Chris Ellis, Pernod Ricard UK commercial director.

Latest research by the IWSR shows that 45% of millennials in the US who consume alcohol, also consume cannabis.

The Milk & Honey Distillery has named Maverick Drinks as the sole UK distributor for its collection of whiskies, gins and herbal liqueurs.

The Zamora Company has opened a new commercial office in Mexico as well as a new company in France following a 37% increase in turnover over the past six years.

Following the recent announcement that Bacardi has been stockpiling goods, one logistics expert suggested all drinks brands should review its supply chains.

Pernod Ricard is monitoring the legalisation of cannabis in the US and Canada with the potential of adding a cannabis-based product to its portfolio in the future.

Fentimans expands to Middle East with the launch of five flavours as it targets 100 countries by 2020.

The IWSR has released its “Global Opportunities in Low- and No-Alcohol” report, which examines market sizing, key players, on-trade analysis, product innovation, and consumer trends.

Pernod Ricard has announced ‘very good’ financial results for the first half of FY19 with organic sales up 7.8%.

UK multiple retailers Morrisons, The Co-op, Waitrose, Tesco and specialist retailer Hedonism, were among the big winners at the 2019 Drinks Retailing Awards, held by Drinks Retailing News at The Dorchester hotel on Wednesday evening (February 5).

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has warned British consumers to expect a rise in wine prices as businesses were hit with a duty rise on Friday 1 February.

Diageo’s president global supply and procurement is comfortable the company’s stock levels and supply chain, ahead of the UK leaving the European Union.

The Stock Spirits Group has announced the purchase of Distillerie Franciacorta Spa, one of the leading Italian producers of grappa, liqueurs and Franciacorta.

Diageo, the world’s largest premium drinks company, has reported net sales of 5.8% and an operating profit of £2.4bn, up 11.0%, driven by organic growth.

As part of its global expansion, Amber Beverage Group has appointed Charles Henagan as managing director Americas.

The London Wine Fair has announced a remodelling of the visitor registration system, which means trade visitors not exhibiting and who are considered competition to those companies who do, will be charged to enter.

The 2019 TFWA China’s Century Conference has announced that China Duty Free Group (CDFG), Central Japan International Airport (Nagoya), Alibaba, Ctrip.com and Lagardère Travel Retail will be represented on stage at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Sanya, Haitang Bay from 5-7 March.

Spirits, cider, low alcohol and alcohol-free beer are some of the key areas of growth across the Welsh drinks sector, according to the Food and Drink Wales Industry Board (FDWIB).

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) is celebrating its 50th anniversary providing wine and spirits education to the industry.

Premium spirits and liqueurs owner and producer Stock Spirits Group has recorded an +8.7% revenue increase for the year ending September 2018.

Leaders of the Chinese baijiu market: Moutai, Wuliangye, and Yanghe are the world’s most valuable spirits brands, according to the latest report by Brand Finance, an independent brand valuation and strategy consultancy.

Edrington has sold the Cutty Sark blended scotch whisky brand to French company, La Martiniquaise-Bardinet. 

Henkell & Co. Sektkellerei and Freixenet SA has unveiled a new name and a logo for the holding company, the former Henkell & Co. Group.

The CEO of Disaronno parent company Illva Saronno, Augusto Reina, has said they plan to reach 1m cases of Indian whiskey in the near future.

Amber Beverage Group (ABG) has confirmed it will complete the acquisition of Permalko, one of the oldest producers of spirits in Russia.

Diageo has agreed the sale of 19 brands to Sazerac for an aggregate consideration of $550m, due for completion in early 2019.

Brewdog has appointed David Gates as managing director of Brewdog distilling after nearly 30 years working with Diageo.

Scotland’s leading exporter of craft beer and spirits JW Filshill International, has embarked on a two-week trade visit to China as it seeks to build on a series of export deals.

MHW the leading service provider for wine, beer, cider and spirits in the US, has expanded to Europe starting with Templeton Rye.

Former head of Reserve Brands at Diageo, Nick Temperley, has joined Edrington-Beam Suntory UK as general manager for London.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has warned consumers to expect an increase in wine prices as businesses take an inflationary hit following the Budget announcement.

Drinks brand owner and distributor Proof Drinks has appointment Jeremy Hill (pictured, centre) as managing director.

The director general of trade body Spiritseurope has called for an urgent resolution to the outstanding issues in the Brexit negotiations before the European Council Summit this week.

Hannah Sharman-Cox, MD of Drinkup.London joined Drinks International to discuss the success of the ninth edition of London Cocktail Week.

Solera Beverage Group has launched Collection Spirits, a marketing and distribution company specialising in craft and luxury spirits in the Nordics.

Former Tanqueray global brand ambassador Stephanie Jordan has launched a specialist drinks marketing agency to help support emerging craft wine and spirit brands.

Global spirits producer William Grant & Sons has reported profit growth of 12.6% to £250.2m after tax for the year ended 31 December 2017.

AS Liviko has entered into an export contract with Spanish distributor and wine manufacturer Sogas Mascaró resulting in Crafter’s London Dry gin, Crafter’s Aromatic Flower gin and Vana Tallinn liqueurs being exported to Spain.

Cellar Trends has announced the retirement of joint managing director David Marriott and director of sales Terry Barker (pictured).

WSET School London has appointed Richard Harding as the new school principal, responsible for maintaining teaching standards, managing WSET educators and planning the annual schedule of courses.

Diageo Reserve has appointed Irish chef Mark Moriarty as global gastronomer, its new food advocacy role within the business.

Whyte & Mackay (Glasgow, Scotland) and Proximo Spirits (London, England) have announced a partnership to accelerate distribution of their combined portfolios in the UK on trade.

Bar Convent Berlin director Petra Lassahn insists that the schedule clash with Diageo World Class is “an enrichment” to the trade show.

Winner of the 2017 UK Chivas Masters cocktail competition, Rhys Wilson, has joined Chivas as global brand ambassador. 

Fields, Morris & Verdin (FMV) has added champagne agency Leclerc Briant to its portfolio, a brand which has been biodynamically certified since the 1980s.

Pernod Ricard CEO Alexandre Ricard said the company will wait to see how cannabis legalisation effects the sales of premium spirits before investing in the emerging industry.

Pernod Ricard sales for FY18 totalled €8,987m, down -0.3% on FY17 while organic sales growth accelerated to +6.0% from +3.6% last year.

Chase Distillery has formed a partnership with Jebsen Fine Wines in Hong Kong to manage the distribution of its portfolio of vodka and gin.