Chivas Brothers has claimed a trademark victory for Scotch whisky brand Chivas Regal in China. The name Chivas (both in English and Chinese characters) and Chivas Regal (in English) have now been recognised by the Chinese Trade Marks Office (CTMO) as trademarks in China.  Christian Porta, chairman and ...

Belvedere vodka has launched an online members’ club. ‘Luxury Reborn’ allows bars that list Belvedere to communicate directly with consumers. The club is supported by an online magazine and blog www.belvedere-vodka.co.uk. Luxury Reborn will offer member benefits including previews of film premieres, ...

Symington Family Estates has acquired Douro vineyard Quinta de Roriz. Quinta de Roriz has been producing Ports and wines for over two centuries. Paul Symington said: “We plan to continue the tradition of bottling top quality single estate DOC wines under the Quinta de Roriz and Prazo de Roriz labels ...

Diageo is to distribute and market the Grand Marnier liqueurs range in 61 markets across Western and Eastern Europe, Russia and former CIS countries, as well as duty-free. From July 1 Diageo will start distribution in 26 markets, including Germany and Spain. France and a further four markets will transfer ...

Canada: Corby Distilleries appoints new CFO as the former leaves to head up Pernod Korea. The Canadian representation of Pernod Ricard’s portfolio has announced that chief financial officer and chief operating officer John Nicodemo will leave Corby on June 30, 2009, to assume the role of chief operating ...

Inver House Distillers has opened a new bottling plant at the company’s headquarters in Airdrie. The subsidiary of International Beverage Holdings has invested £1 million in the bottling hall and it will create 10 full time jobs. It was set up with a Regional Selective Assistance grant from the Scottish ...

Anheuser-Busch InBev has completed the sale of its remaining minority stake in Tsingtao Brewery Co to Mr. Chen Fashu.  Chen has acquired Anheuser-Busch InBev’s remaining 7% stake in Tsingtao Brewery for 235 million USD. Chen is a Chinese national and a private investor. Under the terms of the agreement ...

A London bartender has beaten 150 cocktail professionals from 13 countries to take top prize in the Calvados Nouvelle Vogue International Trophy. Stefano Cossio from the Dorchester Hotel in London won with his creation ‘Pomme Allure’. His recipe for an after dinner cocktail ‘echoes the aromas of the ...

US: San Francisco-based Lotus Vodka has secured investment to roll out vodkas that contain taurine, caffeine and guarana extract. The company secured strategic investment from Mercurio Capital Partners. Lotus Vodka will use the new investment from Mercurio to accelerate its expansion across the United ...

The generic body for the South African wine industry, Wines of South Africa (WOSA), has announced that there will not be a Cape Wine 2010 because of next year’s football World Cup which is being held there. WOSA chief executive, Su Birch, said: “There has been enormous interest from the European media ...

Chivas Brothers has relaunched its website www.chivas.com In line with Chivas Regal’s brand message Live with Chivalry, the new website offers a call to arms to Chivas consumers to join a worldwide movement behind chivalry.  Simon Burley, international marketing manager for Chivas Regal, said: “We ...

Vinos de Madrid, will hold its first ever trade tasting in London on Wednesday July 1. Spanish appellation, CRDO [Consejo Regulador Denominacion de Origen] Vinos de Madrid, will hold its first ever trade tasting in London on Wednesday July 1. The 'Magic of Madrid' tasting aims to showcase the region’s ...

The Scotch whisky industry has unveiled new plans to reduce its environmental impact. Scotch whisky companies have pledged to cut their use of fossil fuels by 80 per cent by 2050, under the first industry-wide environmental strategy, published on 3 June. The Scotch Whisky Association also announced ...

The Austrian wine industry's generic body has announced a strategy change and a new corporate logo. Austrian Wine Marketing (AWM), the generic body that represents the Austrian wine industry, has announced a strategy change and a new corporate logo. After more than 20 years, the AWM says it is implementing ...

Bacardi has appointed a new managing director for travel retail. Andrew Carter is the new managing director of the Bacardi Global Travel Retail division.  Carter is currently global gin category director at Bacardi Global Brands.  He will begin his new position in August.  Séamus McBride, president and ...