Home  /  Drinks

Chivas Brothers has announced a gaming partnership between its blended Scotch brand Ballantine’s and Gearbox franchise Borderlands.

Diageo has appointed Nuno Teles (pictured) to the role of managing director for Diageo Great Britain.

Anglo-Italian wine brand, When in Rome, has announced the release of its paper bottles, which will be available from Ocado in May. 

The RTD category has matured: brand proliferation is rife; gimmickry and consumer distrust have been swapped for authenticity and credibility. But the acronym also now covers a spectrum of product types, making stocking and merchandising decisions tricky for retailers. 

NielsenIQ 2021 data shows its boom time for big beer brands, with the category taking six of the top 10 spots in the list of biggest alcohol brands. Diageo does well in the spirits list, with Smirnoff , Gordon’s, Baileys, Captain Morgan and Bell’s Original all featuring. With the recent delisting of Russian products by major retailers, Russian Standard is unlikely to make the cut for 2022.

Drinks Retailing has polled 20 independent retailers from across the UK to pinpoint trends in style and flavour across spirits, mixers and sparkling wine. Retailers also reveal their bestsellers and rising stars.

Drinks Retailing has polled 20 independent retailers from across the UK to pinpoint trends in style and flavour across spirits, mixers and sparkling wine. Retailers also reveal their bestsellers and rising stars.

The owners of Lambrini perry have announced a new campaign in partnership with actor and presenter Denise Van Outen, marking the brand’s first big activation since it was acquired by Accolade Wines in June 2021. 

Austria's Neusiedlersee DAC has announced plans to champion the region and its red grape variety, Zweigelt, in the UK market.

Thatchers has lined up a TV ad for its new flavoured cider.

Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company has rolled out the first TV ad for its Birrificio Angelo Poretti brand, as it looks to tap into the beer with food occasion.

Moet Hennessy’s namesake Cognac brand has teamed up with the Gérard Basset Foundation and Liquid Icons to introduce the Hennessy Golden Vines Diversity Scholarship in Spirits.

The monthly round-up of what's new in low/no, beer, cider, wine, spirits, RTDs and mixers. 

Channel 4 is partnering with Aldi to broadcast its Grow with Aldi food and drink producer competition in a TV series that will air later this year. Platforming local British food and drink suppliers, the show is calling for applicants to appear in the six-part series, including alcohol producers. 

Diageo has announced plans to invest £40.5 million to expand its packaging facilities in both Belfast and Runcorn.

While IPAs, stouts and APAs have enjoyed time in the sun, their more mainstream cousin has only just begun to re-emerge from the shadows. Goodbye Eurofizz, hello grown-up lager. Millie Milliken reports

NielsenIQ’s Total Till sales report for April has revealed a steep decline in beer, wine and spirits sales across UK supermarkets. Alongside confectionery, the alcoholic drinks category saw the greatest decline in sales (-17.6%) compared to last year’s data. Overall, grocery sales dropped 4.1% over the last four weeks ending March 26, continuing the monthly downward trend seen in 2022.

What is the first thing you do when you wake up?

Trade organisation New Zealand Winegrowers has outlined plans to focus on the country’s white wines for the month of May.

Recent studies conducted by CGA and Nielsen found that wines closed with a natural cork attract a higher average price compared to those sealed with a screwcap. In both the on and off-trade, wine closed with a natural cork has undergone a higher value increase over the past four years.

SALTAIRE PILSNER, 4%

Cider producers are relentless in their pursuit of new flavours. There’s the seemingly endless stream of new fruits – think Strawberry, Mixed Fruit, Dark Fruit, Summer Fruit, Winter Fruit and so on – but also the various flavours offered by single varietals, for example. Cider flavours are ever-changing at every level of the category – from new fruit flavours to barrel ageing and co-ferments.

As Westons releases its Westons Cider Report 2022, Nigel Huddleston looks at the figures, forecasts and fruit trends shaping the cider category

Glass bottles will not be included in the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for England and Northern Ireland, the government has said.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has said Covid caused almost £1 billion in lost income for British distillers.

As the cost of living continues to rise, headlines for chancellor Rishi Sunak’s 2022 Spring Statement will likely centre around the 5p per litre reduction in fuel duty. And while that will ease some supply chain pressures, there are other gains and losses for drinks retailers and suppliers.

Sales of Provence rosé were up 9% in 2021, driven by key European markets, including the UK.

The independents showed up in full force at the 2022 Drinks Retailing Awards, with both new and familiar faces making their mark as some of the country’s most prominent independent drinks retailers.

From the major supermarkets to convenience chains and regional stores, the 2022 Drinks Retailing Awards celebrates a range of dynamic multiples, all putting drinks at the forefront of their businesses. 

English sparkling wine producer, Ridgeview, has shared its plans to open a new visitor destination next to its Chardonnay vineyards in the South Downs. Announced in celebration of Visit Britain’s English Tourism Week (18-27 March 2022), the new venue will offer wine tastings, on-site dining, tours and retail.