Zamora Company CEO slams Trump tariffs

Emilio Restoy, Zamora Company CEO and vice president of the Spanish Wine Federation (FEV), has spoken on President Donald Trump's measure of imposing heavy tariffs on certain European products including wine.

Pernod Ricard full year results

Pernod Ricard has reported sales of €9,182m (6% organic growth) for the  full year 2018/19 plus +8.7% organic growth in PRO (proft on recurring operations.

Pernod unveils plans to build China’s first malt whisky distillery

Pernod Ricard, has announced the official breaking ground on the site of China’s first malt whisky distillery in Sichuan province, the first distillery from an international spirits and wine group.

Diageo workers threaten strike action over pay

Earlier this summer trade union Unite Scotland said it would ballot members working for Diageo in Scotland for strike action following a dispute over pay.

Diageo buys majority shareholding in Seedlip

Diageo has announced the acquisition of a significant majority shareholding in Seedlip, which is claimed to be the world’s first distilled, non-alcoholic, spirits brand.

Diageo announces move to Soho

Diageo has announced that it is moving its global headquarters from Park Royal, north west London, to Soho in London in 2021.

Applbaum to leave Bacardí in August

Bacardi global chief marketing officer for Patrón and Grey Goose Lee Applbaum will leave the company after six years at the company.

Amorim announces a 50% stake in Vinolok

Corticeira Amorim, the world’s largest producer of cork wine closures, has bought a 50% share in Vinolok, the producer of glass and crystal closures.

Bacardí Brown-Forman to end long-running distribution deal

Bacardí and Brown-Forman have decided to end their distribution deal in the UK after more than a decade working together.

Diageo results, year ended June 30

Diageo, the world’s largest premium drinks company has reported net sales of £12.9bn, increased 5.8% with organic growth partially offset by acquisitions and disposals.

Zamora Company USA adds wines and limoncello to growing portfolio

Wine brands Ramon Bilbao, Cruz de Alba, Mar de Frades albariño and Villa Massa limoncello will join the join Zamora Company USA portfolio effective August 1, 2019.

Edrington makes Francois Saurel new Asia Pacific MD

Edrington has appointed Francois Saurel as the new regional managing director for Asia Pacific, effective from July.

IAADFS appoints Rene Riedi new chair

The International Association of Airport and Duty Free Stores (IAADFS) board of directors has elected Rene Riedi as its new chair.

WSTA appoints Michael Saunders new chair

The board of directors of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association has appointed Michael Saunders as its new chair following Dan Jago’s three-year term in the role. 

Amber Beverage Group buys Cellar Trends

Amber Beverage Group (ABG) has completed the 100% purchase of the UK-based drinks distributor, Cellar Trends.

Hillhouse buys Loch Lomond

Hillhouse Capital Management, a global investment firm which describes itself as focusing on “innovative businesses in growth industries”, has bought scotch whisky producer, the Loch Lomond Group, from Exponent Private Equity.

Pernod Ricard to acquire Italian gin brand Malfy

Pernod Ricard has announced the signing of an agreement with Biggar & Leith for the acquisition of the Italian super-premium gin brand Malfy.

Altia partners with Conaxess Trade Beverages for Nordic distribution

Leading Nordic alcoholic brands company Altia and the Danish spirit company Conaxess Trade Beverages will enter in a strategic collaboration as of 20 May 2019.

Toon Blij steps down from Toorank

International drinks company Toorank has announced that CEO Natal da Graça and CCO Henny Tadema have taken ownership control of the company following Toon Blij’s retirement from the board.

Global Brands records over £50m turnover for FY18

Independent drinks producer and distributor Global Brands has reported a 19.5% increase in total sales, taking turnover to more than £50m for the financial year ending 30 September 2018.

Vinexpo announces new CEO

Show organisers, Vinexpo, has announced that  Rodolphe Lameyse will take up his post as its new chief executive officer of the Vinexpo group on April 16.

Fever-Tree records 40% revenue growth in 2018

Premium mixer brand Fever-Tree has announced a 40% revenue growth for the year ended for 31 December 2018.

Quintessential Brands launches North America business

International spirits company, Quintessential Brands Group, has announced the reorganisation of its North American operations, forming a stand-alone business entity to serve the North American market called Quintessential Brands North America.

Prowein announces new head

Messe Düsseldorf, organisers of ProWein and ProWine China/Asia, have announced a new global head wine and spirits of ProWein.

Pernod Ricard UK appoints new on-trade director

Pernod Ricard UK has promoted James Bremner to the position of on-trade channel director, reporting to Chris Ellis, Pernod Ricard UK commercial director.

Cannabis 'poses risk' to alcohol industry in the US, research says

Latest research by the IWSR shows that 45% of millennials in the US who consume alcohol, also consume cannabis.

First Israeli whisky gets UK distribution

The Milk & Honey Distillery has named Maverick Drinks as the sole UK distributor for its collection of whiskies, gins and herbal liqueurs.

Zamora Company expands business to Mexico and France

The Zamora Company has opened a new commercial office in Mexico as well as a new company in France following a 37% increase in turnover over the past six years.

Bacardi Brexit stockpiling: The right solution?

Following the recent announcement that Bacardi has been stockpiling goods, one logistics expert suggested all drinks brands should review its supply chains.

Pernod "monitoring" cannabis legalisation

Pernod Ricard is monitoring the legalisation of cannabis in the US and Canada with the potential of adding a cannabis-based product to its portfolio in the future.

Fentimans expands to Middle East

Fentimans expands to Middle East with the launch of five flavours as it targets 100 countries by 2020.

IWSR releases low/no-alcohol report

The IWSR has released its “Global Opportunities in Low- and No-Alcohol” report, which examines market sizing, key players, on-trade analysis, product innovation, and consumer trends.

Pernod records +7.8% sales growth for H1 FY19

Pernod Ricard has announced ‘very good’ financial results for the first half of FY19 with organic sales up 7.8%.

UK Drinks Retailing Awards announced

UK multiple retailers Morrisons, The Co-op, Waitrose, Tesco and specialist retailer Hedonism, were among the big winners at the 2019 Drinks Retailing Awards, held by Drinks Retailing News at The Dorchester hotel on Wednesday evening (February 5).

WSTA says duty rise "bitterly disappointing"

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has warned British consumers to expect a rise in wine prices as businesses were hit with a duty rise on Friday 1 February.

Diageo comfortable about stock levels for Brexit

Diageo’s president global supply and procurement is comfortable the company’s stock levels and supply chain, ahead of the UK leaving the European Union.

Stock Spirits buys Distillerie Franciacorta for €25m+

The Stock Spirits Group has announced the purchase of Distillerie Franciacorta Spa, one of the leading Italian producers of grappa, liqueurs and Franciacorta.

Diageo reports net sales up 5.8% for second half of 2018

Diageo, the world’s largest premium drinks company, has reported net sales of 5.8% and an operating profit of £2.4bn, up 11.0%, driven by organic growth.

Amber Beverage Group appoints Americas MD

As part of its global expansion, Amber Beverage Group has appointed Charles Henagan as managing director Americas.

London Wine Fair to charge some trade visitors

The London Wine Fair has announced a remodelling of the visitor registration system, which means trade visitors not exhibiting and who are considered competition to those companies who do, will be charged to enter.

TFWA China key speakers announced

The 2019 TFWA China’s Century Conference has announced that China Duty Free Group (CDFG), Central Japan International Airport (Nagoya), Alibaba, Ctrip.com and Lagardère Travel Retail will be represented on stage at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Sanya, Haitang Bay from 5-7 March.

Welsh drinks industry shows significant growth

Spirits, cider, low alcohol and alcohol-free beer are some of the key areas of growth across the Welsh drinks sector, according to the Food and Drink Wales Industry Board (FDWIB).

WSET celebrates 50 years

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) is celebrating its 50th anniversary providing wine and spirits education to the industry.

Stock Spirits Group reports revenue increase

Premium spirits and liqueurs owner and producer Stock Spirits Group has recorded an +8.7% revenue increase for the year ending September 2018.

Baijiu dominates list of most valuable spirits brands

Leaders of the Chinese baijiu market: Moutai, Wuliangye, and Yanghe are the world’s most valuable spirits brands, according to the latest report by Brand Finance, an independent brand valuation and strategy consultancy.

Edrington sells Cutty Sark to La Martiniquaise-Bardinet

Edrington has sold the Cutty Sark blended scotch whisky brand to French company, La Martiniquaise-Bardinet. 

Henkell and Freixenet come together

Henkell & Co. Sektkellerei and Freixenet SA has unveiled a new name and a logo for the holding company, the former Henkell & Co. Group.

Illva Saronno targets 1m cases of Indian whiskey

The CEO of Disaronno parent company Illva Saronno, Augusto Reina, has said they plan to reach 1m cases of Indian whiskey in the near future.

Amber Beverage Group to acquire Russian spirits producer Permalko

Amber Beverage Group (ABG) has confirmed it will complete the acquisition of Permalko, one of the oldest producers of spirits in Russia.

Diageo sells 19 brands to Sazerac for $550m

Diageo has agreed the sale of 19 brands to Sazerac for an aggregate consideration of $550m, due for completion in early 2019.