William Grant appoints new chair

William Grant & Sons has appointed Glenn Gordon as non-executive chairman.

Life after Cooley for John L Sullivan

Georgetown Trading is looking for new Irish whiskey suppliers for its John L Sullivan brand following Beam’s decision not to renew contracts between Cooley Distillery and third-party brands.

Turkish delight for Patrón

Patrón Spirits has partnered with the Turkish importer BT to distribute the company's tequilas and XO Cafe coffee liqueur.

Former Cooley MD to create Irish whiskey company

Jack Teeling has left his position as managing director of Cooley Distillery, just months after its sale to Beam, to set up an independent Irish whiskey company.

New Zealand announces Pinot Noir 2013

New Zealand Winegrowers has announced the dates and details of its Pinot Noir conference, 2013

Heinken USA appoints sales VP

Heineken USA has appointed Christopher Wade to the newly created position of vice president of sales development, effective May 1, 2012. 

Diageo completes deal to buy Chinese white spirits company

Diageo has announced the completion of the mandatory tender offer for the outstanding shares in Chinese white spirits company, Sichuan Shuijingfang

Pernod refinances debt from Vin&Sprit purchase

Pernod Ricard, supported by 25 banks, has signed a new €2.5 billion, five-year multi-currency revolving credit facility.

Rémy Cointreau raises a cognac to Asia

Rémy Cointreau's consolidated turnover for the 2011/12 financial year was €1,026.1 million, an increase of 13% (up 15.6% organically) compared with the previous year.

Russian Standard in $310m CEDC investment

Russian Standard Corporation will invest $310m and assume 28% of CEDC's shares as part of a new strategic alliance.

SAB Miller announces staff shake-up

SAB Miller has announced a number of directorate and senior management changes that will become effective from the company’s annual general meeting on July 26, 2012.

Beam sets new Cooley focus

Following its €95m purchase of Cooley Distillery, Beam will phase out the supply of third-party brands to concentrate on building its core Irish whiskeys: Kilbeggan, Tyrconnell, Connemara and Greenore.

New distillers for Highland Park and The Macallan

The Edrington Group has announced the appointments of new distillery managers at its single malt scotch brands Highland Park and The Macallan.

New distillers for Highland Park and The Macallan

The Edrington Group has announced the appointments of new distillery managers at its single malt scotch brands Highland Park and The Macallan.

US: Spirits exporters secure access to Colombia

The US-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement will officially enter into force on May 15, 2012, according to an announcement from the US Distilled Spirits Council (DISCUS).

China looks to sweet red and white wine

The Chinese wine market of the future will feature more white and sweet red wines, according to a report by Wine Intelligence.

A-B InBev bolsters Caribbean brewing ops

Anheuser-Busch InBev’s Brazil-based arm AmBev and E. León Jimenes which owns 83.5% of Cervecería Nacional Dominicana (CND) are to form a 'strategic alliance' in the Caribbean.

Chapel Down imports grapes from Argentina

Chapel Down has joined forces with Gaucho Restaurants and Wines of Argentina to create the first Argentinian-grown, English-made Malbec.

Diageo appoints chief procurement officer

Diageo has appointed Thibaut Eissautier to the role of chief procurement officer. 

McLaren Vale appoints new CEO

The McLaren Vale Grape, Wine and Tourism Association (MVGWTA), the generic body that represents growers in the premium wine producing region in south-east Australia, has announced the appointment of a new chief executive officer.

Cognac Ferrand and Wondrich's Curaçao arrives in US

Pierre Ferrand Cognac's orange liqueur, Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao - created in collaboration with cocktail historian David Wondrich - has been rolled out to the US.

Guy Wilkes dies aged 49

Guy Wilkes, best known for his time with fine-wine merchant Negociants UK, has died aged 49.

SPI appoints Asia Pacific director

SPI Group has appointed Nigel Bath as Asia Pacific regional director.

Coors to buy Staropramen owner

Molson Coors is to purchase Staropramen brewer StarBev for €2.65 billion ($3.54 billion). 

Emerging markets still in the driving seat

Emerging markets will continue to drive alcoholic drinks volume and value growth in 2012, according to Euromonitor International.

Brintex optimistic despite LIWF absentees

Events firm Brintex has voiced optimism ahead of this year’s London International Wine Fair (LIWF) and Distil despite the absences of Pernod Ricard, Percy Fox (Diageo’s UK wine division) and PLB.

£1m whisky shop opens in Edinburgh

Edinburgh-based Scotch Whisky Experience has opened the doors to its whisky shop, following a £1million refurbishment.

William Grant plans €35m Tullamore Dew homecoming

William Grant & Sons has announced a €35m plan to take the production of Tullamore Dew back to its former home in Tullamore.

Scotch exports hit record high

The scotch whisky category belied global economic instability in 2011 by growing sales value 23% to a record £4.2billion.

SPI signs up Telford for Stoli's distribution in China

SPI Group has signed a five-year agreement with Telford International Company for the distribution of its Stolichnaya portfolio in China.

US: DISCUS recruits Campari, appoints new chair

Campari America has joined the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS).

Focus on: The Brazilian wine market

Paul Medder, Wine Intelligence's country manager for Brazil, offers his analysis of the effects of protectionism in the burgeoning Brazilian wine market.

UK proposes 40p per unit minimum price

The UK government has pledged to introduce a minimum alcohol price of 40p per unit and the ban of by-one-get-one-free deals in a bid to counter binge drinking.

Stock grows profits despite falling volumes

Stock Spirits Group (SSG) registered profit growth but revenue decline in 2011, having been influenced by “a challenging market backdrop”.

UK budget sees alcohol prices increase

UK: The Chancellor has added another 41p to a bottle of spirits and 11p to a bottle of wine in the latest Budget.

China: Diageo gets green light to acquire ShuiJingFang

China: Diageo has been given the go-ahead to make an offer for the remaining shares of ShuiJingFang. The maximum offer stands at GBP630m.

CEDC takes Barefoot to Poland

Central European Distribution Corporation (CEDC) has extended its links with Gallo Vineyards to include the distribution of Barefoot wines in Poland.

UK: Cask Liquid to market two Berry brands

Berry Bros. & Rudd Spirits has announced Cask Liquid Marketing will assume UK distribution for The King’s Ginger liqueur and The Pink Pigeon vanilla-infused rum.

WSTA appoints new chief executive

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association, the lead body for the UK wine and spirits sectors, has announced the appointment of Miles Beale as its new chief executive.

Malibu Sunshine to rise in spring

Pernod Ricard has announced the launch of Malibu Sunshine, a citrus edition of the rum and coconut liqueur.

Beaujolais primed for new Burgundy AOC

As the third consecutive "great" Beaujolais vintage readies for market and glasses, the talk in the region has turned to another newcomer, the newly formed appellation of Coteaux Bourguignon.

Champagne regains fizz

The Champagne Bureau has reported increased shipments in 2011. Total shipments worldwide rose from 319.5 million bottles in 2010 to 323 million in 2011.

Henkell acquires Cavas Hill

Henkell & Co Sektkellerei has acquired cava producer Cavas Hill.

Campari reports steady 2011

Italian drinks company Davide Campari-Milano has reported a group net profit for 2011 of €159.2m, up from €156.2m in 2010.

Bacardi appoints new president and CEO

Bacardi has appointed a new CEO, following the retirement of Séamus McBride.

Berrys buys Richards Walford

Berry Bros & Rudd. one of the world's oldest and most famous wine merchants,  has bought Richards Walford & Co, the independent shippers based in Stamford, Lincolnshire, subject to contract.

More than 40,000 visit ProWein

The trade wine fair ProWein attracted over 40,000 visitors, according to its organisers Messe Düsseldorf.

Su Birch of Wines of South Africa wins business award

Su Birch, CEO of Wines of South Africa (WoSA) is the winner of Wine Intelligence’s inaugural ‘10 for 10 Business Award’.

Gifting still driving wine sales in China

Gifting remains the driving force behind wine sales growth in China, according to research by Wine Intelligence.

Licor 43 hits the 500,000 cases mark

The Diego Zamora group has reported that its Licor 43 brand finished 2011 with sales of 500 000 cases worldwide, 4.2 million liters, which represents an increase of more than 25% over 2010.