SABMiller has launched a new global advertising campaign for Peroni Nastro Azzurro, featuring Italian singer Mario Biondi.

The first whisky from Japanese craft distillery Chichibu has been launched. Chichibu The First is three years old, 61.8% abv and limited to 7,400 bottles. The whisky is not chill-filtered.

Diageo, through its Johnnie Walker brand, has launched a social media project to get communities involved in either technology, arts or business projects.

New Zealand’s Ara Wines has launched One Estate, a sparkling wine made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc, in the UK.

Martini has set its sights on recruiting a younger generation of consumers with a new global campaign entitled Luck Is An Attitude.

A five-litre demijohn of 1985 Cognac Frapin has sold for €15,000 at a charity auction.

Diageo has launched a cinnamon spiced vodka in travel retail.

UK: AB InBev and Budějovický Budvar can continue to use the Budweiser name simultaneously.

Russia: Pernod Ricard has teamed up with DJ Ferry Corsten to launch a limited edition bottle of Olmeca tequila. The product will be exclusive to Russia, where Olmeca holds a 41% market share.

Diageo has announced the launch of Baileys Biscotti to the UK.

Nemiroff Company has made its first step into eco-friendly spirits with the launch of Nemiroff Distinct, a vodka flavoured with aloe. 

Gemini Spirits & Wine, which claims to be the fastest growing spirits and specialty brand development company in the US, is to become the exclusive US importer of the Peter Heering and Xanté brands.

Belvedere has launched a new vodka in partnership with (RED) to raise proceeds for charity.

Champagne Jacquesson has announced the launch of two single-vineyard champagnes from 2002 to global markets.

The International Wine Challenge announced its winners last night at the Hilton hotel in London

US-based synthetic closure brand, Nomacorc, has announced it registered 10% year-on-year growth during Q1 and Q2 of 2011.

Absolut Vodka, part of the Pernod Ricard group, has revealed that its annual sales value and volume grew by 6% during the period July 1 2010 to June 30 2011. 

Rémy Cointreau Global Travel Retail (GTR) is attempting to raise awareness of vodka brand Russian Standard, with its new campaign Vodka As It Should Be.

Grupo Codorníu has extended its Raimat range of wines with the addition of Castell de Raimat Xarel.lo-Chardonnay and Castell de Raimat Chardonnay Barrica.

Kentucky-based bourbon company, Buffalo Trace Distillery, has announced the September release of its 2011 Antique Collection.

Beam Global is to launch Teacher’s Origin in global travel retail. The product has already launched in India, where, according to Beam, Teacher’s is the number one blended whisky.

Beam Global has launched Laphoaig Triple Wood to global markets and introduced Laphroaig PX as the expression’s global travel retail replacement.

Netherlands-based distillery, Group Toorank, has launched Sloane’s Gin to the UK market.

Canada: Beam Global has launched two cognacs with declared age statements. According to the company, the two marques are the “first cognacs available from any of the four major cognac makers to display a declared age statement”.

French vodka brand Poliakov has extended its line in the European on-trade to include a ‘red fruit’ liqueur.

Diageo has announced that Madonna will partner Smirnoff in the next instalment of the Nightlife Exchange Project.

Isle of Jura has announced it will give whisky consumers the chance to own a cask of scotch worth £10,000.

South Africa: Patron has launched its first billboard campaign outside of the US. 

Pernod Ricard has appointed bartender and 'tequila expert' Matthias Lataille as UK ambassador for Olmeca Altos.

Accolade Wines has launched a low alcohol wine under the Stowells brand. Stowells Light is 5.5% abv and a 125ml glass contains one unit of alcohol and 56 calories.

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

Diageo has launched a global, multi-media marketing campaign for its Captain Morgan rum-based brand.

Buffalo Trace has launched two un-aged bourbons, White Dog Wheated Mash and White Dog Rye Mash.

Mako Vodka, a nautically themed spirit made using water from “ice-age aquifers” has launched to selected states in the US. 

StarBev has announced ‘significant investments’ in its Staropramen brand, as it eyes international expansion.

Liqueurs de France has rolled out the launch of its Enigma absinthe range to the UK, in a bid to change consumer perceptions of the spirit.

Badet Clement has added Rolle to its Les Jamelles Rare & Antique range, a five-strong collection of “heritage, forgotten, or little-known” varietals from the south of France.

A bottle of 1811 Château d’Yquem has been sold for £75,000, setting a Guinness world record.

Constellation Brands has added Keith Wandell, president and chief executive officer of Harley- Davidson to its board.

Scotch brand Highland Park has introduced Earl Haakon, the third and final bottling of its limited edition Magnus Series.

Bacardi Brown Forman Brands has launched a new vodka under the Eristoff brand.

Moët & Chandon has created a new identity for its Grand Vintage champagne labels.

Monin has launched Sweet and Sour, a cocktail syrup for the on-trade.

The Glenmorangie Company has released a £2,500 whisky matured in Chateau d’Yquem sauternes casks.

Diageo has launched a £15m global campaign for its Tanqueray gin brand.

Czech lager brand Pilsner Urquell poured an estimated 90,000 litres of beer during the 2011 Open Championship in Kent, UK.

UK: Pernod Ricard has launched a range of pre-mixed serves for its coconut rum brand Malibu.

Campari's Italian aperitif brand Aperol is going from strength to strength according to its owners.

Carlos Santana has become joint owner of Casa Noble tequila in Mexico.

Absolut vodka has launched a global creative campaign called Absolut Blank. The campaign involves 'blank' bottles that have been turned into pieces of art by 18 different artists.