Asahi Europe and International (AEI) has announced the acquisition of Octopi Brewing, with plans to brew Asahi Super Dry in the US for the first time.

Altamura Distilleries has introduced Lorenzo Di Cola, formerly of the Experimental Cocktail Club group, to its team as international head of brand across all key global markets, including Italy, the US, UK and India.

Absolut expands its product portfolio as the company’s global NPD plans this year include two new product ranges and a new addition to its current flavour vodka range.

Pernod Ricard USA has announced the acquisition of a majority stake in peanut butter-flavored American whiskey brand Skrewball.

Spiribam, the division that oversees the spirits activities of the GBH family group, has signed a distribution partnership with Cognac Hardy in the US.

Fercullen Irish Whiskey from the Powerscourt Estate will now be available across the US as a result of a new distribution partnership with Zamora Company USA.

Campari Group has announced it has reached an agreement to purchase an initial 70% interest, and in 2031 the remaining 30% interest, of the outstanding capital of Wilderness Trail Distillery, LLC.

G’Vine gin, the French gin made with grapes, has announced Fred Sirieix as their first ever UK ambassador.

Rampur Distillery has announced the launch of Jugalbandi, a series of eight Indian single malt cask strength whiskies, with the first two set to be unveiled at Whisky Live in Paris.

French Brandy company, St-Rémy, is celebrating the success of its St-Rémy Signature which launched in 2020 and is showing growth in its pioneering markets of Canada, USA and Australia, as it continues to expand into new markets.

Masahiro Urushido of Katana Kitten in New York City has been named the Altos Bartenders' Bartender at the inaugural North America's 50 Best Bars awards.

New York City’s Overstory has been announced as the winner of the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award ahead of the inaugural North America’s 50 Best Bars ceremony on 7 June.

Sales in the first nine months of 2021 of sparkling wines made under the protection of the DO Cava have increased by 16.45% on the same period in 2020.

Amber Beverage Group (ABG) has reported that net revenues in 2020 remained at 2019 levels despite an 8.4% drop in volumes due to the global pandemic.

Jagermeister Scholarship, a programme that traditionally gives young bartenders the chance of a three-month internship in Berlin’s bars, will be hosted digitally for the second year running.

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

According to the Champagne Bureau USA, the exports of champagne to the US fell almost 19% in 2020 year-on-year.

Leading Chilean wine producer Concha y Toro increased net profit by 48.6% to Ch$77,994 million (US$107.4 million) in 2020.

Pernod Ricard sales for H1 FY21 have shown an organic decline of -3.9% on the previous year largely due to the ongoing struggles of travel retail.

Drinks International caught up with Naked Wines’ chief financial officer James Crawford to discuss the firm’s impressive H1 results.

Strong demand in the UK and China allowed Australia to increase wine exports by 4% during the 12 months to September 30.

Resilient off-trade sales in the USA and Europe helped Pernod Ricard rally during the first quarter of fiscal 2021.

The Glenturret has unveiled a new core range as it plans to launch in the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and New Zealand next month.

Leading Chilean wine producer Concha y Toro has reported that Q2 consolidated sales grew 16.5% in difficult trading conditions.

Zamora Company USA has bolstered its spirits portfolio with the addition of Filipino rum brand Don Papa.

Bordeaux winemakers are pulling out all the stops in a bid to present the trade with an en primeur campaign amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Rye whiskey producer Templeton Rye has announced plans to open a new distillery in Iowa, US.

The Wine and Spirit Education Trust will host the first WSET Week USA from May 1-7, 2017.

Danish bartender Nick Kobbernagel Hovind was named global winner of the Peter F. Heering Sling Awards at the Ritz Carlton, Berlin.

Susanne Stauß takes a closer look at the global sparkling wine market

Bacardi has named Team USA winners of the 42 Below Cocktail World Cup 2012, which took place at the vodka brand's home, New Zealand.

Heineken USA has announced the appointment of Colin Westcott-Pitt as vice president of marketing, effective immediately.

Pernod Ricard USA has extended the flavoured range of its Seagram's Gin brand with the addition of Pineapple Twisted.

Pernod Ricard USA will launch Malibu Melon Margarita in May, an addition to its off-trade-focused Malibu Cocktails pre-mixed range.

The scotch whisky category belied global economic instability in 2011 by growing sales value 23% to a record £4.2billion.

Pernod Ricard has announced the launch of Malibu Sunshine, a citrus edition of the rum and coconut liqueur.

Heineken USA has appointed Brian Fried as regional vice president sales, western region, effective immediately.

Global business consultancy McKinney Rogers has appointed a former Bacardi USA president to its board.

Pernod Ricard USA has announced the appointment of Southern Wine & Spirits of America as its spirits and wine distributor in the state of Washington.

US consumption of imported sparkling wine will reach new heights in 2012 due to the increased penetration of prosecco and cava, says Wine Intelligence. 

Pernod Ricard will release Irish whiskey Redbreast 12 Cask Strength to the US in February, following the expression’s September launch to Ireland, Germany and France.

Pernod Ricard has furthered its line of Absolut Vodka flavours with the launch of Miami and Gräpevine to the US market.

Direct Wines, the world's largest independent wine merchant with a turnover of £350 million, has announced major changes to its buying and merchandising teams.

Pernod Ricard USA has announced a tie-up with US R&B artist Ne-Yo for the launch of Malibu Red, a liqueur made from rum and tequila. 

Drambuie has reported operating profits of £2.81m – up 2% on last year.

The Institute of Masters of Wine has announced 11 new masters of wine.

Bacardi USA has announced plans to trial a new gin, Bombay Sapphire East, in the US on and off-trade.

SABMiller has announced the appointment of James (Jamie) Wilson as deputy chief financial officer.

Heinemann Asia Pacific, a subsidiary of Germany-based duty free retailer and distributor Gebr Heinemann, has appointed Paul Topping to the role of director.

French wine barrel manufacturer, Groupe Charlois, has expanded into the US with the purchase of Winemakers Cooperage (WC) from Treasury Wine Estates.