2010 March

Jacob’s Creek is challenging consumers’ ideas of taste in the new stage of its True Character campaign, which it predicts will reach more than 10 million shoppers.

Bacardi Superior Rum is spending £20 million on marketing in 2010 in an effort to recruit 250,000 new drinkers.

The Wine & Spirit Trade Association is urging independent retailers to boost their marketing efforts after a poll revealed over half of wine drinkers don’t buy wine from their local merchant.

Jacob’s Creek is challenging consumers’ ideas of taste in the new stage of its True Character campaign, which it predicts will reach more than 10 million shoppers.

Diageo GB plans to drive spirit sales this spring with its Perfect Easter, Perfect Choice campaign.

Global wine expert and TV personality Oz Clarke is joining this year's International Wine Challenge judging panel as a co-chairman.

A 50p-a-unit minimum price on alcohol would result in around 2,900 fewer premature deaths a year in England, according to research by Sheffield University published this week in The Lancet.

Today’s Budget has dealt a major blow to the drinks industry as Alistair Darling announces a hike in alcohol duty.

WKD has created a promotion to support footie fans watching the World Cup from the comfort of their own homes.

Two thirds of the public want the government to abandon the Beer Tax escalator in Wednesday's Budget, according to a new Comres poll released today (March 23) on behalf of the British Beer & Pub Association.

Yeagaar will be undergoing a packaging revamp after the Portman Group ruled it should be removed from sale for breaching its code.

Liverpool-based Cains brewery has secured a UK-wide listing with Tesco for its canned India Pale Ale.

Bulmers is cashing in on summertime cider drinking with its launch of Summer Blend, a “specially blended light and refreshing” cider made from apples and pears.

As the World Cup nears the trade should be ready to reap the rewards.

Häagen-Dazs has launched Chocolate, Pralines & Caramel to bolster its portfolio and cash in on the biggest flavour segment in the luxury ice?cream category.

Smuggled alcohol with a retail value of more than £13 million has been seized by Customs officers since April 1.

Molson Coors hopes to encourage continental drinking habits among consumers with the launch of the Perfect Grolsch Serve Home Experience Pack.

The boss of Britain’s biggest online drinks retailer says proposals to force retailers to have policies on under-age sales won’t prevent rogue traders from supplying alcohol to minors.

Consumers find calorie content “far more motivating” than units in understanding alcohol content, the new communications boss at alcohol education body Drinkaware has claimed.

A ban on alcohol ads has been backed by an advisory body of young people feeding views to the Scottish government.

More than £200,000 has been raised in the UK for the Chile earthquake appeal, according to Wines of Chile UK.

Another major supplier has shrunk its UK wine range in a bid to stay competitive in a challenging market.

l Coca-Cola Enterprises has relaunched Ocean Spray as part of a £7 million marketing spend. CCE intends to broaden the brand’s appeal with a new tall, slim, easy-pour 1-litre pack and a new variant, Blueberry, to meet consumer demand for “super-fruit” products. Blueberry light will also be available.

A new Doritos initiative is asking amateur filmmakers to make their own Doritos ad, with the winner picking up £200,000 and “30 seconds of fame”.

All Day Energy has introduced a new sugar and sodium-free energy drink, with a caffeine-free option.

United Biscuits is preparing for the World Cup with two football-themed on-pack promotions.

The boss of Britain’s biggest dedicated online drinks retailer says proposals to force retailers to have policies on under-age sales won’t prevent rogue traders from supplying alcohol to minors.

Consumers find calorie content “far more motivating” than units in understanding alcohol content, the new communications boss at alcohol education body Drinkaware has claimed.

When First Quench Retailing went into administration, it was established high street chains which emerged as front-runners in the race to buy all or parts of the collapsed business.

For my birthday a few weeks ago, my lovely partner bought me a pocket watch. It’s a thing of beauty, a skeleton watch, which means you can see all of the cogs and springs working away. I’m very taken with it, and have been enjoying popping it out foppishly to check the time, winding it up a little, and putting it away. Sadly, the other morning, the winding mechanism became uncoupled, so it ran flat, and has been sent for repair.