Diageo has announced a new global brand director for Guinness. Oliver Loomes has been appointed to the role, following Brian Duffy’s promotion to global category director for beer.

Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard has launched two new whiskeys.

New Zealand: An organic wine group has set a goal for 20% of New Zealand vineyards to be organic by 2020.

Brand Phoenix has been appointed distributors for Angove Family Winemakers in the UK off-trade.

Pernod Ricard has announced the completion of the sale, by its affiliate Pernod Ricard New Zealand, of Lindauer and other New Zealand wine brands from Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay together with their inventories and assets.

First Cape Wines has announced it will sponsor the British and Irish Lions rugby tour of Australia in 2013.

Russia could be the next growth market for cider, according to a new report.

A Pinot Noir from the Central Otago region has been named Champion Wine at the Air New Zealand Wine Awards.

The European Spirits Organisation (CEPS) has launched a new five-year commitment to promote responsible drinking.

The economic contribution of Europe's spirits industry to the European economy has been revealed in a new report. The report was prepared by Ernst & Young and commissioned by CEPS – the trade body for the European spirits industry.

Irish whiskey Jameson has launched a new expression in South Africa. Jameson Select Reserve is made from a blend of small batch grain whiskey, not found in any other Jameson expression, and single Irish pot still whiskey.

New York is tough for a small company trying to get its brand listed and stocked in the city, according to the chief executive of Xanté, the Swedish company with the eponymous cognac and pear liqueur brand.

Pernod Ricard New Zealand has announced the disposal of its Lindauer wine brand. The company has also announced the sale of several other New Zealand wine brands from Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay together with their related inventories and assets.

Treasury Wine Estates brand Coldstream Hills has completed a $5m upgrade of its winemaking facilities

The inaugural London Cocktail Week (LCW) has begun - a seven-day event of shows, pop-up bars, parties, classes and tastings.

Cognac brand Courvoisier has undertaken a global repackaging of its VS label, starting with the UK and US markets.

SKyy Spirits, Gruppo Campari’s US-based subsidiary, has unveiled a new global ad campaign entitled Skyy Sexy to market its unflavoured vodka brand Skyy Vodka.

Hine Vintage Cognacs has developed a new “high-end” VSOP which will be exclusive to travel retail. The new cognac will be revealed at TFWA Cannes from October 18 -22.

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.

Chivas Brothers has launched a winter version of its Beefeater gin brand.

Diageo has launched a new flavour of its cream liqueur brand Baileys.

The Glenglassaugh Distillery Company has launched a range of “Spirit Drink” products. The aim is to give malt whisky fans the opportunity to sample the evolution of the spirit that will eventually become whisky.

Glenmorangie has launched a new whisky in its Private Edition range. The Glenmorangie Finealta, pronounced ‘Finalta’, is Scottish Gaelic for ‘elegant’. It is a recreation of Glenmorangie based on a recipe dating back to 1903.

Mount Gay rum has launched a new 'rare cask selection', called 1703.

Pernod Ricard has created a new brand company for its wines and made several organisational changes to its overall structure.