Going to the airport is a generally depressing experience these days. We only do it because either we have to for work, or we’re off on holiday to somewhere far, far better...

The International Wine Challenge held is annual bash at the Hilton on London’s Park Lane last night at which all its trophy winners were announced.

A rare bottle of Rémy Martin Black Pearl cognac estimated to be worth between £5,000 and £7,000 is up for auction in London.

Yes, it is that time of year: late summer/autumn when publishers start releasing books with an eye to the Christmas gifting market. Well, here’s one for anyone looking for either a coffee table book or an easy-to-read/glance at, authoritative book on whisky.

Lucy Britner on livening up tequila

It’s been something of a month in gin terms. It kicked off with the International Spirits Challenge gin tasting. Chaired by Beefeater master distiller Desmond Payne this was indeed something of a ‘challenge’, with no fewer than 58 gins to slurp, taste and rate...

The world’s first female master blender, Joy Spence, is a chemist, philanthropist and all-round spirited raconteur. Jaq Bayles meets the architect of Jamaica’s best-known rums

Tesco has moved one of its champagnes to lightweight bottles, but should other brands follow suit? James Boulton of Claessens International explores whether champagne producers can embrace sustainability without damaging their products’ premium status

Vergelegen, one of South Africa’s best wine producers, has unveiled a new wine, DNA.

The House Janneau has released some limited edition armagnacs, called the Dragon Vintages.

Credit to Pernod. The company has done a fine job this week in extolling the success of scotch whisky around the world and in telling important opinion formers that the company is best placed to capitalise on that thirst and in doing so earn lots of money for the company, its suppliers, customers, not forgetting its investors.

The European Travel Retail Council (ETRC) has welcomed the European Parliament’s recent motion to stop budget airlines charging passengers for carrying more than one bag in their hand luggage.  

Hands up who was watching The Apprentice last night on BBC?  The teams had to promote awareness of English sparkling wine.

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

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.

First Drinks will be the new UK distributor of CEDC brands Zubrówka Bison Grass Vodka and Green Mark - the world's fourth largest vodka.

There has been a seismic shift in the Chilean and Argentinian wine industries, according to some leading experts.

World number one Irish whiskey, Jameson, is teaming up with film actor Kevin Spacey and his production company to launch a short film competition to discover talented screenwriters and directors from Russia, South Africa and the US.

Diageo, through its Johnnie Walker brand, has launched a social media project to get communities involved in either technology, arts or business projects.

New Zealand’s Ara Wines has launched One Estate, a sparkling wine made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc, in the UK.

Diageo has launched a cinnamon spiced vodka in travel retail.

Diageo has announced that Madonna will partner Smirnoff in the next instalment of the Nightlife Exchange Project.

Stock Spirits recorded double-digit organic revenue growth and profit growth in 2010.

The Stock Spirits Group has announced double digit organic volume growth with total sales volumes of 162.4 million litres in 2010.

Jameson has reached three million nine litre case sales (MAT ending October 31). According to the brand, growth in the US, Jameson’s largest export market, contributed to its milestone success, with one million cases sold.