The gin category will be the focus of a new Drinks International event that takes place on February 9 at Merchant House in London.

Diageo has reported negative trading for the first half of its 2014/2015 financial year, thanks to volume declines in all of its regions except Africa.

Scotch whisky contributes nearly £5bn overall to the UK economy a year, according to The Economic Impact of Scotch Whisky Production in the UK report by 4-consulting.

Bacardi has announced an internal appointment of a new regional president for Europe.

A dozen sponsors have signed up to Drinks International and Off Licence News’ Think Gin event, which takes place on February 9.

French liqueur brand Cointreau has announced a creative partnership with French model and actress, Laetitia Casta.

For the moment vodka is the best selling international spirit and, despite many bartenders’ snipes, it is also big business in the world’s best bars.

Data research company Euromonitor International has said Diageo’s upcoming six months results may not reflect the company’s long-term growth prospects.

Diageo is to partner with Google’s Business View to offer free 360˚ virtual tours of its facilities. 

International drinks company Quintessential Brands has appointed Jeremy Rockett managing director of Marblehead, its UK brand development company.

The global wine market is predicted to grow by 3.7% by 2018, according to research by the IWSR, commissioned by Vinexpo.

As part of a hugely diverse category of a multitude of flavours and uses, it’s natural that the best sellingliqueurs differ from bar to bar.

Maxxium UK’s managing director Huw Pennell is leaving to take up a new job at Edrington, one of Maxxium’s shareholders.

The move to new halls will allow fresh ideas and innovation in the wine sector, according to the Prowein organisers.

As demand for sparkling wine shows no signs of abating, the New World is taking its chances and offering quality like never before, as Jamie Goode reports

Distillers in Tennessee are whipping up a storm as they continue to debate the definition of their whiskey. Dominic Roskrow reports

When it comes to brandy South Africa does not get much of a look in. Yet its best are up there with the world’s greatest.  Christian Davis reports

Adventurous flavours are on the cards for sugar syrups in 2015, as Lucy Britner reports

Gregory Dal Piaz, editor of Snooth.com, discusses where your next great wine will come from

Panos Sarantopoulos, chief executive of Rémy Cointreau’s liqueurs and spirits division, is on a mission to get the iconic orange liqueur behind every bar. Christian Davis meets him

Brazil’s cachaça is carving out an identity for itself ahead of the 2016 Olympics, as Richard Woodard reports

Jaq Bayles finds that port may at last have found some ways to make itself attractive to a younger generation. And even the most traditional producers are at peace with it

Sandy Hyslop, Chivas Brothers’ master blender, is hands on. He’s not one for travelling long haul most of the year. Christian Davis tracks him down to where he is happiest.

Hamish Smith investigastes the resurgence of an old spirit

Despite facing a litany of challenges, the travel retail business is upbeat, as the TFWA World Exhibition proved. Joe Bates reports

It may not have the raciest of images, but sweet wine is undergoing quiet change. Jamie Goode reports

Flavoured spirits drinks are being released at a pace. But are they blurring the rules over whisky production, and are they just a passing fad? Dominic Roskrow reports

Hamish Smith meets the latest generation of the world’s most famous triple sec family

Drinks International's editor Christian Davis was at Diageo's half-year results briefing.

Patience Gould sees in the new year with a Sunset Boulevardier – and celebrates the latest from Chivas Regal

Patience Gould assesses what’s going on as things shake up in the tequila and Irish whiskey categories

Or does it just need to be pumped up, asks Ian Harris – CEO of WSET