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.

UK bar group reports record sales since reopening

British bar operator Arc Inspirations has reported that sales have increased by 35% compared to 2019 since it resumed trading in May.

Master of Malt predicts future drinking trends

Online retailer Master of Malt has unveiled three key trends that could define the spirits industry during the next year.

Bacardi identifies three key social groups as on-trade reopens

Bacardi has identified three key consumer groups after conducting an extensive survey on attitudes towards revisiting bars as lockdown measures are eased.

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.

Sales of beer and Jägerbombs soar in England during the Euros

Alcohol sales in English pubs have skyrocketed during the Euros according to data collected by UK hospitality app OrderPay.

UK off-trade sales finally decline as bar trade rebounds

Sales of beers, wines and spirits have finally started to decline in the UK off-trade after bars were permitted to open their doors once again.

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.

Belvedere launches Organic Infusions range

Belvedere has stepped into the organic category with a trio of flavoured expressions that infuse the Polish rye vodka with organic fruits and botanicals.

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.

Eden Mill extends distribution through La Martiniquaise-Bardinet

Scottish distiller Eden Mill has entered a new partnership with French drinks group La Martiniquaise-Bardinet for the UK distribution of its gin portfolio.

Research exposes high demand for draft alcohol-free beer

A consumer survey from alcohol-free beer brand Lucky Saint has revealed that nearly a third of people in the UK would now consider ordering an alcohol-free drink in bars, pubs or restaurants.

Edrington and Beam Suntory agree distribution swap

Edrington and Beam Suntory have reached an agreement to end their joint-venture distribution businesses in Spain and the UK after more than a decade of partnership.

Edrington and Beam Suntory announce equity swap for UK and Spanish businesses

Spirits giants Edrington and Beam Suntory have agreed to an equity swap of stakes in their jointly-owned distribution companies in Spain and the UK.

Poland and Italy drive sales growth for Stock Spirits

Stock Spirits Group increased volume sales by 2% to 8.3 million 9-litre cases in the six months to March 31.

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.

Henkell Freixenet reports 7.4% sales decline for 2020

Henkell Freixenet has reported that net sales decreased by 7.4% year-on-year in 2020 after the Covid-19 pandemic caused bars and restaurants to close for several months.

Gonzalez Byass UK appoints Melissa Draycott as managing director

Melissa Draycott will take over from Martin Skelton as managing director of Gonzalez Byass UK in September.

Fentimans launches 200ml mixer range

Fentimans is to replace 125ml mixer bottles with a new range of 200ml mixers, as the premium mixer brand aims to “tap into the growing popularity for long mixed drinks”.

Imbibe Live 2021 set to go ahead

Imbibe Live 2021 will go ahead from 13-14 September at Olympia London, organiser Reed Exhibitions has announced.

Freixenet Copestick signs distribution deal with The Garage Wine Co.

Freixenet Copestick has expanded its portfolio by signing an exclusive distribution partnership with Chilean producer The Garage Wine Co.

Safety is paramount for female bar staff

Nick Strangeway on the duty of care which bars must have to their female staff and customers.

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.

The rise of Rioja’s carbonically macerated reds

It’s December 2020 and I’m holding in my hands a Rioja whose vintage bears the same year. And it’s one of the brightest, freshest, easiest to drink wines I’ve had since moving to the area.

Jura launches new rum cask finish

Jura single malt whisky has launched a new rum cask finish as the latest member of the Jura Cask Editions.

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.

Naughty Water builds up momentum in the burgeoning hard seltzer category

An ambitious start-up aims to turn hard seltzers into a hot summer drinks trend within the UK market.

Casillero del Diablo launches Spanish Tempranillo

Leading Chilean wine brand Casillero del Diablo is expanding into Spain by launching a Tempranillo from Cariñena.

Becky Davies: “Tequila is the real deal and that’s why it’s so exciting"

Drinks International caught up with Becky Davies, head of commercial at Ten Locks, to learn more about the firm's plans to kickstart a defining era for tequila in the UK.

Campo Viejo to launch Winemaker’s Blend in the UK

Campo Viejo has announced the launch of Winemaker’s Blend, a new blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha and Bobal.

Covid-19 and Brexit hit UK gin exports

UK gin exports decreased by £100 million in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to new figures from HM Revenue & Customs.

Tequila regulatory body stresses the importance of respecting Geographical Indications of origin

Picture this scenario: a world-famous alcoholic drinks brand launches what it calls a “Tequila-flavoured” product, with the aim of persuading consumers that they are enjoying a drink with the purest expression of the country of Mexico.

UK pubs will miss out on selling 14 million pints this St Patrick’s Day

Pubs across the UK will miss out on 14 million sales of pints this St Patrick’s Day due to lockdown closures, the British Beer & Pub Association has reported.

Heineken's Pure Piraña hard seltzer expands into Europe

Pure Piraña, Heineken’s hard seltzer brand, has announced an expansion into Europe following its exports into Mexico and New Zealand last year.

Ferrari Trento plans global expansion after Formula One deal

Drinks International caught up with Ferrari Trento chief executive Matteo Lunelli to learn more about the brand’s new Formula One sponsorship deal.

Celebrate Her to 'raise glasses' for International Women's Day celebrations

Celebrate Her, an initiative to support gender parity, diversity and inclusion in the UK hospitality industry, will virtually champion the #ChoosetoChallenge campaign for International Women’s Day.

Beefeater to launch new TV ad campaign

Pernod Ricard has announced a new multi-million-pound marketing campaign for Beefeater starting on 19 April targeting 25-34-year-olds.

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.

Kingsland Drinks champions alternative grape varieties

UK importer Kingsland Drinks is championing alternative grape varieties that have the potential to drive excitement and experimentation among consumers.

UK government announces duty freeze on spirits, wine and beer

The UK government has announced a second consecutive duty freeze on spirits, wine, beer and cider.

I Heart Wines sales exceeded 31m bottles in 2020

More than 31 million bottles of the I Heart wine brand were sold in 2020 after it enjoyed significant growth in several international markets.

BBC Spirits imports several leading British brands

French distributor BBC Spirits has bolstered its portfolio with several UK spirits brands as it bids to drive growth in 2021.

GreatDrams awarded for successful adaptation during Covid-19

GreatDrams has been named a winner at the Lloyds Bank Small Business of 2020 awards through the success of its virtual tastings.

Daddy Rack whiskey gets UK distribution deal

Daddy Rack, an original Tennessee straight small batch whiskey, has launched in Scotland with plans for a wider UK roll out in March.