Nick Hyde has taken over from James Simpson MW as chairman of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) board of trustees. Simon McMurtrie has also joined the board.

AS WE SEEK TO IMPROVE our research products, the Drinks International Brands Report has seen some fine-tuning but the objective – to provide a snapshot of the buying habits of elite bars around the world – remains the same.

Wine & Spirit Education Trust chief executive Ian Harris has been appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the New Year’s Honours List 2018.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association is calling on the UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer to freeze wine and spirit duty in tomorrow’s budget.

Vinexpo has announced the launch of a new event in Paris in 2020 and Vinisud has merged with Vinovision Paris

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association says it has joined up with trade bodies from across Europe to agree a ground breaking Brexit position paper.

The American Bar from London was named World’s Best Bar amid a dominant night for hotel bars at The World’s 50 Best Bars ceremony in London tonight.

The Benevolent, the drinks industry charity, has launched a confidential telephone helpline manned by professional counsellors.

The Benevolent, the charity for the UK drinks trade, has announced that a bike ride, in memory of Dan Townsend the Treasury Wine Estates’ European managing director who died in March while on business in Napa valley, raised more than £13,000.

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust claims that demand for wine and spirits education is higher than ever, as more businesses recognise the return on investment in educated staff.

Quintessential Brands has announced a €18.3m investment by Stock Spirits in its Dublin Liberties Distillery Company.

The International Spirits Challenge’s Supreme Champion Spirit for 2017 is Suntory’s Hibiki 21 Year Old.

LVMH Moët Hennessy has announced that it has bought the Woodinville Whiskey Company in Washington State. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association was invited to attend Defra’s Food and Drink discussions at a roundtable led by secretary of state, Michael Gove, last week.

San Francisco bar Trick Dog, a three-time member of The World’s 50 Best Bars, has launched its tenth menu today, a children’s book named: What Rhymes with Trick Dog?

Atsushi Suzuki from Shanghai has taken the title of Chivas Masters global champion in Tokyo with his winning cocktail The Double Talk.

The newly formed Vermouth di Torino Institute celebrated its UK debut last night with a tasting of 15 vermouths from the Piedmont region.

Gruppo Campari has announced that it has reached an agreement for the disposal of the French Château de Sancerre wine business to Maison Ackerman.

Miles Beale, CEO of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) and a former UK government advisor on agricultural policy, is to join the panel of experts debating the UK’s proposed exit from the European Union at Vinexpo Bordeaux on June 20.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association’s latest market report has revealed the average price of a bottle of wine has risen more in the last 12 weeks than it had in the last two years.

Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard, London has unveiled its new GŌNG Bar cocktail menu. Named the Director’s Cut, the menu is inspired by the greatest film directors of all time.

Glenmorangie has announced the launch of the oldest whisky it has produced to date.

Mast-Jägermeister has announced the appointment of Christopher Ratsch as the third member of its executive board.

Vinexpo has announced that it is to try again to mount a successful exhibition in the US.

The European Commission has published its long-awaited report on the exemption granted to alcohol products from certain mandatory labelling requirements.

Treasury Wine Estates has announced the death of its European managing director, Dan Townsend.

The Prosecco DOC plans to obtain certification that will guarantee the sustainability of individual wines.

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) says the Chancellor’s decision to increase excise duty on spirits by nearly 4% or 36 pence a bottle in today’s Budget is a major blow to a key UK industry. 

The Institute of Masters of Wine has announced four new masters of wine: Mark Andrew (UK), Jeremy Cukierman (France), Emma Dawson (UK) and David Forer (USA).

Forecasts for future growth in wine and spirits consumption to 2020 show the Americas and Asia Pacific are the countries to concentrate on, according to recent IWSR research.

Mast-Jägermeister has announced the launch of Manifest, its first super-premium line-extension.

Alexandre Ricard, Pernod Ricard’s chairman and CEO, was broadly happy with the company’s +4% sales and profits for the half year to February.

We’ve asked 100 of the best bars in the world - using the results of the survey of The World's 50 Best Bars - to rank their best-selling classic cocktails. Hamish Smith presents the countdown

What brands are favoured by the world’s best bars in classic cocktails? Hamish Smith shares our poll’s results

The rising popularity of bitter drinks have helped shake up this category, says Holly Motion

It takes a lot to make it on to a bars report list and even more to repeat the process. Hamish Smith salutes the brands with the staying power

The first annual Vinisud show in Montpellier has been hailed a success for attracting more than 20,000 buyers and almost 7,000 international visitors.

Diageo has announced the launch of International Scotch Day, Friday February 10.

There’s one brand that gets bar-called more than any other tonic, says Hamish Smith

This list is all about what the ’tenders love. Hamish Smith dissects their favourites

It’s always on tap, but consumers like to name-call water as much as any spirit, says Hamish Smith

Chilean Authorities have confirmed that fires in heavily forested regions of the south of the country have extended to vineyard sites.

Despite the craft movement it’s the big names that dominate. Hamish Smith explains why

The bubble’s burst for some brands, but the old favourites are still there. Holly Motion rounds up the cool kids

The global brands are also our polled bars favourites. Hamish Smith reports

The fortified wine is making a comeback in new creations, finds Hamish Smith

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) new honorary president is wine legend, Steven Spurrier.

The biggest names turn out not to be the biggest sellers here, says Hamish Smith

Hamish Smith finds brands’ compelling stories are what attract bartenders

Versatile tequila is piling on the plaudits from bartenders and gaining case sales at a rapid rate. Holly Motion reports