Minimum unit pricing comes into force in Scotland on May 1 and a leading cider producer has warned that it will fail to achieve its goals and bring damaging, unintended consequences. Aston Manor, which supplies brands like Frosty Jacks, Kingstone Press and Friels, has examined in detail the implications for consumers, retailers and producers. Chief executive Gordon Johncox said: “We believe any sensible and independent…

Concha y Toro has announced the UK launch of 1000 Stories, a Californian Zinfandel aged in bourbon barrels. The brand targets “urban male wine drinkers with a focus on nuanced flavours seen in craft beer, spirits and premium mixers”, and CyT said it has enjoyed “phenomenal success” in the US. Winemaker Bob Blue recommends enjoying the wine in a stemless glass, rolling the liquid around…

A new campaign group set up to give drinkers a voice in the national media has enjoyed plenty of success on its first weekend up and running. Drinkers’ Voice aims to give the public a voice in the debate on moderate drinking, arguing that for too long the anti-alcohol lobby has dominated the conversation. The group said this has resulted in “misleading statistics and scaremongering…

Britain is veering towards a situation where guidelines will state that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption, a leading commentator has warned. Christopher Snowdon, head of lifestyle economics at the Institute of Economic Affairs, has waged a war against nanny-stateism, prohibitionism and dodgy statistics peddled by public health lobbyists and neo-prohibitionists over the years. He sees alcohol developing into the new tobacco and…

Suffolk-based microbrewery St Peter’s has unveiled Without Gold, a hoppy, golden ale that it claims is full of flavour and completely alcohol free. The launch, which follows on from the success of St Peter’s Without Original, targets ale drinkers who like a refreshing, light, golden beer. Gold is a golden alcohol-free craft beer, with a full bodied, slightly sweet malt flavour, combined with a citrus…

Magners has unveiled its new Seize the Summer campaign, which will run throughout the summer across the on and off-trade. Magners has partnered with Easyjet Holidays to give drinkers the chance to win one of 400 holidays, worth up to £1,000. In the off-trade more than 660,000 packs will feature a promotional flash, giving the brand stand out on shelf. Each pack contains a unique…

Whyte & Mackay has launched a Scotch in honour of legendary arctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton – a replica of the whisky he took with him to the bottom of the world, and famously left there for 100 years.  Shackleton was the ultimate English heroic failure– a man who never accomplished what he set out to do, yet still inspired…