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    Get the lowdown on the top brands, countries and in-depth analysis with OLN's exclusive wine report. The lowdown of the spirits market with a close look at the biggest sellers. The lowdown of the beer market with a close look at the biggest sellers. Look at brands that top the off-trade chart in all the major categories with OLN's exclusive Brands Report. Subscribe today and receive every issue.
Latest News
  • Bigger bottle for St Stefanus

    Published:  22 February, 2012

    Miller Brands has launched a 75cl version of its Belgian craft beer St Stefanus.

  • 10% of all beer sales illicit: HMRC

    Published:  22 February, 2012

    One tenth of all beer sales in the UK are illicit, according to HM Revenue & Customs.

  • Naked Wines signs up Rod Easthope

    Published:  22 February, 2012

    New Zealand winemaker Rod Easthope, who recently resigned as chief winemaker of Craggy Range, will make an exclusive range of wines for Naked Wines in a £300,000 project.

  • Independent push for Portugal

    Published:  22 February, 2012

    Wines of Portugal is targeting independent wine merchants in a new push to enthuse the wine trade about the quality and diversity of Portuguese wines.

  • Gallo launches Moscato with biggest ever investment

    Published:  21 February, 2012

    Gallo will launch Moscato wines under its Gallo Family Vineyards and Barefoot labels next month, the winery has announced.

  • Independent exclusive from Codorníu

    Published:  21 February, 2012

    Codorníu has extended its Anna de Codorníu range with Anna de Codorníu Blanc de Noirs, exclusive to independent wine merchants and the on-trade.

  • Is there a future for National Wine Month?

    Published:  21 February, 2012

    The agency which organised National Wine Month last year has called on the wine trade to ask if wants to continue the initiative this year.

  • Outdoor ad push for Stella

    Published:  21 February, 2012

    AB Inbev has launched an outdoor ad campaign for Stella Artois that aims to highlight the brand’s brewing heritage.

  • Golden ticket to the Golden State

    Published:  17 February, 2012

    The Wine Institute of California and Off Licence News are giving independents the chance to win a trip to the Golden State and an Enomatic wine sampling machine.

  • Marston's hails 2012 as year of the PBA

    Published:  17 February, 2012

    Bottled beers are driving growth in the ale market but retailers are missing £20 million in sales due to out-of-stocks, according to new figures. 

  • Fraudsters face jail terms

    Published:  17 February, 2012

    The owner of an Essex bonded warehouse has been jailed for 10 years for leading a £50 million alcohol and VAT fraud.

  • Diageo seeks to evade grocery price wars

    Published:  17 February, 2012

    Diageo has said a decline in UK sales of its spirits brands in the last half of 2011 was the result of a reduction of its active involvement in deep supermarket promotions. 

  • Crunk rebrands after Portman ban

    Published:  17 February, 2012

    Alcoholic energy drink Crunk Juce is set to relaunch as Crunk CJ after the Portman Group banned it in its original format. 

  • Trade responds to Cameron's pledge to beat binge-drinking

    Published:  15 February, 2012

    Trade bodies have responded to prime minister David Cameron’s pledge to tackle problem drinking today (February 15). 

  • Prime Minister calls time on alcohol abuse 'scandal'

    Published:  15 February, 2012

    Prime Minister David Cameron has announced plans to cut alcohol abuse. A problem he calls "one of the scandals of our society".

  • £1m fund for safer communities launched

    Published:  14 February, 2012

    A £1 million fund to help local communities tackle under-age and binge-drinking has been launched by the government’s champion for active safer communities, Baroness Newlove.

  • Abandon tax hike to give drinks an Olympic boost: WSTA

    Published:  13 February, 2012

    The Wine & Spirit Trade Association has called on the government to scrap this year’s planned alcohol tax hike to give businesses a boost for the Olympics.

  • Waitrose scoops five gongs at 2012 Drinks Retailing Awards

    Published:  07 February, 2012

    Waitrose has scooped five awards in OLN's Drinks Retailing Awards -  including the Lifetime Achievement Award, which went to Dee Blackstock MW.

  • Portman ban for 'sexual' tonic wine and 'hard' cider

    Published:  07 February, 2012

    A tonic wine which features a naked couple embracing on its label and a cider branded as “hard” have been banned by the Portman Group.

  • New look for Bowmore

    Published:  07 February, 2012

    Islay single malt whisky Bowmore has repackaged its UK and travel retail ranges with a new premium gift box and a refreshed bottle design.

  • Spirited Wines buys Nicolas estate

    Published:  02 February, 2012

    Spirited Wines, the company which bought the Nicolas shops outside London in 2010, has bought the remaining Nicolas estate from French wine company Castel.

  • Minimum price to cut consumption by 6% a year: report

    Published:  02 February, 2012

    A 45p-per-unit minimum price coupled with total ban on discounting in the off-trade could cut consumption by 6% in its first year, according to an updated forecast by the University of Sheffield.

  • Low-alcohol boost for Tesco

    Published:  02 February, 2012

    Low-alcohol wine sales in Tesco grew 3.4% to 1.9 million bottles over Christmas 2011, from 1.8 million bottles the year before.

  • Molson Coors boosts focus on supermarkets and c-stores

    Published:  01 February, 2012

    Molson Coors is increasing its focus on multiple grocers and convenience stores by hiring more field staff through marketing agency REL Field Marketing.

  • Cono Sur gift packs to get independents' sales sparkling

    Published:  01 February, 2012

    Cono Sur is offering independent wine merchants POS packs with its Sparkling Brut and Sparkling Rosé, in a bid to drive sales for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and Easter.

  • Edinburgh mulls cap on off-licences

    Published:  31 January, 2012

    Edinburgh City Council is considering capping the number of off-licences in the city.

  • New campaign for vinho verde

    Published:  31 January, 2012

    The body representing vinho verde has launched a major campaign in the UK in a bid to capitalise on growing demand for lighter styles of wine.

  • Smokers' group campaigns against plain packs

    Published:  31 January, 2012

    Smokers’ lobbying body Forest is to launch a campaign against plain packaging of tobacco – called Hands Off Our Packs.

  • First Drinks takes on Zubrowka and Green Mark

    Published:  30 January, 2012

    First Drinks has added Zubrówka Bison Grass Vodka and top Russian vodka brand Green Mark to its portfolio, after parting company with Russian Standard.

  • Greene King in Six Nations rugby giveaway

    Published:  30 January, 2012

    Greene King is offering rugby fans the chance to win a training session with the England team in an on-pack promotion on bottles of its IPA.

  • Kiwis take on Grüner Veltliner

    Published:  25 January, 2012

    Kiwi winemakers are experimenting with Grüner Veltliner – which they believe could be the next big thing from New Zealand.

  • Cox upbeat on New Zealand

    Published:  25 January, 2012

    New Zealand Winegrowers’ Europe director David Cox remains bullish in the face of duty hikes, exchange rate pressures and early reports of a potentially small 2012 vintage, he has told OLN.

  • Brancott Estate launches 18.7cl bottle

    Published:  25 January, 2012

    Pernod Ricard UK is set to launch a 18.7cl bottle of Brancott Estate.

  • Trade must work together on duty fraud: FWD

    Published:  25 January, 2012

    The Federation of Wholesale Distributors has called on the drinks trade to work with HM Revenue & Customs to stamp out alcohol duty fraud.

  • Truman's calls on London ale fans in hunt for new home

    Published:  25 January, 2012

    East London brewer Truman’s is asking London ale drinkers to help it find a new brewery site.

  • Minimum price 'may not affect binge-drinking'

    Published:  25 January, 2012

    Minimum unit pricing may not stop young people binge-drinking, one of the academics behind the influential Sheffield Report on alcohol pricing has said.

  • 'No progress' against duty fraud

    Published:  25 January, 2012

    HM Revenue & Customs is making little or no progress in fighting alcohol duty fraud, with fewer than six cases a year leading to convictions, a National Audit Office report has revealed.

  • International Cider Challenge 2012 entries open

    International Cider Challenge

    Published:  20 January, 2012

    OLN has launched the International Cider Challenge 2012 and is calling for entries from producers.

    The competition is designed to recognise the diversity and range of packaged products in the dynamic and growing cider category.

  • £2.48 wine 'above duty and VAT'

    Published:  20 January, 2012

    Asda has insisted that a wine it has been selling for £2.48 is not selling for less than duty plus VAT.

  • Olympics won't save tough 2012

    Published:  20 January, 2012

    The drinks trade is facing a tough 2012 as the country struggles economically – and even major sporting events aren’t expected to bring much of a sales uplift.

  • Australia faces market share loss

    Published:  20 January, 2012

    The head of Wine Australia has warned the country stands to lose market share in the UK amid tough conditions driven by exchange rates and pricing pressures.

  • OLN bursary to bring independents to LIWF

    Published:  20 January, 2012

    Off Licence News is launching a raft of activity at this year’s London International Wine Fair to increase the show’s appeal to independent retailers and help maximise its business-building potential.

  • Top two quit JS wine team

    Published:  20 January, 2012

    Sainsbury’s has started the year on the hunt for a new wine chief after two high-profile team members announced their departures. 

  • Brazil in fresh generic push

    Published:  20 January, 2012

    Wines from Brazil is increasing its presence in the UK to grow awareness as it gears up to host the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016.

  • Portman cracks down on Crunk Juce

    Published:  19 January, 2012

    An alcoholic jelly called Suck & Blow has been banned in its current format for breaching three elements of the Portman Group’s code.

  • Tesco develops 2.8% beers

    Published:  18 January, 2012

    Tesco is hoping to steal a march on rivals by becoming the first retailer to list a new range of lower-strength beers.

  • 'World's hottest chilli vodka' launched

    Published:  18 January, 2012

    Online retailer and bottler Master of Malt has launched what it says is the world’s hottest chilli vodka.

  • Clem Yates MW leaves Sainsbury's

    Published:  18 January, 2012

    Sainsbury’s winemaker Clem Yates MW is leaving the retailer to join Off-Piste Wines as sourcing and supply director.

  • Scotland accuses supermarkets of "undermining" law

    Published:  18 January, 2012

    The Scottish government has accused supermarkets of “undermining the spirit” of its alcohol laws by selling cheap drinks.

  • Paul Braydon joins Guy Anderson Wines

    Published:  18 January, 2012

    Paul Braydon has joined Guy Anderson Wines as national account manager.

  • Magners sees lift in GB volumes

    Published:  17 January, 2012

    A 5.8% rise in volume sales of Magners cider in GB in the quarter to November 30, 2011, has been reported by Dublin-based C&C Group.

  • New sparklers from Distell

    Published:  17 January, 2012

    Brand Phoenix and Distell have launched two new sparkling wines.

  • Wine Society appoints new chief executive

    Published:  17 January, 2012

    The Wine Society has appointed Berry Bros & Rudd chief operating officer Robin McMillan as its new chief executive.

  • Beefeater launches London pack

    Published:  17 January, 2012

    Beefeater gin has launched a limited edition pack to celebrate its London heritage.

  • Bibendum to unveil 23 new producers

    Published:  16 January, 2012

    Bibendum is to launch 23 new wineries at its annual trade tasting next week.

  • Seckford Agencies woos Wooing Tree

    Published:  16 January, 2012

    Central Otago wine brand Wooing Tree has joined Seckford Agencies’ portfolio.

  • Exportiberia opens UK office

    Published:  16 January, 2012

    Regional Spanish wine specialist Exportiberia has opened a UK office.

  • Blue Nun launches 5.5% abv range

    Published:  13 January, 2012

    Blue Nun has launched a low-alcohol range of wines at 5.5% abv.

  • Pre-mix Challenge results revealed

    Published:  11 January, 2012

    Pre-mixed drinks scooped a host of awards in the 2012 Pre-mixed Drinks Challenge, run by OLN’s sister paper Drinks International.

  • Scotland should ban drinks sales in supermarkets: doctor

    Published:  11 January, 2012

    Scotland should consider stopping supermarkets from selling alcohol, a leading Scottish psychiatrist has said.

  • Man dies at Glenfiddich distillery

    Published:  11 January, 2012

    A man has been found dead at the Glenfiddich distillery in Scotland. According to several newspapers, Brian Ettles died in a 16ft washback.

  • Benevolent names new chairman

    Published:  10 January, 2012

    Pernod Ricard UK deputy managing director Simon Thomas has been named the new chairman of the Benevolent.

  • Xenia Irwin to leave Spar

    Published:  10 January, 2012

    Xenia Irwin MW is to leave Spar to become commercial manager at ABS Wine Agencies.

  • Changes at Thierry's

    Published:  10 January, 2012

    Thierry’s has made two appointments in its management team.

  • New flavour for Lambrini

    Published:  10 January, 2012

    Halewood International has launched a new flavour for Lambrini.

  • Majestic's Xmas sales leap 8%

    Published:  10 January, 2012

    Majestic’s sales grew 8.4% over the nine weeks of Christmas trading from November 1 to January 2, the retailer has reported.

  • Las Bodegas adds 30 wines to its list

    Published:  10 January, 2012

    Argentina specialist Las Bodegas is adding 30 new wines to its portfolio over the next two months – all of them new to the UK.

  • Sainsbury's launches Responsibility Deal campaign

    Published:  06 January, 2012

    Sainsbury’s is running an in-store campaign to raise awareness of alcohol units, promote lighter-style wines and encourage consumers to manage their drinking responsibly.

  • Budvar reports record exports

    Published:  05 January, 2012

    Czech brewery Budweiser Budvar has reported record exports in 2011.

  • Crabbie's goes to the Great Outdoors

    Published:  05 January, 2012

    Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer is setting up a ski lodge at the Outdoors Show at London’s Excel exhibition centre from January 12-15.

  • Jacob's Creek signs up tennis star Agassi

    Published:  05 January, 2012

    Jacob’s Creek has signed up tennis star Andre Agassi for a three-year global campaign promoting its wines.

  • Rémy Martin launches new VSOP

    Published:  05 January, 2012

    Rémy Martin has launched a cask-finished VSOP for the European market.

  • Codorníu reshuffles sales team

    Published:  05 January, 2012

    Codorníu has appointed a new UK brand manager as part of a reshuffle in its sales and marketing departments.

  • Oxford Wine Co appoints new buyer

    Published:  04 January, 2012

    The Oxford Wine Co has appointed Marcia Waters MW as wine buyer.

  • Accolade launches trade website

    Published:  04 January, 2012

    Accolade Wines has launched a website to help independent convenience stores grow their sales today (January 4).

  • Fine wine prices drop 15% in 2011

    Published:  04 January, 2012

    Fine wine prices fell 15% in 2011, fine wine index Liv-ex has reported.

  • Naked Wines ad banned

    Published:  04 January, 2012

    A Naked Wines ad offering its customers their money back has been banned by the Advertising Standards Authority.

  • D-Day for Booker's indie campaign

    Published:  03 January, 2012

    Booker is launching a campaign that aims to draw 2 million extra shoppers to independent retailers.

  • Sterling launches rolling tobacco

    Published:  03 January, 2012

    JTI has launched its first value roll-your-own tobacco brand – Sterling Rolling.

  • Château Brown launches QR code

    Published:  03 January, 2012

    Pessac-Léognan grand cru estate Château Brown has introduced a Quick Response code for its forthcoming vintages.

  • Price-marked pack for Eristoff

    Published:  03 January, 2012

    Eristoff has launched a 70cl bottle price-marked at £11.49.

  • More girls than boys hospitalised for alcohol

    Published:  30 December, 2011

    Girls are being taken to hospital following binge drinking in greater numbers than boys, government figures reveal.

  • Brighton doubles alcohol crackdown zone

    Published:  30 December, 2011

    Brighton has created what is thought to be the biggest cumulative impact area in the UK.

  • PM considers minimum alcohol pricing, says report

    Published:  29 December, 2011

    England could be about to follow Scotland with plans for minimum prices for alcohol.

  • Scottish government defends silence over minimum pricing

    Published:  21 December, 2011

    The Scottish health minister has come under fire for failing to declare the government’s preferred level for minimum alcohol pricing.

  • Health minister says pricing won't cure UK's drink problem

    Published:  18 December, 2011

    Health secretary Andrew Lansley has rejected the idea of using minimum pricing as a way of curbing problem drinking.

  • Alcohol pricing scheme is illegal, minister says

    Published:  15 December, 2011

    The government remains convinced that minimum unit pricing for alcohol is illegal under European law, despite the Scottish government’s determination to press ahead with the policy.

  • Medics urge MPs to increase alcohol prices

    Published:  14 December, 2011

    Medics have repeated their call for the government to use minimum pricing as a way of curbing alcohol misuse.

  • Christmas tunes annoy shoppers

    Published:  13 December, 2011

    Shoppers feel they are being bombarded with the same Christmas songs over and over again, a new poll has revealed.

  • Retail awards shortlist out

    Published:  13 December, 2011

    Off Licence News has released the shortlist for our prestigious Drinks Retailing Awards 2012. 

  • Inflation surges on wine and spirits

    Published:  13 December, 2011

    Inflation on wine and spirits has leapt up in the past month, according to the Office of National Statistics and the Wilson Drinks Report.

  • Gin tipped for top at Sainsbury's

    Published:  13 December, 2011

    Sainsbury’s is tipping gin as a top-selling spirit this Christmas.

  • Wine sales slump as tax hikes bite

    Published:  13 December, 2011

    Wine sales dropped 3% in the past year and the pace of decline has accelerated this autumn as tax hikes bite, the WSTA has reported.

  • Molson Coors backs barley farmers

    Published:  12 December, 2011

    Molson Coors has written to 60 MPs across the UK to challenge the duty escalator on beer by highlighting the relationship between barley farming and brewing.

  • Marketing push for Morgan's Spiced

    Published:  12 December, 2011

    Diageo has invested £2 million in a digital media and consumer PR push for Captain Morgan’s Spiced.

  • £2m push for Guinness

    Published:  12 December, 2011

    Diageo has launched a £2 million Christmas ad campaign for Guinness.

  • Bleak prediction for wine

    Published:  09 December, 2011

    Rising taxes may mean there is no future for wine in the UK, a leading Californian winemaker has warned.

  • Minimum price to hit poorest

    Published:  09 December, 2011

    Plans for minimum unit pricing in Scotland will hit poorest households the hardest, a report from the Institute for Fiscal Studies has claimed.

  • Heynen to leave Molson Coors

    Published:  09 December, 2011

    Molson Coors sales director John Heynen is to leave the brewer at the end of this year, as part of an organisational restructure.

  • Morrisons trials new drinks layouts

    Published:  09 December, 2011

    Morrisons is trialling a range of new initiatives to make its drinks aisles more accessible.

  • £10 fizz leads price charge

    Published:  09 December, 2011

    Asda was selling £10 bottles of Champagne this week as the supermarkets’ battle for hard-up consumers’ Christmas drinks budgets hotted up.

  • Westons and Marco Pierre White launch cider

    Published:  07 December, 2011

    Westons has teamed up with chef Marco Pierre White for the launch of a new cider.

  • Kiss cover features in Smirnoff ads

    Published:  07 December, 2011

    A version of the Kiss song Crazy Crazy Nights features in a £1 million pre-Christmas ad campaign for Smirnoff.

  • Virgin Wines launches mobile version

    Published:  07 December, 2011

    Virgin Wines has launched a mobile phone version of its website.

  • November retail sales hit a six-month low

    Published:  06 December, 2011

    UK like-for-like retail sales fell 1.6% in November compared with the same month in 2010 – the weakest performance since May.

  • Innis & Gunn to double workforce

    Published:  05 December, 2011

    Oak-aged beer producer Innis & Gunn is to double its workforce with the creation of 13 new jobs. 

  • Diageo pays for new year travel in London

    Published:  02 December, 2011

    Diageo is to sponsor free travel on public transport in the capital on New Year’s Eve.

  • Eisberg backs Love Your Liver month

    Published:  02 December, 2011

    Eisberg alcohol-free wine has joined up with the British Liver Trust to support its Love Your Liver month in January.

  • Jacob's Creek launches Cool Harvest

    Published:  02 December, 2011

    Jacob’s Creek has created a range of wines made from cool-climate regions and targeted at women.

  • Oddbins gives away Christmas turkeys

    Published:  01 December, 2011

    Oddbins is giving away turkeys this Christmas.

  • New Benevolent head named

    Published:  01 December, 2011

    The Wine & Spirit Trades’ Benevolent Society has appointed Paul Newman as its new chief executive.

  • WSTA announces interim head

    Published:  01 December, 2011

    WSTA communications director Gavin Partington will take over from chief executive Jeremy Beadles in an interim role while the body hunts for a permanent successor.

  • Brand Phoenix boosts low-alcohol

    Published:  01 December, 2011

    Brand Phoenix has pledged to cut 50 million units of alcohol from the market over the next three years by growing its low-alcohol Café Collection range and cutting abv levels across the rest of the First Cape portfolio.

  • Greene King takes brews to Brussels

    Published:  30 November, 2011

    Greene King has delivered a selection of East Anglian beers to Brussels for a meeting in which MEPs will discuss policy and issues.

  • Treasury creates fine wine unit

    Published:  29 November, 2011

    Treasury Wine Estates has launched a fine wine business unit for the UK and Ireland, aimed at boosting sales of its regional and premium wines.

  • Kraken sponsors Kitschies

    Published:  29 November, 2011

    The Kraken Black Spiced Rum is sponsoring the Kitschies – the alternative science fiction and fantasy writing awards.

  • Chancellor puts off fuel tax hike

    Published:  29 November, 2011

    A 3p hike in fuel duty will be deferred from January to August, Chancellor George Osborne has announced in his autumn statement. 

  • Macallan launches Facebook app

    Published:  29 November, 2011

    Maxxium UK has created a Facebook app that lets fans of The Macallan whisky create and share a “virtual dram”.

  • Kopparberg to double marketing

    Published:  25 November, 2011

    Kopparberg cider is to double its marketing spend in 2012 after its Find Kopparberg campaign led to a surge in sales of the brand.

  • McGuigan brings City Vineyard to Dublin

    Published:  25 November, 2011

    Australian Vintage is bringing its McGuigan City Vineyard installation to Dublin during summer 2012. The Australian winery said it will take members of the UK trade to the event, which represents a £250,000 investment.

  • Supermarkets slash spirits prices

    Published:  25 November, 2011

    Asda was offering bottles of Baileys for just £7 this week in the keenest supermarket deal on big-name spirit brands, as the last monthly pay day before Christmas approached.

  • Budvar beefs up brewing

    Published:  25 November, 2011

    Budweiser Budvar has invested £13 million in its Czech brewery to significantly increase production and packaging as it looks to widen the number of lines it offers.

  • Majestic trials TV ads

    Published:  25 November, 2011

    Majestic is broadcasting its first ever TV ads in a pilot scheme to attract supermarket wine shoppers.

  • International Gamay Competition launched

    Published:  24 November, 2011

    Inter Beaujolais has launched the second International Gamay Competition.

  • Luxardo pops its cherries

    Published:  23 November, 2011

    Cellar Trends has launched a jar of maraschino cherries marinated in sugar syrup and Luxardo Maraschino liqueur.

  • Accolade targets independent c-stores

    Published:  23 November, 2011

    Accolade Wines is to target independent convenience stores after research revealed they are coming under pressure from multiple rivals.

  • Wine Rack opens 21st shop

    Published:  22 November, 2011

    Wine Rack has opened a shop in Radlett, Hertfordshire – bringing its estate to 21 shops.

  • Scotland investigates minimum price impact

    Published:  22 November, 2011

    An Edinburgh university is to investigate what impact, if any, Scotland’s alcohol policies will have on its heaviest drinkers.

  • Ads and on-pack for Chivas

    Published:  22 November, 2011

    Pernod Ricard UK is backing its Chivas Regal Scotch whisky brand with outdoor advertising at high-footfall London sites, including Canary Wharf and locations in the City.

  • Aldi lists 40 Year Old single malt

    Published:  22 November, 2011

    Aldi claims it is the first UK supermarket to sell a 40-year-old single malt Scotch whisky in its stores.

  • Veuve Clicquot teams up with ENO

    Published:  21 November, 2011

    Veuve Clicquot Champagne has signed a three-year partnership deal with the English National Opera.

  • Accolade revamps Nottage Hill

    Published:  18 November, 2011

    Accolade Wines has given Hardys Nottage Hill a new look as part of a £4.5 million investment. 

  • Talisker sponsors Atlantic rowing race

    Published:  18 November, 2011

    Talisker Whisky has signed up as the title sponsor of rowing race the Atlantic Challenge.

  • Harris steps down from National Wine Month

    Published:  17 November, 2011

    Wine & Spirit Education Trust chief executive Ian Harris has stepped down as organiser of National Wine Month to concentrate his efforts on the educator's core activities.

  • Shoppers to help Oddbins pick Xmas case

    Published:  17 November, 2011

    Oddbins is enlisting the help of consumers to select a mixed case of wines for Christmas.

  • Butcombe launches ale with Adam Henson

    Published:  17 November, 2011

    Butcombe Brewery has teamed up with TV presenter Adam Henson to create a golden ale called Adam Henson’s Rare Breed.

  • Absolut releases freezer pack

    Published:  16 November, 2011

    Absolut Vodka has launched a gift pack designed to go in the freezer.

  • Bestway reviews own-label wines

    Published:  16 November, 2011

    Bestway has reviewed its own-label wine brand Cellar Estate and slimmed it down to 65 wines.

  • Tullamore Dew launches 12YO Special Reserve

    Published:  16 November, 2011

    First Drinks Brands has launched Tullamore Dew 12 Year Old Special Reserve – the whiskey’s best-selling variant worldwide – in the UK.

  • Peel-off labels from Off-Piste

    Published:  16 November, 2011

    Off-Piste Wines has launched a South African brand with a back label that peels off to show information about the region where the wines are grown.

  • SIBA announces award winners

    Published:  15 November, 2011

    Two breweries are celebrating after winning awards for their label designs sponsored by Off Licence News.

  • Profits up for Majestic

    Published:  15 November, 2011

    Majestic has grown pre-tax profits by 20% to £8.8 million in the half-year to September 26 – but saw like-for-like sales in shops drop for the six weeks after the period ended, it has reported.

  • TV ads for Jacob's Creek

    Published:  15 November, 2011

    Pernod Ricard UK has launched a five-week TV ad campaign for Jacob’s Creek.

  • Diageo launches Johnnie Walker Double Black

    Published:  15 November, 2011

    Diageo has launched a limited edition version of Johnnie Walker – Johnnie Walker Double Black.

  • Three Barrels offers £1,000 cash prize

    Published:  15 November, 2011

    First Drinks Brands is launching a neck collar campaign for Three Barrels, offering consumers the chance to win £1,000 as part of its Ultimate Moments marketing campaign.

  • Tobacco display ban could net indies £1bn

    Published:  11 November, 2011

    Independents stand to net £1 billion in sales when the tobacco display ban comes into force next year.

  • Sherry Institute slashes funding

    Published:  11 November, 2011

    The generic campaign for sherry in the UK has had its budget slashed this year – and its future is hanging in the balance as the Sherry Institute weighs up its options for 2012.

  • Beat fraudsters with WSTA guide

    Published:  11 November, 2011

    The Wine & Spirit Trade Association has produced a guide to buying wine to help prevent collectors and investors being ripped off by fraudsters.

  • Heavy weather forecast for retail trade

    Published:  11 November, 2011

    Stores are preparing themselves for a bleak Christmas as economic indicators show poor retail footfall and low consumer confidence.

  • Responsibility Deal under renewed fire

    Published:  11 November, 2011

    The drinks trade has defended the Responsibility Deal it struck with the government in spring, after the accord came under fire from the health lobby at a recent forum.

  • Grolsch poised to enter world beer market

    Published:  11 November, 2011

    Grolsch lager is in line for a repositioning exercise in 2012 to take it away from the mainstream premium lager category and into the world beers sector.

  • Teacher's launches Christmas gift pack

    Published:  10 November, 2011

    Maxxium UK has launched a gift carton for Teacher’s blended Scotch whisky – the brand’s first since 1988.

  • Naked Wines named online business of the year

    Published:  10 November, 2011

    Naked Wines has been named the UK’s Online Business of the Year at the National Business Awards 2011.

  • Trading slows as shoppers hold out for Christmas bargains

    Published:  10 November, 2011

    Supermarket trading slowed in October, suggesting that shoppers are holding off Christmas shopping in the hope of getting better deals closer to the festive season, according to Nielsen.

  • Wines of Chile names indie winners

    Published:  09 November, 2011

    Wines of Chile has announced the results of its second Independent Wine Merchants Awards. 

  • Ginger Joe makes TV debut

    Published:  09 November, 2011

    Alcoholic ginger beer Stone’s Ginger Joe is to make its TV debut this month.

  • Courvoisier runs Dickens tour

    Published:  09 November, 2011

    Courvoisier is running a walking tour that visits places in London associated with the author Charles Dickens, who is believed to have been a fan of the Cognac.

  • Martini launches 20cl sparklers

    Published:  08 November, 2011

    Martini has launched its sparkling wine range in 20cl bottles.

  • Three Choirs takes on Beaujolais Nouveau

    Published:  08 November, 2011

    English winery Three Choirs Vineyards has produced the first English wine from the 2011 harvest.

  • Below-cost sales to be banned from April

    Published:  08 November, 2011

    The government will ban the sale of alcohol below cost in England and Wales from April 2012, it has announced.

  • Portman Group bans Stiffy's

    Published:  08 November, 2011

    The Portman Group has banned the sale of Stiffy’s Jaffa Cake and Kola Kubez vodka liqueurs after a complaint that the name was a sexual reference.

  • Bancroft Wines signs up Croatia's Matosevic

    Published:  07 November, 2011

    Bancroft Wines has signed up Croatian producer Matošević, and is now its exclusive UK agent. 

  • TV ads for Savanna cider

    Published:  07 November, 2011

    Savanna cider is running a TV ad campaign this month after a successful burst of advertising in the summer.

  • Peter Lehmann rebrands

    Published:  07 November, 2011

    The Peter Lehmann range of wines from Australia’s Barossa Valley has been revamped for the first time since it launched 30 years ago.

  • Global wine trade agrees emissions calculating system

    Published:  07 November, 2011

    The wine trade has agreed on an international system for calculating carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions.

  • Moët sponsors ATP tennis tour

    Published:  04 November, 2011

    Moët & Chandon has been signed up as the official Champagne of the tennis ATP World Tour.

  • Oddbins puts customer-priced wines on shelf

    Published:  04 November, 2011

    Oddbins has put three wines priced by its customers in a blind tasting on shelves today (November 4).

  • OLN's Atkin relaunches website

    Published:  04 November, 2011

    OLN’s Tim Atkin MW has relaunched his website.

  • Fuller's releases seasonal stout

    Published:  03 November, 2011

    Fuller’s has launched a seasonal stout on draught, and plans to bottle it next year.

  • Sud de France to hold organic tasting

    Published:  03 November, 2011

    Generic body Sud de France is to hold an organic and biodynamic wine tasting this month.

  • Minimum pricing 'probably legal'

    Published:  02 November, 2011

    Scotland’s move to introduce minimum unit pricing on alcohol is “probably legal”, according to the government’s public health head Donald Henderson.

  • WSTA boss heads to Heineken

    Published:  02 November, 2011

    Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) chief executive Jeremy Beadles is to leave his post to join Heineken UK.

  • Sogrape buys Stevens Garnier

    Published:  01 November, 2011

    Stevens Garnier has been bought by Portugal-based producer Sogrape and has appointed a new managing director.

  • Minimum pricing would punish consumers: WSTA

    Published:  01 November, 2011

    Minimum pricing in Scotland would punish consumers already struggling in today’s tough economic climate, the Wine & Spirit Trade Association has said.

  • Scotland introduces minimum alcohol price bill

    Published:  01 November, 2011

    The Scottish government has introduced its bill to create a minimum price for alcohol.

  • No consumers at wine fair

    Published:  28 October, 2011

    Brintex has ruled out allowing consumers to visit the London International Wine Fair next year after a consultation with the trade.

  • Wine Rack will not reach target

    Published:  28 October, 2011

    Wine Rack will fall short of its planned target of reaching 30 stores by the end of 2010.

  • Low alcohol market hits 1 million mark

    Published:  28 October, 2011

    Low and no-alcohol wine sales are growing rapidly from a small base and getting close to 1 million cases, according to the latest figures from Nielsen.

  • Relaunched Oddbins eyes expansion

    Published:  28 October, 2011

    The newly relaunched Oddbins chain is exploring sites as it considers expanding next year. 

  • Minimum alcohol pricing "probably illegal"

    Published:  27 October, 2011

    Minimum unit pricing on alcohol is “probably illegal”, public health minister Anne Milton has said.

  • Carlsberg UK's Sheps to leave

    Published:  27 October, 2011

    Carlsberg UK chief executive Isaac Sheps is leaving to take over leadership of the brewer’s Russian business, Baltika, and its eastern European operations.

  • Nicolas gears up for wine fair

    Published:  27 October, 2011

    Nicolas is gearing up for its annual wine and spirits fair on November 11-12.

  • Comedian has Joly time in Bordeaux

    Published:  27 October, 2011

    The Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux has teamed up with comedian Dom Joly to produce a series of videos.

  • Lindeman's adds New Zealand Sauvignon

    Published:  26 October, 2011

    Lindeman’s has added a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc to its international Winemaker’s Discovery range.

  • Linton Park rebrands range for UK launch

    Published:  26 October, 2011

    South African winery Linton Park has rebranded its Louis Fourie 1699 range for the UK market, and will be launching it with new agent Chalié Richards next month.

  • Mont Tauch releases 'sustainable' Fitou

    Published:  25 October, 2011

    Mont Tauch has launched a sustainably produced single vineyard Fitou in Marks & Spencer. 

  • Off-trade beer sales up: BBPA

    Published:  25 October, 2011

    Off-trade beer sales grew 9.1% in the last quarter, according to the latest report by the BBPA.

  • Free Run Wines launches Rueda range

    Published:  24 October, 2011

    Free Run Wines and Felix Solis Avantis have launched a range of Spanish whites from Rueda. 

  • Judy Halewood to chair Lambrini company

    Published:  24 October, 2011

    The widow of the late John Halewood is to take over as chair of the company that bears his name.

  • Alcohol consumption keeps declining: Portman Group

    Published:  21 October, 2011

    Alcohol consumption continues to decline – in a trend that has been continuing since the early to mid-2000s, according to the Portman Group’s first annual report.

  • Heineken to sponsor 2015 Rugby World Cup

    Published:  21 October, 2011

    Heineken has extended its sponsorship of the Rugby World Cup to remain its official beer supplier and worldwide partner for the 2015 tournament in England.

  • Diageo wine head nominated as new WSTA boss

    Published:  20 October, 2011

    Diageo Wines Europe managing director Nick Hyde has been nominated as the new chairman of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association.

  • Halewood International founder dies

    Published:  18 October, 2011

    John Halewood of Halewood International has died. He passed away on October 15.

  • Drinkaware and Mumsnet target parents

    Published:  18 October, 2011

    Drinkaware has teamed up with parenting website mumsnet.com to target parents of pre-teens in a bid to put off the age when children have their first drink.

  • Sun boosts drinks sales

    Published:  14 October, 2011

    September’s record-breaking temperatures have given the drinks sector a huge boost, pepping up a tough summer for sales.

  • Sainsbury's new BWS head is all about quality

    Published:  14 October, 2011

    Sainsbury’s new BWS chief has pledged to deliver more consistency across its retail channels and put a greater emphasis on consumer needs.

  • City likes niche retailers says Majestic's Lewis

    Published:  14 October, 2011

    Drinks retailers remain attractive investment prospects despite the economic conditions, according to Majestic’s chief executive Steve Lewis.

  • Wine focus for Little Waitrose

    Published:  14 October, 2011

    Waitrose will be making its drinks range as diverse and premium as possible as it rolls out its Little Waitrose smaller-format convenience stores.

  • Festive campaign for Stone's

    Published:  12 October, 2011

    Accolade Wines has launched an off-trade push for Stone’s Original ginger wine in the run-up to Christmas.

  • Brains Dark gets Halloween push

    Published:  11 October, 2011

    Brains Dark is running an off-trade Halloween promotion, after a similar push last year brought a 30% sales uplift.

  • Greenall's signs TV deal

    Published:  11 October, 2011

    Greenall’s has signed the first TV deal in its 250-year history.

  • Brewdog launches beer made on the sea floor

    Published:  11 October, 2011

    Brewdog’s latest off-the-wall contribution to the beer world is an IPA brewed under the North Sea.

  • ISC trophies announced

    Published:  11 October, 2011

    The winners of the International Spirits Challenge trophies have been announced.

  • New members for CAP board

    Published:  11 October, 2011

    Eight new members have joined the board overseeing the roll-out of Community Alcohol Partnerships around the country.

  • Portman seeks new panel members

    Published:  10 October, 2011

    The Portman Group is looking for two new members to join its independent complaints panel.

  • New look for Cobra beer

    Published:  10 October, 2011

    Cobra beer is being given a brand redesign later this month.

  • Cono Sur cooks up recipe book promotion

    Published:  10 October, 2011

    Cono Sur Chilean wine is offering a free recipe book by chef Paul Merrett in an on-pack promotion on its Bicycle range.

  • Limited edition pack for Grand Marnier

    Published:  10 October, 2011

    Diageo is to supply a limited edition Grand Marnier bottle to luxury retailers and selected wholesalers until December.

  • Ad push for Diageo's pre-mix range

    Published:  07 October, 2011

    Diageo is set to launch a multimedia campaign to boost sales of its pre-mix range and encourage consumers to drink the cans on week nights.

  • Gang leader jailed for £1.8m duty fraud

    Published:  06 October, 2011

    The leader of a gang which evaded £1.8 million in excise duty has been sentenced to more than five years in prison.

  • New look for Bud cans

    Published:  06 October, 2011

    Budweiser has revamped its cans, with a red “bow tie” sitting behind the Budweiser logo on the new-look version.

  • Drinkaware creates programme for schools

    Published:  03 October, 2011

    Drinkaware has launched a programme to teach primary and secondary schoolchildren life skills, in a bid to stop them abusing alcohol when they get older.

  • 'Retail decline stable' – CBI

    Published:  28 September, 2011

    The volume of retail sales in September is lower than a year ago, but the pace of decline has stabilised says business organisation the CBI.

  • O'Flynn to head Pernod Ricard UK

    Published:  27 September, 2011

    Pernod Ricard has appointed Denis O’Flynn as managing director of its UK business.

  • Ad campaign for Campo Viejo

    Published:  21 September, 2011

    Pernod Ricard UK is to advertise its Campo Viejo Rioja brand in print media for the first time in three years.

  • SAB Miller to buy Foster's beer group

    Published:  21 September, 2011

    SAB Miller has agreed to buy Australia’s Foster's beer business in a deal which values the company at A$11.5 billion.

  • Hunter takes PLB wine brands role

    Published:  21 September, 2011

    Wine supplier PLB has appointed Willem Hunter as brand manager for its Viña Ventisquero and Yali Chilean wines, Spier from South Africa and California’s Sutter Home and Trinchero Family Vineyards.

  • CWE to launch Mount Rozier wines

    Published:  21 September, 2011

    Cape Wine Exporters plans to launch its Mount Rozier brand in the UK market in 2012.

  • Ashworth is new Portman boss

    Published:  21 September, 2011

    The Portman Group has appointed Henry Ashworth as its new chief executive officer.

  • Litherland fills new Britvic role

    Published:  19 September, 2011

    Former Diageo GB boss Simon Litherland has been appointed managing director of Britvic Soft Drinks, the GB arm of Britvic plc.

  • Carling TV campaign hits screens today

    Published:  16 September, 2011

    A new TV campaign for Carling starts today as part of a £7.3 million investment in the brand by Molson Coors.

  • Relaunch for Botany Creek

    Published:  15 September, 2011

    Halewood International is relaunching its Botany Creek British light wine brand.

  • Somerset cider brandy wins protected status

    Published:  15 September, 2011

    Somerset cider brandy has been given Protected Geographical Identification status by the EU after a trade campaign backed by the Wine & Spirit Trade Association and the UK government.

  • Scottish government confirms minimum pricing plans

    Published:  07 September, 2011

    The Scottish Government has confirmed that it will introduce its Alcohol Minimum Pricing Bill this autumn.

  • Fast Show returns in Foster's deal

    Published:  07 September, 2011

    The Fast Show is the latest comedy classic to be resurrected by Foster’s.

  • £1m depot opening for Soho Cash & Carry

    Published:  07 September, 2011

    West Midlands-based Soho Cash & Carry is opening a new depot in the Smethwick district of Birmingham on Friday, September 9.

  • Sainsbury's Yates becomes a Master of Wine

    Published:  06 September, 2011

    Sainsbury’s winemaker Clem Yates is one of 11 new Masters of Wine.

  • Aspall to hand out apples at Harvest festival

    Published:  06 September, 2011

    Aspall has been named sponsor and sole cider supplier to the Harvest 2011 food and music festival.

  • Retail sales fell in August says BRC

    Published:  06 September, 2011

    UK retail sales fell 0.6% on a like-for-like basis in August, according to the British Retail Consortium.

  • V-Kat in student TV ad push

    Published:  05 September, 2011

    Intercontinental Brands is to advertise its V-Kat schnapps brand on the university TV network SubTV.

  • £6m bio-energy investment at Diageo distillery complex

    Published:  02 September, 2011

    Diageo is spending £6 million on a state-of-the-art bio-energy plant at its Glenlossie distillery complex in Speyside.

  • Interactive poster ads for Foster's Gold

    Published:  02 September, 2011

    Foster’s Gold lager is claiming an advertising first with a digital poster campaign that will allow users to upload content directly to Facebook.

  • 'Bargain Booze up for sale' - report

    Published:  01 September, 2011

    A report in the Independent newspaper suggests that a buyer is being sought for Bargain Booze.

  • Common sense call on Scottish drink window displays

    Published:  01 September, 2011

    The Scottish Grocers’ Federation has called for local authorities to take a common sense approach to the country’s new laws on pricing and promotions.

  • Fuller's releases new barrel-aged beer

    Published:  11 August, 2011

    Fuller’s has launched the third in its series of Brewer’s Reserve barrel-aged beers.

  • Redesign for Badger ale range

    Published:  11 August, 2011

    Hall & Woodhouse is redesigning its entire of Badger bottled beers.

  • Cameron outlines aid package for retailers affected by riots

    Published:  11 August, 2011

    The Prime Minster has suspended liability for business rates for shops affected by the riots in English towns and cities this week.

  • HMRC offers help to riot victims

    Published:  11 August, 2011

    HM Revenue & Customs says it will be flexible on tax payments for businesses facing short-term financial difficulty because of this week’s riots.

  • Bag-in-box move boosts sales at Sainsbury's

    Published:  11 August, 2011

    Sainsbury’s says it has seen a 5.5% rise in sales of bag-in-box wine since moving its entire range to a 2.25-litre format.

  • 'Suspend NI and rates for riot-hit shops' – BRC

    Published:  11 August, 2011

    The British Retail Consortium has called on the government to suspend business rates and National Insurance for businesses affected by this week’s riots in urban England.

  • Football effect knocks AB Inbev volumes

    Published:  11 August, 2011

    AB Inbev saw its UK beer volumes drop 16% in the second quarter of 2011. The fall reflects a spike in sales in the comparable period last year caused by the football World Cup, of which the company’s Budweiser brand was a main sponsor.

  • Retail group seeks riot help from Home Office

    Published:  09 August, 2011

    The British Retail Consortium is to ask the Home Secretary Theresa May for immediate support to help shopkeepers protect their properties in the wake of the disturbances in London and other cities.

  • Riot-hit retailers advised to move quickly on insurance

    Published:  09 August, 2011

    Retailers affected by rioting in London and other major cities in recent days are being urged to act quickly to make insurance claims.

  • 'Act to prevent spending paralysis' – BRC

    Published:  09 August, 2011

    The British Retail Consortium says action is needed to prevent “spending paralysis” after a modest rise in retail sales in July.

  • Bols launches cocktail foams

    Published:  09 August, 2011

    A range of ready-made foams for adding a twist to cocktails has been developed by Bols.

  • Riot advice: put personal safety first

    Published:  09 August, 2011

    Shops have been urged to put the safety of staff first and pull up the shutters up if any doubt, after rioting and looting spread from London to other major cities across the UK.

  • Grant's releases two can pre-mixes

    Published:  08 August, 2011

    Canned pre-mixes of Grant’s Scotch whisky with cola and with ginger are being introduced by First Drinks.

  • Halewood launches Lazy Jacks RTD

    Published:  08 August, 2011

    Halewood International has launched a rum-based, ginger-flavoured RTD aimed at young male adults.

  • De Vere sells Greenalls gin

    Published:  08 August, 2011

    The De Vere hospitality group has sold its Greenalls gin business to a private equity-backed management team.

  • Wine Gang adds Edinburgh date

    Published:  05 August, 2011

    The wine writers’ collective known as The Wine Gang is to add a second Christmas Wine Fair for consumers.

  • Mount Gay sampling at Cowes Week

    Published:  05 August, 2011

    Mount Gay rum is to carry out sampling and other promotional activity during next week's Cowes Week regatta.

  • Campari buys Sagatiba cachaça

    Published:  04 August, 2011

    Italian spirits manufacturer Campari has brought the privately-owned cachaça brand Sagatiba for €18 million.

  • Clay to release Schneider wheat beer special

    Published:  04 August, 2011

    German wheat beer brewer Schneider is launching a limited edition bottle-fermented beer in the UK.

  • TV ad plan for Lambrini

    Published:  04 August, 2011

    Halewood International is to advertise Lambrini on national TV from August 28 to September 18.

  • Gonzalez Byass grabs Wirra Wirra agency

    Published:  28 July, 2011

    Gonzalez Byass UK is to add the Australian winery Wirra Wirra to is agency portfolio from September 1.

  • Aspall adds Imperial to its range

    Published:  28 July, 2011

    Suffolk cider firm Aspall is launching a top-of-the range, 8.2% abv product called Imperial.

  • Martell to give away a house

    Published:  27 July, 2011

    Martell Cognac is giving consumers the chance to win a house in the region in an on-pack promotion.

  • Thwaites to build new brewery

    Published:  26 July, 2011

    Lancashire brewer Daniel Thwaites has announced plans to sell its current site to Sainsbury’s and build a state-of-the art brewery at another location.

  • Football-free summer hits beer sales

    Published:  26 July, 2011

    The absence of a major football tournament from this summer’s calendar has put a big dent in off-trade beer sales.

  • New test for fake whisky

    Published:  26 July, 2011

    A method for distinguishing between authentic and counterfeit Scotch whisky brand has been devised by scientists at the University of Strathclyde. 

  • Holly Valance to front Foster's Gold campaign

    Published:  25 July, 2011

    Former Neighbours actress Holly Valance is to be the star of a TV and print ad campaign for Heineken UK’s new Foster’s Gold lager.

  • Barwell & Jones to take Morandé agency

    Published:  25 July, 2011

    Barwell & Jones is to handle UK distribution of Chile’s Viña Morandé wine brand from July 25.

  • Caipirinha pre-mix heads for UK

    Published:  23 July, 2011

    A pre-mixed caipirinha cocktail is making an assault on the UK market.

  • Staropramen to join Carlsberg portfolio

    Published:  21 July, 2011

    Distribution of the Czech lager Staropramen is to be taken on by Carlsberg UK.

  • Mobiles drive retail internet search growth

    Published:  18 July, 2011

    The number of consumers searching for retail products on internet search engines increased by 27% in the second quarter of 2011.

  • Illegal distillery theory after five die in explosion

    Published:  14 July, 2011

    Five people have been killed in an explosion and fire on a Lincolnshire industrial estate in an incident which it’s been reported may have been caused by an illegal vodka distillery.

  • Global art campaign for Absolut

    Published:  13 July, 2011

    Absolut vodka is to launch a global campaign consisting of collaborations with 18 rising stars in the visual arts world.

  • Global art campaign for Absolut

    Published:  13 July, 2011

    Absolut vodka is to launch a global campaign consisting of collaborations with 18 rising stars in the visual arts world.

  • London raids net counterfeit wine

    Published:  12 July, 2011

    Trading Standards officers in the London Borough of Hillingdon have seized large amounts of counterfeit alcohol from local businesses in a four-day operation.

  • Fake Smirnoff seized in Barnsley

    Published:  12 July, 2011

    Council officials in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, have issued a warning about bottles of counterfeit Smirnoff vodka.

  • Pernod Ricard and AA launch summer campaign against drink-driving

    Published:  12 July, 2011

    Pernod Ricard UK and motoring organisation the AA are launching the second phase of their joint anti-drink driving consumer marketing campaign.

  • June sales 'better but not great' – BRC

    Published:  12 July, 2011

    The British Retail Consortium says retail sales rallied in June but were still “not great”.

  • White rum joins Brugal range

    Published:  11 July, 2011

    Maxxium UK is adding a white rum to its Brugal portfolio.

  • Miller Brands boss heads to Meantime

    Published:  11 July, 2011

    The managing director of Miller Brands UK, Nick Miller, is leaving the global giant to take up the role of CEO at London craft brewery Meantime.

  • New boss for Pernod Ricard UK

    Published:  07 July, 2011

    On the same day that Diageo announced a new boss for its GB business, rival Pernod Ricard UK has appointed a new managing director for its UK business.

  • Cowan bags Diageo GB country director role

    Published:  07 July, 2011

    Diageo has appointed Andrew Cowan as its country director for GB.

  • Lane offers support service for producers

    Published:  07 July, 2011

    A former Sainsbury’s wine buyer has set up a new consultancy business to help overseas wineries establish themselves in the UK market.

  • Tesco revamps wine aisle

    Published:  06 July, 2011

    Tesco is revamping the look of its wine aisles after carrying out its largest ever piece of wine consumer research.

  • Portman raps Kronenbourg over music promotion

    Published:  04 July, 2011

    Heineken UK has been rapped by marketing watchdog the Portman Group after a song called Too Drunk to F*** appeared in a playlist in a Kronenbourg 1664 promotion on the Spotify music streaming service.

  • Retailers celebrate Independents' Day

    Published:  04 July, 2011

    Consumers are being urged to buy at least one item from an independent store today to celebrate diversity in the high street.

  • Off-trade launch for Bacardi cocktails

    Published:  04 July, 2011

    Bacardi has launched its Bacardi Originals range of ready-to-serve cocktails in the off-trade.

  • Glasgow to get tough on alcohol problems

    Published:  29 June, 2011

    A new multi-agency group has been set up in Glasgow to tackle anti-social behaviour caused by excessive drinking.

  • Ian Macleod buys Tamdhu

    Published:  29 June, 2011

    Ian Macleod Distillers has bought the Speyside distillery Tamdhu from the Edrington Group.

  • On-pack style prize for Maker's Mark

    Published:  29 June, 2011

    Maker’s Mark bourbon will be offering consumers the chance to win a £5,000 “style allowance” in its first UK on-pack offer from August.

  • Big bottle launch for Quilmes

    Published:  29 June, 2011

    Morgenrot is launching a 97cl sharing bottle for its Quilmes Argentine lager.

  • Sainsbury's names Beer Hunt winners

    Published:  28 June, 2011

    Sainsbury’s has named the regional finalists in its Great British Beer Hunt competition.

  • Wray & Nephew UK adds Bulldog gin

    Published:  26 June, 2011

    The specialist rum distributor J Wray & Nephew UK has added the Bulldog gin brand to its portfolio.

  • Another beer price glitch hits Tesco

    Published:  24 June, 2011

    A second EOPS error in three weeks has brought chaos to the beer aisles in some Tesco stores.

  • 'Tax forcing up drink prices' – WSTA report

    Published:  17 June, 2011

    The Wine & Spirit Association says record tax increases are driving alcohol prices up across the board.

  • Diageo to fund alcohol training for midwives

    Published:  13 June, 2011

    Diageo is to fund training for midwives to help educate expectant mothers about the risks of alcohol to their unborn child.

  • 'Online drinks sales up 55%' – Capgemini

    Published:  20 May, 2011

    Online alcohol sales in April were up 20% on March, and 55% ahead of April 2010, as a result of the royal wedding.

  • More Oddbins stores for sale

    Published:  19 May, 2011

    A further 29 closed Oddbins stores across the country are being marketed for sale by Christie & Co.

  • Minimum pricing guaranteed: Beadles

    Published:  18 May, 2011

    Legislation to bring in minimum pricing is a certainty in Scotland, WSTA chief executive Jeremy Beadles has said.

  • UK drinkers want traditional labels

    Published:  17 May, 2011

    UK wine drinkers think traditional wine labels with pictures of vineyards and chateaux and a font with lots of flourishes are most attractive - but are more likely to buy wines with much simpler labels, Wine Intelligence has revealed.

  • WSTA sets up fraud prevention unit

    Published:  13 May, 2011

    The Wine & Spirit Trade Association is to launch a fraud prevention unit.

  • Retail administrations soar says Deloitte report

    Published:  05 May, 2011

    The number of retail companies going into administration increased by 30% in the first quarter of the year, according to a report by business advisory firm Deloitte.

  • 'Retail conditions still tough' - CBI

    Published:  04 May, 2011

    High street sales volumes rose in April but the pace of growth remains “subdued” according to the employers' organisation the CBI.

  • Foster's shareholders confirm wine and beer demerger

    Published:  29 April, 2011

    Shareholders in Australia’s Foster’s Group have approved the protracted demerger of its wine and beer businesses.

  • EFB confirms Oddbins store package

    Published:  26 April, 2011

    European Food Brokers has confirmed the acquisition of 37 Oddbins stores from administrator Deloitte.

  • 'EFB buys 37 Oddbins stores' – reports

    Published:  26 April, 2011

    There are unconfirmed reports that 37 Oddbins stores have been bought by European Food Brokers, the Midlands-based owner of the Whittalls Wines chain, for around £4 million.

  • Four jailed in fake tobacco plot

    Published:  04 April, 2011

    Four men have been jailed for conspiring to cheat the public revenue after setting up a counterfeit tobacco factory.

  • Brighton rejects Sainsbury's licence plan

    Published:  01 April, 2011

    Sainsbury’s has been refused a licence at a controversial new store in Brighton.

  • HMRC rejects Oddbins rescue plan

    Published:  31 March, 2011

    The Oddbins rescue plan – being considered by creditors in London this morning – is under serious threat after being rejected by HM Revenue & Customs.

  • HMRC rejects Oddbins rescue plan

    Published:  31 March, 2011

    The Oddbins rescue plan – being considered by creditors in London this morning – is under serious threat after being rejected by HM Revenue & Customs.

  • Oddbins downgrades payout estimate

    Published:  30 March, 2011

    Accountancy firm Deloitte has revised downwards the projected dividend that would be received by Oddbins creditors if the company enters administration.

  • UK drinks apply for European status

    Published:  28 March, 2011

    Four styles of British alcohol are hoping to gain European recognition with protected name status.

  • Oddbins applies for administration

    Published:  25 March, 2011

    Oddbins has applied to the courts go into administration to stave off winding-up orders from creditors ahead of next Thursday's meeting to vote on a proposed company voluntary arrangement.

  • Call for entries from franchisors

    Published:  24 March, 2011

    Nominations for the BFA HSBC Franchisor of the Year Awards close on March 31, and “innovative and entrepreneurial franchisors that have excelled in 2010” are being asked to send in entries.

  • Call for entries from franchisors

    Published:  24 March, 2011

    Nominations for the BFA HSBC Franchisor of the Year Awards close on March 31, and “innovative and entrepreneurial franchisors that have excelled in 2010” are being asked to send in entries.

  • Alcohol pricing contributes to 'apocalypse'

    Published:  24 March, 2011

    Scotland could be heading for an “apocalypse” if it does not tackle its issues with alcohol consumption, according to one of the country’s leading legal figures.

  • Osborne: no change on duty

    Published:  23 March, 2011

    Chancellor George Osborne has announced he will stick to an alcohol duty increase of 7.2% in today's Budget.

  • Budget speech for alcohol and tobacco

    Published:  23 March, 2011

    The Chancellor's speech covering the government's plans for tobacco and alcohol duty in full.

  • Budget responses

    Published:  23 March, 2011

    The National Association of Cider Makers, Diageo and the ACS have reacted to the Budget announced this afternoon.

  • Diageo in frame for Jose Cuervo bid

    Published:  21 March, 2011

    There is heavy speculation that Diageo could make a US$2 billion bid for tequila brand Jose Cuervo.

  • New members for complaints panel

    Published:  21 March, 2011

    Two new members have joined the Independent Complaints Panel – the independent body that looks at complaints about irresponsible alcohol marketing made under the Portman Group’s Code of Practice.

  • Makeover for Blue Nun

    Published:  21 March, 2011

    Blue Nun is embarking on another relaunch, with a reformulated version of its flagship blend and new packaging.

  • Drink-drive limit remains unchanged

    Published:  21 March, 2011

    The government has announced a fresh crackdown on drink-driving, but stopped short of lowering the blood/alcohol limit for motorists.

  • 'Duty rise to hit smuggling fight' – TMA

    Published:  20 March, 2011

    The Tobacco Manufacturers Association has said expected duty rises in Wednesday’s Budget will undermine efforts to curb smuggling.

  • Pernod Ricard suspends Malibu distribution

    Published:  18 March, 2011

    Pernod Ricard UK has suspended distribution of Malibu after a fault was found affecting the flavour of some stocks.

  • Funding for fake whisky detector

    Published:  18 March, 2011

    Researchers at the University of Leicester are working on a hand held device to detect fake wine and whisky through the bottle.

  • Oddbins latest: HMRC is owed £8.6 million

    Published:  16 March, 2011

    Documents relating to the proposed company voluntary arrangement for beleaguered wine chain Oddbins show it owes HM Revenue & Customs £8.6 million in duty, VAT and PAYE.

  • CAP takes on new recruit

    Published:  15 March, 2011

    There are now more than 35 Community Alcohol Partnership schemes around the country and the project has proved so popular that it is recruiting a second full-time employee.

  • Drinks trade welcomes Responsibility Deal

    Published:  15 March, 2011

    Drinks trade leaders say they can play a key part in creating a responsible drinking culture in the UK.

  • Health lobby shuns drinks industry pledges

    Published:  14 March, 2011

    Six organisations representing the health lobby on alcohol issues have confirmed that they have refused to sign up to a series of proposed pledges to be made by drinks retailers and suppliers arising form the government’s responsibility deal.

  • Heineken to reduce alcohol in major brand

    Published:  14 March, 2011

    Heineken UK has pledged to reduce the abv content of one of its major drinks brands by 2013 as part of the drinks industry’s responsibility deal with the government.

  • Record low for Portman complaints

    Published:  11 March, 2011

    Complaints about irresponsible alcohol marketing have reached a record low thanks to marketing people “seeking more advice than ever before”.

  • Diageo GB expands premix range

    Published:  11 March, 2011

    Diageo Great Britain has announced a new addition to its range of premixed drinks: Smirnoff Vodka and Diet Cola.

  • Oddbins seeks deal with creditors

    Published:  11 March, 2011

    Oddbins is to seek to enter a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) in a bid to allow the chain to carry on trading.

  • Eisberg capitalises on Lent abstinence

    Published:  10 March, 2011

    More people are giving up chocolate for Lent than alcohol, according to a survey commissioned by Eisberg.

  • Russia and Lebanon to feature at London wine fair

    Published:  10 March, 2011

    Russia and Lebanon will have a bigger presence than ever at this year’s London International Wine Fair.

  • First African design for Taittinger series

    Published:  10 March, 2011

    Senegalese artist Amadou Sow has created the latest limited edition bottle for the Taittinger Collection Champagne range.

  • Tobacco display ban announced

    Published:  09 March, 2011

    The government has announced it will press ahead with a tobacco display ban.

  • Rioja reports increase in sales

    Published:  09 March, 2011

    Rioja imports to the UK soared by 23% last year, according to the Consejo Regulador.

  • Room is new head Caballero

    Published:  09 March, 2011

    Waitrose buyer Nick Room has been named chairman of the Gran Orden de Caballeros, the body which honours people who promote Spanish wine in the UK.

  • Drinks seized from Morecambe shops

    Published:  08 March, 2011

    Beer, spirits and cigarettes have been seized from shops in the Lancashire town of Morecambe.

  • Like-for-like retail sales fell in February – BRC

    Published:  08 March, 2011

    February retail sales values were down 0.4% on a like-for-like basis over the same month in 2010, according to British Retail Consortium figures.

  • Northern Ireland consults on minimum pricing proposals

    Published:  07 March, 2011

    A formal consultation on minimum pricing for alcohol has been launched in Northern Ireland.

  • Scotch industry backs Earth Hour

    Published:  07 March, 2011

    The Scotch Whisky Association is supporting the WWF’s Earth Hour initiative, which aims to make a stand against climate change.

  • Oddbins to close 39 stores

    Published:  07 March, 2011

    Oddbins is to close 39 store as part of a strategic review.

  • Portman rap for Asda over cider

    Published:  04 March, 2011

    Asda has been found in breach of the Portman Group’s code of practice over the labelling of an own-label cider.