Wine producers looking to export to China for the first time need to get to grips with demands for high-quality packaging and culturally-sensitive labels, according to Wine Intelligence.

Foster’s Group has appointed Dean Matthews to the role of chief information officer (CIO), effective May 23.

Entrants aiming to crack the US market need to take a bold approach, according to a wine importer.

Gin and vodka distiller G&J Greenall has opened premises in London.

Berry Bros & Rudd Spirits has appointed Maxxium UK to distribute No. 3 London Dry Gin from June 1, 2011. Since its launch in 2010, the brand has been distributed by Inspirit Brands.

New World brands continue to dominate the global wine sector and now constitute 13 of the top 15 wine brands, according to a recent study.

Chivas Brothers, the premium gin and scotch whisky arm of Pernod Ricard, has launched a gin website, www.ginandtales.com.

Moet & Chandon has launched a champagne designed to be served over ice.

Lanson International has launched a website to educate trade and consumers about champagne, called L‟Académie de Lanson.

The International Wine and Spirits Institute (IWSI), based in Bordeaux, is to open an eight-week spirits training programme in London next year.

The Glenmorangie Company has announced the release of Pride 1981, a 28-year old single malt whisky that has been finished in Sauternes casks for ten years.

Patrón Spirits has appointed Phil Gervasi, a former VP at Diageo, as executive vice president of sales for North America.

Irish Distillers, the Irish whiskey arm of Pernod Ricard, unveiled two new single pot still Irish whiskeys today (May 5).

Pernod Ricard’s board of directors have co-opted Laurent Burelle to replace Lord Douro, who has resigned from his duties for personal reasons.

SABMiller has announced the appointment of James (Jamie) Wilson as deputy chief financial officer.

Chivas Brothers has introduced new packaging across its “core range" of The Glenlivet.

Online whisky retailer Master of Malt has launched a 40-year old whisky liqueur.

Gerard Chaussee, director of French liqueurs specialist Vedrenne, has said that he hopes to present a new organic creme de cassis at next year's International Spirits Challenge.

The absinthe ban in France has been lifted, according to absinthe brand La Fée.

SPI Group has acquired shares in Argentinean winery Achaval-Ferrer, as part of its strategy of investing in “jewels of the wine world”.

Pernod Ricard US has announced that Malibu has added Cranberry-Cherry to its range of rum liqueurs, following a vote by consumers.

Two of London’s bartenders drew swords in San Francisco in the final of the No. 209 Gin Duel.

Jim Beam has launched its Red Stag bourbon-based drink in the UK market and in travel retail outlets across Europe.

SABMiller has launched a new Peroni Nastro Azzurro global ad campaign that celebrates the Italian summer.

Brazilians are increasingly turning to wine as their beverage of choice, according to consumer research published by Wine Intelligence.

Christie’s has conducted a 36-hour wine auction in Hong Kong and New York, with sales totalling US$11.2m.

Champagne cooperative Centre Vinicole – Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte has appointed Julie Campos as commercial director.

Glazer’s, the Dallas-based wine, spirits and malt beverage distributors, has appointed Jim Oliver as senior vice president of fine wine.

Glazer’s, the Dallas-based wine, spirits and malt beverage distributors, has appointed Jim Oliver as senior vice president of fine wine.

SABMiller subsidiary company Southern Sudan Beverages (SSBL) is to invest US$15m to increase production capacity.

10% of cancer in males and 3% in women is attributable to alcohol, according to Europe-wide research by the British Medical Journal.

Producers throughout the Cognac region have major concerns that early budbreak, caused by an unprecedented warm spell in early April, could result in severe crop damage if night-time temperatures fall to freezing in the next few weeks.

Heinemann Asia Pacific, a subsidiary of Germany-based duty free retailer and distributor Gebr Heinemann, has appointed Paul Topping to the role of director.

Indian distributor Radico Khaitan is to launch Japanese whiskies the Yamazaki 12 year old and Hibiki 17 year old in India.

Stock Spirits Group has appointed Waldemar Maj and Dominique Bach as non-executive directors.

Finlandia vodka, part of Bacardi Brown-Forman Brands, has unveiled a new global packaging design dubbed ‘melting ice’.

Prosecco winery Follador has appointed World of Patria as its travel retail and duty free distribution partner.

Pernod Ricard has announced the sale of its minority shareholding in Suntory Holdings, which stands at around 1%.

Ian Macleod Distillers has appointed Danielle Murphy as business development manager at its Scotland-based sales team.

Stock Spirits recorded double-digit organic revenue growth and profit growth in 2010.

Prowein organiser Messe Düsseldorf has announced record attendance figures for the show held this week, 27-29 March 2011.

South African winery Linton Park has announced the launch of The Rhino of Linton Park range.

Russian Distiller has launched two new ‘bread wines’, Rye Polugar and Rye Malt Polugar.

Swedish vodka brand DQ has re-launched to the UK, following the restructuring of parent company Nordic Spirit.

Pernod Ricard  is to donate ¥ 60 million (€ 525,000) to support the Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami relief effort.

Diageo’s Johnnie Walker is the number one spirits brand by value according to Impact Databank’s Top 100 Premium Spirits list.

Brown-Forman has announced that its board of directors has authorised the repurchase of up to $250 million of its outstanding Class A and Class B common shares until November 30, 2011, subject to market and other conditions.

Jack Daniels has launched a honey whiskey – the brand’s first launch in nearly a generation.

Canada: Brick Brewing Company has acquired the Canadian rights to the Seagram Coolers brand from Corby Distilleries. The transaction closed upon signing.

Europe: Pernod Ricard has resumed the supply of Malibu after stopping it due to a ‘fluctuation in the coconut flavour’.