Dear reader,

Welcome to the Drinks International newsletter.

Until next week....

Christian Davis, Holly Motion and Hamish Smith

Top Stories
SABMiller opens Ghana brewery extensionPublished:27 February, 2015

Accra Brewery, the Ghanaian subsidiary of SABMiller, will open officially today (February 27) its new facilities which have been upgraded as part of a $100m brewery expansion project at its existing site Accra.


Parker gives up en primeursPublished:26 February, 2015

Robert Parker, probably the world’s most influential wine critic, has announced that he is giving up tasting and judging Bordeaux en primeur wines.


Pernod Ricard announces executive appointments Published:27 February, 2015

Pernod Ricard has announced a number of appointments that will see the current CEO of Martell Mumm Perrier-Jouët (MMPJ), Philippe Guettat, head Pernod Asia. 


Blavod gets TTB approvalPublished:26 February, 2015

Distil has announced that its Blavod Black vodka has been approved for sale in the US by the US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).


Jägermeister reports “significant decrease” in US salesPublished:26 February, 2015

Mast-Jägermeister has reported a 5.6% decline in annual sales volumes due to “challenging trading conditions” in the US market. 


Sparkling wine drinking is growing in the USPublished:25 February, 2015

Sparkling wine consumption in the US is growing, according to a new report from Wine Intelligence.


Diageo to unveil Johnnie Walker Blue “smart bottle” Published:25 February, 2015

Diageo will unveil a “smart bottle” Johnnie Walker Blue Label prototype at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona March 2-5.


Pernod Ricard unveils Midleton Dair GhaelachPublished:25 February, 2015

Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard has unveiled its first Irish whiskey to be finished in virgin Irish oak as part of its Midleton Single Pot Still range. 


Suntory Holdings announces sales risePublished:20 February, 2015

Suntory Holdings has announced 2014 yielded sales of 2.5 trillion yen, up 20% year on year, and operating income of 165 billion yen, up 30%.


Australian Vintage reports $4.4m profit for half yearPublished:19 February, 2015

Major Australian wine producer, Australian Vintage has announced half year net profits of AUS$4.4 million, up from $4m, for the half year to December 31, 2014.


Cono Sur is the official wine of the UK Tour de FrancePublished:18 February, 2015

Vina Cono Sur, the major Chilean wine brand part of the Concha y Toro stable of brands, is the official wine of the Tour de France in the UK in 2015 and for the following two years.


Pernod growth thwarted by ailing China Published:12 February, 2015

Pernod Ricard has reported sales and profit growth of +1% for H1 2014/2015, after declines in China and the US halted overall advances.


The World's 50 Best Bars Brands Report 2015: Cocktails Published:08 January, 2015

Here we look at the brands used by the World's 50 Best Bars in cocktails.


The World's 50 Best Bars Brands Report 2015: BeerPublished:08 January, 2015

Next up in the Brands Report is beer. 


Analysis
Pastis: The Star Anise Published:25 February, 2015

The pastis market may be a mature one, but it is using tradition alongside innovation to recruit new consumers. Richard Woodard investigates


The Brandy Report (3/12): CognacPublished:20 February, 2015

In the latest article of the Brandy Report, Nicholas Faith discusses the downturn in the ever-volatile cognac market


The Brandy Report (2/12): The PhilippinesPublished:20 February, 2015

In the second article of the Brandy Report series, DI investigates the Philippine brandy market


Brandy report, 1/12Published:18 February, 2015

In the first of our new series of reports on the global brandy sector we introduce the category - where it is now, and where it is headed.


Sparkling Wine: A Brave New World Published:30 January, 2015

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


Tennessee Whisky: Don't Mess With TraditionPublished:22 January, 2015

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


Rainbow BrandyPublished:16 January, 2015

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


Sugar Syrups: Hitting the sweet spotPublished:13 January, 2015

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


ProWein 2015: Specialist Insight by Gregory Dal PiazPublished:15 January, 2015

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


Agent Orange: Panos SarantopoulosPublished:09 January, 2015

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


Cachaça: In Full FlowPublished:09 January, 2015

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


Valuing the Douro Published:09 December, 2014

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


DI talks to Sandy HyslopPublished:19 December, 2014

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.


Raki comes to the table Published:09 December, 2014

Hamish Smith investigastes the resurgence of an old spirit


Star Studded: TFWA World Exhibition Review Published:09 December, 2014

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


Sweet Wines: A Noble PursuitPublished:08 December, 2014

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


Are flavoured spirits a honey trap?Published:08 December, 2014

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


Heritage and future: Alfred CointreauPublished:08 December, 2014

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


Comment
DI's Christian Davis on Pernod's roundtablePublished:16 February, 2015

Drinks International's editor Christian Davis was at Pernod Ricard's roundtable. 


Menezes relaxed as Diageo splutters Published:29 January, 2015

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


Pure Gould on Sunset Boulevardier and Chivas RegalPublished:06 January, 2015

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


Patience Gould on tequila and Irish whiskeyPublished:04 December, 2014

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


WSET: China – has the bubble burst?Published:15 December, 2014

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


Bar news
A view from the city – SeoulPublished:20 February, 2015

Jackie Yoo, Cocktail Week Korea and Whisky Live Seoul organiser, tells us about the bar scene in Seoul.

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