South African president Cyril Ramaphosa has reinstated the country’s ban on alcohol sales in a bid to free up beds for Covid-19 patients.

A former Diageo marketing executive has launched the world’s first dedicated talent agency for influential bartenders.

Port producer Graham’s has released a commemorative edition of its 2015 Late Bottled Vintage to mark its bicentenary.

The Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG produced and sold a record 92 million bottles in 2019 after enjoying a large harvest the previous year.

Peroni Nastro Azzurro has launched a global ad campaign that urges viewers to appreciate the small pleasures they were denied during the coronavirus lockdown.

Pernod Ricard has become the latest major company to halt advertising on Facebook and Twitter in a bid to stop the spread of hatred and misinformation.

The 50 Best Recovery auction will go live on Friday in a bid to raise funds for the hospitality industry during these difficult times.

Soho cocktail haunt Swift will open its second site later this month, Drinks International can exclusively reveal, just weeks after the country’s hospitality industry starts to emerge from lockdown.

Spanish producer Chivite has launched a barrel-fermented rosé made from Garnacha grapes sourced from the Legardeta estate in northern Navarra.

Chase Distillery has launched a range of gin seltzers in a bid to appeal to health-conscious millennial consumers.

Horse Heaven Hills could be the next region from Washington State to take the wine world by storm, according to an industry expert.

Gin brand Beefeater has launched a global advertising campaign designed to celebrate the spirit of London.

William Grant has appointed Giles Wilson as its new chief financial officer and he will begin work on September 1.

Premixed cocktail specialist World of Zing has launched 18 new bottled cocktails and pouches in time for the summer.

Borco has invested in a redesign for its Finsbury gin range and launched a Wild Strawberry variant to attract new consumers.

Naked Wines announced that chief financial officer James Crawford will take over as managing director of its UK business when it delivered its full-year results this morning. We caught up with him to learn more about his plans for the business, the opportunities ahead and the challenges that must be overcome. 

Naked Wines has reported 81% year-on-year revenue growth during April and May as online orders spiked during the coronavirus lockdown.

Diageo has announced a $100 million support package to help the global bar trade get back on its feet as the coronavirus lockdown ends.

Camden Town Brewery will give away 260,000 pints to UK trade customers in order to help them get back on their feet when pubs reopen.

Spanish wine producer Codorníu has announced that Sergio Fuster will take over as chief executive in September.

AB InBev has become the UK’s number one brewer by volume sales since the start of 2020.

American whiskey exports to EU have decreased by a third since the bloc imposed a 25% retaliatory tariff in June 2018.

Maison Villevert has acquired craft French distillery Celtic Whisky Compagnie for an undisclosed sum.

BrewDog Distilling Co. has launched a limited-edition Distiller’s Cut spiced rum under its Five Hundred Cuts range.

Chivas Brothers has donated its digital advertising slot at Old Trafford to a motor neurone disease charity for the upcoming clash between Man Utd and Sheff Utd.

Sherry producer Williams & Humbert has launched a 12 Year Old Palo Cortado under its Don Zoilo range.

Dutch producer Gin 1689 has appointed specialist firm GinBuilders to distribute the brand in Latin America and the Caribbean.

A Fever-Tree survey suggests that a third of Brits use an evening drink to mark the end of the working day during the lockdown.

A leading English sparkling wine producer has predicted that the county’s production levels will double in the next decade.

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust has announced plans to branch out into offering dedicated beer qualifications for the first time.

Public Health Scotland has revealed that alcohol sales fell to a record low for the second year running in 2019.

Bar Convent Brooklyn has been called off after the organisers decided it would be too risky to host a trade show during this age of contagion.

Off-Piste Wines has launched a gin aimed at mountain lovers, fresh-air adventurers and fireside dreamers.

Amber Beverage Group has tipped Australia and China to lead the way as the global drinks industry emerges from the coronavirus crisis.

Licor 43 has announced plans to host its fourth annual Bartenders & Baristas Challenge online due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Wines of South Africa has moved trade show Cape Wine from September 2021 to October 2022 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

British beer sales have plummeted to a 20-year low after pubs and bars across the country were closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A craft spirits startup in Minnesota has secured the services of Irish Distillers’ master distiller Brian Nation.

Martin Miller’s has launched a seasonal gin called Summerful to celebrate the brand’s 20^th anniversary.

Champagne Gosset has launched a non-vintage cuvee that has benefited from more than 12 years of ageing on the lees.

Jägermeister has launched a limited-edition #SaveTheNight bottle designed to support the bar trade in various key markets around the world.

Rémy Cointreau has partnered with Flow Hospitality Training to launch a range of free online courses for bartenders.

Wholesaler Speciality Drinks has teamed up with Edrington Beam Suntory to supply another batch of wellbeing packs to British bar staff.

Kevin O’Gorman will take over as master distiller at Jameson producer Irish Distillers after Brian Nation decided to move to a startup in the US.

The Delhi government has decided to withdraw the 70% “special corona fee” that it imposed upon alcoholic beverage sales from May 5.

China’s alcoholic drinks production sector decreased by 8.6% to 249.7 billion yuan ($35.2 billion) in the first four months of 2020, according to new government figures.

Zamora Company USA has bolstered its spirits portfolio with the addition of Filipino rum brand Don Papa.

Norway’s wine and liquor monopoly retailer has reported 28% volume sales growth during the first five months of 2020.

Campari Group has tied up a €23.4 million deal to purchase a 49% stake in Italy’s leading online wine and spirits retailer.

Cask Liquid Marketing has expanded its marketing and distribution portfolio with  the sales of El Dorado rum in the UK on and off trade.