Bacardi challenges US government as battle for Havana Club escalates

Bacardi has demanded that the US government reverse its January 11 decision to grant the Havana Club trademark to Pernod Ricard.

New UK and Ireland MD for Les Grands Chais de France

French wine producer Les Grands Chais de France has promoted UK off-trade director Mark Kears to be the group's new managing director for UK and Ireland.

Cairanne promoted to Cru status

Cairanne, in the Côtes du Rhône, has been awarded 'appelation communale' status by the Institut National des Appellations d'Origine.

Harpers offers independents all-expenses-paid trip to Rioja

Harpers is partnering with Wines from Rioja to offer independent retailers the chance of an all-expenses-paid trip to some of the most respected and innovative bodegas in the beautiful Rioja region.    

UK launch for Canella Bellini aperitif at SITT

Prosecco winery Canella is to launch its bottled Bellini aperitif in the UK this month.

anCnoc turns to fashion's Patrick Grant for limited edition release

Inver House Distillers has partnered with award-winning fashion designer Patrick Grant to launch a limited edition expression of its anCnoc Highland single malt.

William Grant enters peated whisky market with Ailsa Bay launch

Wineteca 2016 to partner with Gambero Rosso

The Italian Chamber of Commerce is to partner with leading Italian food-and-drink publisher Gambero Rosso for its 2016 Wineteca tasting.

Côtes du Rhône promises "spectacular" 2015 vintage

The 2015 harvest in the Rhône Valley is one of the best in professional memory, Côtes du Rhône Wines is reporting, with reds in particular showing great promise.

Enotria & Coe to reveal raft of new wines at major post-merger tasting

Enotria & Coe has unveiled the line-up for its first Showcase Tasting since the two companies merged last year.

UK businesses should follow whisky's lead in targeting Latin America, conference told

A rapidly expanding and young middle class in Latin America makes it an ideal target market for many UK businesses, an Edinburgh conference was told this week.

Superstar DJs revealed for Skin Côntact post-gig dancefloor battle

Tickets for the eagerly anticipated return of Skin Côntact, unarguably the UK wine-trade's pre-eminent rock and pop band, are now on sale.

UK's sky high drinks tax helping Italy win fizz war

With England due to take on Italy in the Six Nations Rugby tournament on Sunday, the Wine & Spirits Trade Association is using the occasion to highlight the disparity in tax rates between the two nation's drinkers.

Pernod Ricard outperforms Diageo with solid half-year profit growth

Global drinks giant Pernod Ricard has reported solid growth in the first half of its financial year 2015/16, with organic sales up 3% to £3.9 billion.

Amazon goes old-tech with sommelier phoneline

Online retail giant Amazon is trialing what it is describing as a sommelier service for its customers in Japan.

Rioja winery CVNE hosts major Caro exhibition

Leading family-owned Rioja winery, Compania Vinicola del Norte de Espana, is to host an exhibition by British scultor Sir Anthony Caro at its Cune Winery in Haro this year.

Plans for first distillery on Raasay approved

Weak euro offsets ongoing slide in French wine and spirits exports

The ongoing weakness of the euro in the global currency markets has proved a boon for makers of wine and spirits in France, according to figures released by the Fédération des Exportateurs de Vins et Spiritueux de France.

Washington State's Charles Smith winery launches Italian range

Washington State's Charles Smith Wines is marking its tenth anniversary with the launch of a new range of Italian-varietal wines.

Former Scottish secretary joins calls for 2% duty cut on whisky

Alistair Carmichael, secretary of state for Scotland in the 2010-15 coalition government, has written to the chancellor George Osborne calling for a further 2% cut in the duty on whisky and other spirits.