ZX Ventures: Tracking tastes in innovation

A direct-to-consumer site allowed AB InBev’s global investment and innovation group to continue gathering vital consumer feedback during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Luigi Bosca focuses on producing world-class Cabernet Sauvignon

The man who helped establish Malbec as Argentina’s flagship grape is now bidding to showcase the country’s potential as a producer of world-class Cabernet Sauvignon.

VSPT Wine Group sales up 11%

VSPT Wine Group has seen an 11% increase in sales for Q2 to maintain its number one spot in the Chilean market.

US wine tariffs threaten UK market shape

The UK’s most popular wines could disappear from supermarket shelves and pubs after the government proposed a 25% tariff on all wine imports from the US.

White Claw lays out international expansion plans

It’s been a sobering quarter for hard seltzer. Sales of the canned RTD that disrupted the US alcohol market when it burst onto the scene in 2016, have for the first time, stalled.

Functional cocktails: Industry's next big thing

In late 2020 the US Food & Drug Administration sent out a warning letter to Red Moon Herbs in Asheville, North Carolina, after it claimed its adaptogenic products were intended to mitigate, prevent, treat, diagnose or cure Covid-19.

Trivento named as the world’s best-selling Argentine wine brand

Trivento has been revealed as the world’s best-selling Argentine wine brand in a report by IWSR Drinks Market Analysis.

Moët Hennessy launches Volcan De Mi Tierra tequila in the UK

Tequila brand Volcan De Mi Tierra has launched its Blanco and Cristalino expressions in the UK.

WSTA calls for immediate end to US whiskey tariff

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has called for the UK government to swiftly remove tariffs on US whiskies.

Brighter days ahead for the industry

Global alcohol consumption is expected to increase by 2.9% this year, according to new IWSR projections. Martin Green reports.

Distill Ventures launches accelerator programme to increase diversity

Distill Ventures has committed to increasing diversity within the drinks industry through the launch of a new pre-accelerator programme dedicated to early stage founders from underrepresented groups.

Praphakorn Konglee crowned Bacardí Legacy champion 2021

Praphakorn Konglee from Thailand’s Find the Locker Room bar has won the Bacardí Legacy Cocktail Competition 2021 with is drink ‘Out of Sight’.

VSPT Wine Group reports strong Q1 sales

South American wine producer VSPT Wine Group posted a 27.6% sales increase during the first quarter of 2021 in spite of poor exchange rates.

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.

Tequila's calling for celebrity mixto

Stars continue to flock to give their endorsement to 100% agave brands, but sustainability has become an issue as consumer demand has risen.

US scotch whisky tariffs suspended for five years

A deal has been struck between the UK and US to end retaliatory tariffs on malt whiskies for five years.

Largest increase in alcohol consumption in the United States in almost two decades

In 2020, beverage alcohol consumption in the US saw the largest volume gain in nearly 20 years.

Penderyn chief executive Stephen Davies on resurrecting Welsh whisky

When Stephen Davies arrived at Penderyn in 2004, the Welsh whisky industry had lain dormant for almost a century. Nowadays it’s an established category with a growing reputation for quality.

IWSR forecasts global beverage alcohol to gain 3% volume in 2021

The global drinks industry is showing positive signs of recovery and will grow in volume by 2.9% by the end of 2021, according to new IWSR forecasts.

Californian wine: Trouble in paradise

California is the latest major wine-producing region to struggle with Mother Nature after a drought emergency gripped the Golden State.

Jinro tops The Millionaires' Club for 20th consecutive year

Korean Soju giant Jinro has topped Drinks International's The Millionaire Club for the 20th year in a row having added 9m 9-litre cases in 2020.

UK proposes new tariffs on US wine imports

US wine imported into the UK could become one of several American products to be levied with new tariffs as part of the ongoing trade war.

Diageo North America announces Pronghorn, a diversity, equity, and inclusivity initiative

Diageo North America has announced Pronghorn, an economic initiative to drive diversity, equity, and inclusion in the spirits industry.

Armagnac: How US tariff relief poses long-term questions

A synchronised sigh of relief was heard right across the Armagnac region last year as the news broke of Donald Trump’s defeat in the US election.

Concha y Toro posts 8.2% revenue increase for Q1

Leading Chilean wine producer Concha y Toro has reported an 8.2% revenue increase in the first three months of 2021.

Lucas Bols reports 32% drop in revenue in 2020

Lucas Bols has reported an estimated 32% year-on-year decline in revenue for the 2020/21 financial year after widespread on-trade closures and travel restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Isle of Harris gin lands US trade deal

The Isle of Harris Distillery in the Outer Hebrides Islands of Scotland has signed a new distribution agreement in the US with Misa Imports.

The Teasmith Gin gains US export deal

The Teasmith Gin has secured an £80,000 export deal with the biggest  independent wine retailer in the US.

Bollinger to acquire US-based Ponzi Vineyards

The Bollinger family has announced the acquisition of Oregon-based Ponzi Vineyards which will be its first winery in the US.

BR Distilling gains Texas distribution deal

BR Distilling Company in Memphis, US, has gained distribution across Texas as part of its rapid domestic expansion.

US champagne imports down 19% in 2020

According to the Champagne Bureau USA, the exports of champagne to the US fell almost 19% in 2020 year-on-year.

Rhum Barbancourt enters new distribution deal for LATAM and US

Rhum Barbancourt, a family-owned distillery established in 1862, has entered a new distribution deal with MONARQ Group for Latin American and the Caribbean as well as duty free in the US.

New Zealand wine: Covid's highs and lows

While New Zealand has managed the pandemic better than most, a lack of tourism and difficulties with shipping have taken a toll on wine sales. Martin Green reports.

Concha y Toro net profits increased 48.6% in 2020

Leading Chilean wine producer Concha y Toro increased net profit by 48.6% to Ch$77,994 million (US$107.4 million) in 2020.

Ghost Tequila gains US national distribution deal

Ghost Tequila has signed a national distribution agreement in the US with Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) that will see the brand enter four new states immediately.

Champagne Lanson enters new US deal with Terlato Wine Group

Terlato Wine Group has announced an exclusive sales and marketing agreement with Champagne Lanson to become effective April 1, 2021.

US Covid relief a 'great starting point' says Distilled Spirits Council

The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States has released a statement praising the ‘great starting place’ created by the senate’s passage of a $28.6bn relief package for hospitality.

Havana Club unveils Cuban Spiced variant

Havana Club has launched a Cuban Spiced variant in a bid to bring more millennial and Generation Z consumers into the rum category.

Scotch whisky producers celebrate suspension of US single malt tariff

Scotch whisky producers are celebrating after the US government announced it would suspend tariffs on various UK goods for four months.

Kendall Jenner launches 818 Tequila brand

Kendall Jenner has become the latest celebrity to launch a tequila brand with the release of 818 Tequila on Tuesday 16 February.

White Claw Mango enters UK market through Tesco

Hard seltzer brand White Claw has launched its Mango variety in the UK through supermarket chain Tesco.

Pernod Ricard sales suffer -3.9% drop through travel retail absence

Pernod Ricard sales for H1 FY21 have shown an organic decline of -3.9% on the previous year largely due to the ongoing struggles of travel retail.

Diddy, David Beckham and Ryan Reynolds donate $1 million to mixologists

Diddy, David Beckham and Ryan Reynolds have donated $1 million to several organisations that support the bartending community.

Luxco subject to near $0.5bn acquisition by MGP Ingredients

MGP Ingredients has agreed a deal to acquire US spirits company Luxco for a value of $476m in cash and stock.

2020: Online sales' record year

Ecommerce has broken into markets that barely knew it existed pre-pandemic - and forcasts for the alcohholic drinks sector are very positive. Martin Green reports.

US spirits industry applauds UK for suspending retaliatory tariffs

The US spirits industry has applauded the UK’s decision to suspend retaliatory tariffs on American rum, brandy and vodka once it leaves the EU on January 1.

Campari Group suffers malware attack

Campari Group has revealed that some of its personal and business data has been compromised after it suffered a targeted ransomware attack.

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.

Wine.com reports 217% revenue increase

Leading US online retailer Wine.com has reported a 217% year-on-year revenue increase for the six months to September 30.

Naked Wines' James Crawford reflects upon H1 results

Drinks International caught up with Naked Wines’ chief financial officer James Crawford to discuss the firm’s impressive H1 results.