A deal has been struck between the UK and US to end retaliatory tariffs on malt whiskies for five years.

Diageo has become the first ever official spirits sponsor of the NFL.

Lager brand Stella Artois is auctioning off NFTs of virtual racehorses on the Ethereum blockchain.

Leading Caribbean and Central American drinks distributor WEBB Banks has created a subsidiary that will focus on supplying CBD and wellness products to the trade.

Naked Wines stock decreased by 3% this morning after the online retailer posted an annual pre-tax loss of £10.7 million.

Guinness has unveiled a new technology called “MicroDraught” that allows bars and restaurants to sell the popular stout without having to order whole kegs.

The International Spirits Challenge 2021 has awarded 11 double gold medals to the finest Scotch whiskies in the world.

Singer and songwriter Ellie Goulding has acquired a ‘significant stake’ in premium hard seltzer brand Served.

Coa founder Jay Khan has revealed further details about his new bar which is set to open in mid-July in Shanghai.

For the first time, London Cocktail Week has announced a one-off Warm-Up festival, taking place 05-11 July 2021.

Hollywood star Pedro Pascal has signed up as the new global ambassador for Chilean wine brand Casillero del Diablo.

Heineken is in talks with South African wine and spirits producer Distell about acquiring “the majority” of its business.

The European Union has announced that it will temporarily suspend its tariff increase on American whiskey in an effort to reboot transatlantic relations.

Diageo stock increased by 4% this morning after it announced an improved profit growth forecast for the 2021 fiscal year.

Spirits giants Edrington and Beam Suntory have agreed to an equity swap of stakes in their jointly-owned distribution companies in Spain and the UK.

Stock Spirits Group increased volume sales by 2% to 8.3 million 9-litre cases in the six months to March 31.

Coa of Hong Kong has been crowned Asia’s Best Bar in 2021 following a virtual awards ceremony of Asia’s 50 Best Bars on Thursday, 6 May.

AB InBev has announced that North America president Michel Doukeris will succeed veteran leader Carlos Brito as chief executive this summer.

Andrew Shaw has been appointed as head of beers, wines and spirits at high-end British retailer Marks & Spencer.

Organic net sales at Campari Group increased by 17.9% to reach €397.9 million in the first three months of 2021.

Three organic wine producers in Bordeaux have joined forces in a bid to promote a sustainable future for the region.

Leading Chilean wine producer Concha y Toro has reported an 8.2% revenue increase in the first three months of 2021.

Pernod Ricard has claimed two double gold medals in the gin category at the International Spirits Challenge 2021.

Henkell Freixenet has reported that net sales decreased by 7.4% year-on-year in 2020 after the Covid-19 pandemic caused bars and restaurants to close for several months.

Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits has reported a net loss of €38.4 million for 2020.

English winery Exton Park has unveiled a trio of sparkling wines following a 10-year development process.

Melissa Draycott will take over from Martin Skelton as managing director of Gonzalez Byass UK in September.

Oscar Oliveras has won the prestigious Errazuriz Wine Photographer of the Year award for this image of Semillon grapes being gathered in Saussignac, France.

Tomas Estes, one of the drinks industry's most loved and respected figures, has passed away peacefully at his home in Oregan.

Carlsberg has reported organic volume sales growth of 11.5% for the first three months of 2021.

Fentimans is to replace 125ml mixer bottles with a new range of 200ml mixers, as the premium mixer brand aims to “tap into the growing popularity for long mixed drinks”.

Hong Kong’s Penicillin has been named the 2021 winner of the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award by Asia’s 50 Best Bars.

Beefeater has launched three new RTD Gin & Tonic varieties into the UK off-trade in time for the easing of lockdown restrictions.

Global Bartending Talent Agency is launching an online marketplace that connects cocktail lovers with some of the world’s best bars.

Wine lovers will have the opportunity to get their hands on some rare gems at the Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction on May 22.

We caught up with Katie Souter of Vin-X to learn more about why fine wine could make an appealing investment opportunity during the current economic climate.

The world’s leading vodka, tequila and mezcal producers are celebrating after securing medals at the International Spirits Challenge 2021.

MO BAR at Mandarin Oriental, Singapore has been awarded the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award from the Asia’s 50 Best Bars Academy.

Imbibe Live 2021 will go ahead from 13-14 September at Olympia London, organiser Reed Exhibitions has announced.

Freixenet Copestick has expanded its portfolio by signing an exclusive distribution partnership with Chilean producer The Garage Wine Co.

It’s December 2020 and I’m holding in my hands a Rioja whose vintage bears the same year. And it’s one of the brightest, freshest, easiest to drink wines I’ve had since moving to the area.

Leading Chilean wine producer Concha y Toro increased net profit by 48.6% to Ch$77,994 million (US$107.4 million) in 2020.

Glenfiddich has bolstered its Grand Series range with the launch of a 26 Year Old Speyside malt called Grande Couronne.

Scotch brand Monkey Shoulder has teamed up with Fever-Tree in a bid to create the ultimate mixing pack for the off-trade channel.

An ambitious start-up aims to turn hard seltzers into a hot summer drinks trend within the UK market.

Leading Chilean wine brand Casillero del Diablo is expanding into Spain by launching a Tempranillo from Cariñena.

Digital Edition

Drinks International digital edition is available ahead of the printed magazine. Don’t miss out, make sure you subscribe today to access the digital edition and all archived editions of Drinks International as part of your subscription.

Comment

La'Mel Clarke

Service isn’t servitude: the skill of hosting

La’Mel Clarke, front of house at London’s Seed Library, looks at the forgotten art of hosting and why it deserves the same respect as bartending.

Instagram

Facebook