The Wine and Spirit Trade Association met with international partners in Canada, last week, as part of the FIVS Ottawa meetings for talks on developing post-Brexit trade agreements.

Heineken Brew Lock was named supreme champion at Drinks International’s tenth annual Travel Retail Challenge last night. 

Villa Massa, the 'first premium Limoncello brand to commercialise globally', is aiming to increase its market share by 50% by 2020.

Stellenbosch has the potential to become as significant as the Napa Valley, according to Visit Napa Valley president and CEO.    

Ahead of The World’s 50 Best Bars ceremony, Drinks International has released the list of bars that finished in places 51-100 in the 2016 poll.

Eisberg, the UK’s leading alcohol-free wine brand, has agreed a three-year partnership to become the ‘Official Wine Partner’ for the Tour of Britain cycle race.

The British Distillers’ Alliance has replied to HMRC’s consultation on revised and consolidated guidance for the licensing and approval of distillers, rectifiers and compounders on the deadline of August 5 .

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has announce that former minister for trade and minister for Europe, Lord Francis Maude, will be the keynote speaker at its annual conference.

The Bar Convent Berlin organisers have announced that there will be an additional hall this year.

Cocktails in the City will return with a summer edition later this month. 

The Balvenie’s malt master, David Stewart, has been awarded an MBE for services to the Scotch whisky industry at a ceremony in The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Beefeater’s Desmond Payne received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 21st annual International Spirits Challenge last night. 

An akvavit has been named the International Spirits Challenge Supreme Champion 2016. 

Sherry is changing with a new, evolving consumer base, according to sherry's Consejo Regulador.

Jura has revealed its Tastival 2016 bottling, a limited edition expression to mark the distillery’s annual island whisky festival.  

Soju brand Jinro has been named the top-selling spirit in the world in the Millionaires’ Club 2016, after selling 73.8m 9-litre last year.

Conviviality, the UK’s leading independent alcohol wholesaler, has reported group sales increased by 137% to approximately £864m in a ‘transformational year’.

London Wine Fair feedback has been 'overwhelmingly positive' despite a fall in visitor numbers, according to show organisers. 

The UK chief medical officer’s responsible drinking guidelines are entirely out of kilter with the rest of the world and out of touch with reality, according to WSTA’s Miles Beale. 

Leaving the EU would lead to a more uncertain trading environment, loss of access to the single market and the absence of a UK voice at the table to shape EU regulation by which the industry would still be bound, according to the WSTA chief executive. 

Sandeman unveiled a preview of its repackaged aged tawny range at London Wine Fair this week. 

Marie Brizard Wine and Spirits has announced that its 2015 annual results are “sharply up and in line” with 2018 ambitions. 

28 Hongkong Street of Singapore has taken first place in Drinks International’s Asia’s 50 Best Bars awards, the first regional spin-off of The World’s 50 Best Bars.

Bacardi Brown-Forman has announced that it will take over the UK distribution of Old Forester Kentucky Bourbon from Mangrove.

Diageo is introducing a new beer created for the ‘next generation’ of Guinness drinkers, Africa Special.

The World’s Best Bar 2015 Artesian has parted company with head bartender Pip Hanson.

Drinks International launches its annual ProWein Preview, a 12-page guide to the Düsseldorf show, which runs from 13-15 March. 

The bar industry’s leading lights have paid tribute to Dick Bradsell after the cocktail legend passed away at the weekend.

This month sees the launch of the Drinks International Challenge Series, a vibrant mix of seven competitions that celebrate innovation and excellence in the global drinks industry.

Drinks International will publish its first regional spin-off of the World’s 50 Best Bars, with the launch of Asia’s 50 Best Bars.

Diageo will invest £10m in Danish whisky brand Stauning through its Distill Ventures programme. 

William Grant & Sons has announced plans to increase the capacity of its Glenfiddich distillery in Speyside, Scotland.

Beam Suntory has announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Jerez-based brandy and sherry business to Emperador inc.  

Some young people are drinking to help them cope with problems, according to latest Drinkaware research. 

Distell Group looks set to boost its US profile after signing a major deal with Terlato Wine Group. 

Cognac Renault has launched Carte Noire Extra Old Limited Edition to mark its 180^th anniversary this year.

The Glenrothes unveiled the fourth release in its Extraordinary Cask Series, Glenrothes 1969 Extraordinary Cask #11483, at the inaugural Vintage Vinyl Sessions last night.

The Loire-based Bouvet Ladubay has announced that the Monmousseau family has re-acquired ownership of the company from United Spirits.

Smaller Irish whiskey brands may face demise due to a lack of supply of mature whiskey, according to a recent report. 

London Beer Week will return for a second year, following a successful debut this year. 

United Spirits has appointed Sanjeev Churiwala as its chief financial officer. 

Number One Drinks Company Japan has unveiled plans to build "Japan's first" artisan gin distillery.

Diageo has outlined its Scotch category growth strategy at its investor conference in New York.

Brewer SABMiller has reported good underlying sales for the second quarter, a day after AB InBev agreed a £17bn merger. 

Port house Sandeman has announced the release of a six-bottle collection to celebrate its 225-year history.

Gruppo Campari has reported positive growth of 7.9% as group sales totalled €1,144.7 million in the first nine months of 2015. 

Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits has recorded a third quarter of contrasts, with improvements in France but penalisation in the US and Poland. 

Anheuser-Busch InBev has agreed the terms of its £71bn takeover of SABMiller.

Beam Suntory has added Peppermint Bark and Pumpkin Pie to its Pinnacle vodka flavour range for the festive period. 

Beam Suntory sales increased 36% in the first nine months of the year, benefitting from “strong performance” in North America and Japan.