Maxxium Travel Retail outpaces market growth

Maxxium Travel Retail’s sales grew by 11% last year, outpacing European travel retail growth of 8%, according to findings by International Wine and Spirits Research (IWSR).

Scotch whisky exports up 22%

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has announced that the value of scotch exports for the first half of 2011 is up 22%

Champagne holds breath after “earliest harvest”

Growers, cooperatives and houses in Champagne have offered ambivalent first appraisals of the 2011 vintage, following what has been described as the appellation’s “earliest ever harvest”.

CIVB appoints marketing director

The Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB) or Bordeaux Wine Council, which represents Bordeaux vine growers and négociants, has announced the appointment of François Jumeau as its new marketing director.

Jacquesson releases single-vineyard champagnes

Champagne Jacquesson has announced the launch of two single-vineyard champagnes from 2002 to global markets.

Nomacorc registers double-digit growth

US-based synthetic closure brand, Nomacorc, has announced it registered 10% year-on-year growth during Q1 and Q2 of 2011.

Absolut reports 6% growth

Absolut Vodka, part of the Pernod Ricard group, has revealed that its annual sales value and volume grew by 6% during the period July 1 2010 to June 30 2011. 

Pernod posts 7% sales growth

Pernod Ricard has posted annual organic sales growth of 7% to achieve a turnover of €7.6b.

Patron ramps up marketing in South Africa

South Africa: Patron has launched its first billboard campaign outside of the US. 

Philippines spirits tax violates WTO rules

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has ruled that discriminatory excise tax on spirits in the Philippines is a violation of WTO rules.

Heineken buys two Ethiopian breweries

Africa: Heineken has purchased two breweries in Ethiopia for a total of US$163 million. 

Bacardi trials Bombay Sapphire East

Bacardi USA has announced plans to trial a new gin, Bombay Sapphire East, in the US on and off-trade.

Diageo unveils Captain campaign

Diageo has launched a global, multi-media marketing campaign for its Captain Morgan rum-based brand.

Ian Macleod Distillers sets travel retail record

Malaysia: Ian Macleod Distillers has set a new sales record for the company and the Malaysian Travel Retail industry.

DI's Christian Davis: Cheers to £75K Yquem

Seventy-five thousand pounds, or US$122,433 or 85,613, for a bottle of wine is mind boggling. OK, it’s Château d’Yquem, but from 1811. It was the year Napoleon II was born. Little did he know his father would abdicate three years later, returning after 11 months to fight and lose the Battle of Waterloo. 

Edrington pushes Brugal in travel retail

US: Brugal rum brand-owner the Edrington Group, their distributors Rémy Cointreau Travel Retail Americas and retailer International Shoppes have combined forces to promote travel retail exclusive Brugal Extra Viejo Reserva and Brugal Añejo Reserva - starting in New York JFK.

Mako Vodka makes US splash

Mako Vodka, a nautically themed spirit made using water from “ice-age aquifers” has launched to selected states in the US. 

StarBev eyes international expansion for Staropramen

StarBev has announced ‘significant investments’ in its Staropramen brand, as it eyes international expansion.

Show some humility, says CEO of Renaud Cointreau

Owners of traditional products such as champagne and cognac need to show some humility in their dealings with new emerging markets, according to the president and CEO of Groupe Renaud Cointreau.

Pernod Ricard signs joint venture with Tequila Avión

Pernod Ricard has announced a joint venture with Tequila Avión to produce and promote the ‘ultra-premium’ tequila brand Avión.

Glenmorangie launches £2500 whisky

The Glenmorangie Company has released a £2,500 whisky matured in Chateau d’Yquem sauternes casks.

Diageo launches £15m Tanqueray campaign

Diageo has launched a £15m global campaign for its Tanqueray gin brand.

Auchentoshan charters transatlantic internships

Scotch whisky Auchentoshan is looking for entries to The Auchentoshan Switch, a cocktail competition that offers bartenders transatlantic internships.

EPI completes Piper-Heidsieck purchase

Rémy Cointreau has completed the sale of all the shares in Piper-Heidsieck-Compagnie Champenoise to the EPI Group (Européenne de Participations Industrielles).

€5m global Vinho Verde campaign unveiled

The Vinho Verde Wine Commission (CVRVV), in Portugal, has invested €5m on a three-year global promotion.

Chivas launches $200,000 whisky

Chivas Brothers has launched a US$200,000 whisky as a tribute to the oldest crown jewels in Britain - the Honours of Scotland.

Heaven Hill launches new liqueur

US: Heaven Hill has launched a liqueur called Hpnotiq Harmonie. The new product is an infusion of French vodka, natural fruits, flowers, and cognac.  The mix includes berries, violets and lavender.

Buffalo Trace offers Millenium Barrel to charity

Buffalo Trace Distillery has offered the entire 174-bottle release of its Millennium Barrel expression to US charities for auctioning.

Duvel swaps Green for Single Fermentation

Belgiun beer Duvel Green has been renamed Duvel Single Fermentation, in a bid to ease consumer understanding.

170-year old Veuve fetches €30K

A 170-year old bottle of champagne salvaged from a shipwreck in the Baltic Sea has fetched €30,000 at auction.

Diageo buys SAB's stake in Kenya Breweries

Diageo subsidiary East African Breweries (EAB) has purchased all of SAB Miller’s 20% shareholding in Kenya Breweries (KB). The transaction is worth US$225 million. The deal is subject to EAB disposing of its 20% shareholding in Tanzania Breweries – by way of public offer through the Dar-es-Salaam Stock Exchange.

Ardbeg to launch Alligator expression

Ardbeg has announced the September launch of its new limited release, Ardbeg Alligator, to Europe, Asia and the US.

Beam launches Courvoisier Rosé

US: Beam Global and Courvoisier cognac have launched Courvoisier Rosé. The liqueur is a blend of Courvoisier cognac and French 'red wine grapes'. The flavour profile is said to feature "notes of blackberry, blackcurrant and a touch of cherry, complemented by vanilla, honey and vine-peach flavours". The 36 proof liquid (18%abv) is best served chilled or on ice and is available throughout the US for $24.99.

DISCUS updates advertising guidelines

The Distilled Spirits Council in the US (DISCUS) has increased the demographic placement standard in its Code of Responsible Advertising Practices. The change reflects the 2010 Census data, which shows that 71.6% of the US population is 21 years of age and older. The previous demographic was 70%.

Rémy sells Piper-heidseick to EPI

The Rémy Cointreau Group has announced the sale of Piper-heidseick – Compangni Champenoise to EPI (Européenne de Participations Industrielles)

Laithwaites releases Van Ruiten Old Vine Zinfandel

Laithwaites, the international wine mail-order company, has released Van Ruiten Old Vine Zinfandel 2008 from California.

How to crack the US market

Entrants aiming to crack the US market need to take a bold approach, according to a wine importer.

Bacardi appoints trio of directors

The Bacardi Global Travel Retail Division has announced three director-level appointments in a bid to “create a leadership team with a wealth of experience and global expertise”.

Patrón enlists former Diageo VP

Patrón Spirits has appointed Phil Gervasi, a former VP at Diageo, as executive vice president of sales for North America.

Irish Distillers launches new single pot still whiskeys

Irish Distillers, the Irish whiskey arm of Pernod Ricard, unveiled two new single pot still Irish whiskeys today (May 5).

Bacardi crowns global cocktail champion

Bacardi has crowned the winner of the first Superior Rum Global Legacy Cocktail Competition, in Barcelona.

Malibu adds Cranberry-Cherry to its range

Pernod Ricard US has announced that Malibu has added Cranberry-Cherry to its range of rum liqueurs, following a vote by consumers.

Bartenders do duel for No. 209 Gin crown

Two of London’s bartenders drew swords in San Francisco in the final of the No. 209 Gin Duel.

Jim Beam's Red Stag comes to UK and travel retail

Jim Beam has launched its Red Stag bourbon-based drink in the UK market and in travel retail outlets across Europe.

Christie’s raises $11m in 36-hour wine sale

Christie’s has conducted a 36-hour wine auction in Hong Kong and New York, with sales totalling US$11.2m.

SABMiller’s Sudanese brewery invests $15m

SABMiller subsidiary company Southern Sudan Beverages (SSBL) is to invest US$15m to increase production capacity.

Prowein pulls them in: attendance up 5%

Prowein organiser Messe Düsseldorf has announced record attendance figures for the show held this week, 27-29 March 2011.

Jack Daniels launches honey whiskey

Jack Daniels has launched a honey whiskey – the brand’s first launch in nearly a generation.

42 Below announces cocktail winners

Team Italy has won the 2011 42 Below Cocktail World Cup.

Amorim registers double-digit volume growth

Cork producer Amorim recorded double-digit volume growth in 2010.