Lion completes takeover of Four Pillars

Sydney-based brewing group, Lion, has completed its takeover of Australian spirits producer Four Pillars for an undisclosed sum. 

Morris Whisky launches in the UK

Morris Whisky has launched in the UK market this Spring with its Signature and Muscat Barrel whiskies, founded in Australia in 2016.

Diageo acquires cold brew coffee liqueur Mr Black

Diageo has announced its acquisition of Mr Black, the Australian cold brew coffee liqueur. 

Regal Rogue targets indigenous communities with new charity

Australian vermouth Regal Rogue is celebrating its 10th anniversary with the launch of four new signature serves alongside a charity initiative.

China imposes 212% tariff on Australian wine

China has slapped a 212% tariff on Australian wine as diplomatic tensions between the two nations continue to mount.

Australia grows wine exports by 4%

Strong demand in the UK and China allowed Australia to increase wine exports by 4% during the 12 months to September 30.

Australian winemakers count the cost following The Wine Society collapse

Australian winemakers look set to receive just $20,000 of the $2 million they are owed after The Wine Society plunged into administration.

Australian winemaker plants Greek grape variety Assyrtiko

An Australian wine producer has announced that it has planted Greek vines that produce white wine grapes, Assyrtiko – a first for Australia.

Australian Wine

Consumers in Australia’s top two export markets are abandoning its wines for cheaper alternatives leaving producers wondering if Asia will grow big enough to compensate for US and UK declines. By Graham Holter

Australian vintage is exceptional

Australian wine producer Australian Vintage (AVL) has hailed the 2012 vintage from the Sunraysia and the Riverland wine region as ‘exceptional’ and one of the best in the past two decades.

Australian Vintage recruits major UK multiple buyer

Australian Vintage has recruited the senior buyer of one of the UK’s major multiple retailers.

Brown Brothers appoints UK brand manager

Australian winery Brown Brothers has appointed Rachel Herrig as brand manager to “drive the brand’s development in the UK and Ireland”.

Australian wine in discounting dilemma

The Australian wine market faces tough challenges ahead because of a growing reliance on discounting, according to Wine Intelligence.

Brown-Forman looking to offload Fetzer

Brown-Forman, the major US drinks company, has announced a strategic review with a view to offloading its Californina-based wine assets.

Constellation sells its Australian, UK and South African wine businesses

Constellation Brands, hitherto, the world's leading wine company, has announced that it has sold its Australian and UK business, (Constellation Wines Australia and Europe, CWAE), to CHAMP, an Australian private equity group.

Australia head hits out

Paul Henry, outgoing general manager, market development for the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation (AWBC), has accused retailers of being only interested in “volume and price” and described retailer consolidation and price compression as direct threats to proprietary brands.

Australian fine wine classification is published

Langton’s Classification, the quinquennial (occurring every five years) guide to Australia’s best performing and most prized wines, has been published.

Prosecco ban progress in Australia

Italy/Australia: The Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Consorzio has welcomed a ban on Australian producers using the term prosecco, under new EU laws. The Consorzio has pledged to continue fighting to get the ban implemented in other countries that continue to make prosecco, like Brazil.

Lovedale Semillon scoops top award

McWilliam’s winery has won Best White Wine at the invitation only Tri Nations Wine Challenge. The contest featured wines from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The winery won Best White Wine of Show Trophy and Best Other White trophy for its flagship 2005 McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon.