Sidney Frank creates Jägermeister marketing role

US: Sidney Frank has appointed Adam Rosen to the role of executive vice president, marketing/Jägermeister.

5th generation Torres to take helm

Spanish wine company Miguel Torres is about to usher in the fifth generation of its family to the apex of its business, following the announcement that Miguel Torres Maczassek will succeed his father Miguel A Torres as general manager from September. 

Distillers urge senate to pass Russian trade bill

Legislation granting permanent normal trade relations status (PNTR) to Russia has been introduced to the US Senate. The Distilled Spirits Council urged speedy passage in order for US distillers to gain many market access benefits of Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Diageo adds to shares in Vietnam's Halico

Diageo has successfully closed its public offer to acquire an additional 10.62% stake in Hanoi Liquor Joint Stock Company (Halico) in Vietnam. 

UK: Holly Valance to be the face of Gallo Moscato

Gallo Family Vineyards has partnered with Australian celebrity, Holly Valance, to publicise its newly launched Moscato wine in the UK.

UK: Wine and spirits price rises double inflation rate

The price of wine and spirits has risen by more than twice the level of inflation, according to the latest WSTA Market Report.

Video: Analysts explain The Millionaires' Club

Analysts from data research company Euromonitor International get beyond the numbers of The Millionaires' Club to provide insight on the movers, the losers and general trends in the global spirits industry. 

Żubrówka Biała joins The Millionaires’ Club

Żubrówka Biała has gained inclusion into The Millionaires’ Club 2012 after becoming CEDC’s second biggest brand and the world's 83rd largest selling spirit in 2011.

Bacardi Martini announces new md for the UK and Ireland

Bacardi Martini BV has announced the appointment of Rich Andrews as managing director of the UK & Ireland Business Unit and a member of the European Leadership Team under regional president, Europe, Stefan Bomhard.

Pernod Ricard makes senior management changes

Pernod Ricard has announced several senior management moves "in line with its policy of internal promotion and international mobility".

Pernod Ricard in Korean buyout

Pernod Ricard has signed an agreement to acquire HiteJinro’s 30% stake in Pernod Ricard Korea Imperial for a total price of KRW 70 billion (circ. EUR 48 million), to be paid in cash.

Diageo to invest £1bn in scotch

Diageo is to invest over £1billion in scotch whisky production over the next five years to meet growing global demand for its brands.

Accolade purchases Ascentia wine brands

Global wine producer and distributor Accolade Wines has purchased Californian brand Geyser Peak and stablemates Atlas Peak and XYZin, together with their assets and inventory, from Ascentia Wine Estates. The financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

Cuban rum to gain geographical denomination

Havana Club owners Cuba Ron and Pernod Ricard are lobbying for the creation of a geographical denomination for Cuban rum.

Gallo Winery buys Columbia and Covey Run

Californian wine producer E&J Gallo Winery has announced that it has purchased Washington State’s Columbia Winery and Covey Run Wine brands.

The Millionaires’ Club 2012 launches online

The Millionaires’ Club 2012 – the spirits industry’s definitive ranking of million-case selling brands - has launched on Drinksint.com.

Pernod raises the stakes

Pernod Richard is raising the stakes in scotch whisky after a week in which it hosted a ‘Capital Markets Day’ of presentations up at its flagship Glenlivet distillery on Speyside.

Ketel One happy with JV, no plans to sell

Nolet distillery executive vice president Bob Nolet has said he is not planning to sell the remaining 50% of Ketel One to joint venture partner Diageo.

Morrison Bowmore adds McClelland’s to Campari's US stable

Morrison Bowmore Distillers has granted Campari America exclusive US distribution rights for its McClelland’s scotch range.

4 in 10 consumers open to a lower alcohol offer, according to report

The potential market for lower alcohol wines is around 13 million UK wine drinkers, according to research published by Wine Intelligence.

UK: Alcohol-related deaths on the increase

Alcohol-related deaths and hospital admissions in England have increased according to a report published May 31.

UK: Cider drinkers outnumber lager drinkers

More people in the UK drink cider than lager, according to Westons Cider. 

Jim Beam’s 1795 exclusive at Frankfurt

Beam and Maxxium Travel Retail (MTR) have jointly launched a travel retail-exclusive Jim Beam bourbon at Frankfurt airport.

President: wine is Georgia's passport to European identity

The president of Georgia has said wine exports are to the benefit of Georgia’s national security and an important element of the country's progress.

Diageo buys Brazilian cachaça brand Ypióca

Diageo, the world's leading premium drinks business, has announced that it has reached agreement with Ypióca Agroindustrial Limitada to buy cachaça brand, Ypióca, and certain production assets.

Pernod confirms talks to gain 100% of Korean company

Pernod Ricard has confirmed that it is in discussion with the Korean company Hite Jinro to buy its 30% stake in Pernod Ricard Korea Imperial.

Atkin MW and Chester Osborn get Wine Intelligence Business Awards

Wine journalist, Tim Atkin MW and d'Arenberg owner and winemaker Chester Osborn, were both named as recipients of the Wine Intelligence 10 for 10 Business Award.

Scotland votes for 50p per unit

The drinks industry has again questioned the legality of a minimum pricing Bill in Scotland.

Concha y Toro commits to Fetzer

Concha y Toro, the largest wine producer in Latin America, is committed to developing and improving the Californian wine producer, Fetzer, which it bought from Brown Forman in March 2011.

Wine to be packed in cartons in the UK for the first time

Tetra Pak, the world leader in its eponymous packaging, has announced that wine can be packed in its cartons in the UK for the first time

International Spirits Challenge goes to Scotland

The whisky element of the International Spirits Challenge is to be held in Scotland and will feature a chance to meet the judges.

LIWF preview

The annual London International Wine Fair, with its spirits arm DISTIL, starts today. Hamish Smith rounds up the best of its offerings  

Vinexpo Asia-Pacific preview

More than 1,000 exhibitors from 30 countries will present their products at Vinexpo Asia Pacific.

Pernod Ricard announces Cuban rum for US

Pernod Ricard has announced the name of the Cuban rum brand that will appear in the US, should the trade embargo ever be lifted.

Change at the top of ProWein

Current project director Danila Avdiu will leave Messe Düsseldorf on December 31, 2012.

Whiskey goes to jail in Belfast

The makers of Titanic whiskey are to open a £5million distillery in an old Belfast jail.

Campari announces group pre-tax profit of €52.8 million

Gruppo Campari has announced group pre-tax profit of €52.8 million for the quarter ending March 31, 2012. 

The Philippines' Emperador leads the brandy world

The Philippines-based Emperador brand is the world’s number one selling brandy after more than doubling its volume sales during 2011.

Scotland wants 50p minimum unit price for alcohol

Scottish health minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced that the Scottish government will be introducing a minimum price for alcohol of 50p per unit.

Glenfiddich joins The Millionaires' Club

Glenfiddich has become the first single malt scotch to sell a million 9-litre cases in a year.

Beam makes its Mark over wax seal

A US court has upheld a ruling to protect Maker’s Mark’s dripping red wax seal.

Scotland: Diageo apologises to BrewDog

Diageo has apologised to Scottish brewer and bar operator BrewDog after it was stripped of an award at an industry event in Scotland.

Pernod expands US headquarters

Pernod Ricard USA is to move its US headquarters to Park Avenue in Manhattan.

Campari swaps Cellar Trends for Catalyst Brands

Campari Group is set to place its UK distribution in the hands of Matthew Clark's new business arm, Catalyst Brands, following the cessation of the Italian group's contract with Cellar Trends.

China holds key for global spirits brands

China is the key for any global company and it is as important now as the US was in the past, according to speakers at the inaugural Worshipful Company of Distillers' city debate.

UK: Pernod appoints new wine director

Pernod Ricard UK has promoted Chris Ellis to the role of commercial director of wines, with effect from July 1, 2012. 

South Africa launches new seal to guarantee ethical practice

The South African wine industry has launched a new seal, which will guarantee that the wine has been produced in line with fair labour practices, outlined and audited by the Wine Industry Ethical Trade Association (WIETA), which was established over a decade ago.

China to attend LIWF/Distil

Brintex, organiser of the LIWF and Distil, has announced that China will exhibit for the first time at the show.

US: Moet Hennessy and Marnier Lapostolle loosen ties

Moet Hennessy USA and Marnier Lapostolle have mutually agreed that Moet Hennessy USA will no longer act as the US distributor for Marnier Lapostolle’s Lapostolle and Chateau de Sancerre wines, effective July 1, 2012.

Heineken pushes responsibility

US: Heineken, the New York-Presbyterian Healthcare System and White Plains Hospital Center have issued tips to help prevent excess drinking during Prom season.