SPI Group 'extremely disappointed' by Dutch ruling returning Stolichnaya brand to Russia

Spirit International said it was "extremely disappointed" that a Dutch court has ordering the company to hand control of three vodka brands back to the Russia state-owned monopoly.

Pernod Ricard's 'black op's' vodka brand announces London team

An urban micro-distillery initiated by Pernod Ricard is set to open in Hackney in June, headed by two local entrepreneurs from outside the spirits industry.

Diageo puts innovation 'at the heart' of its UK commercial strategy

Diageo is stepping up its commitment to innovation as part of a commercial strategy that will see levels of npd boosted across its drinks portfolio. 

Cîroc vodka is first alcohol brand to launch Instagram advertisements

C&icircroc vodka is set to be the first alcohol brand to launch paid for advertising on Instagram, as it kicks off a six week campaign today.

Nielsen confirms sparkling wine and major spirits categories as big Christmas winners

Nielsen has confirmed that sparkling wine and the main spirits categories were the big winners during Christmas 2014.

James Bond returns to vodka - Belvedere vodka for new Spectre film

Bond is back and this time's he's drinking vodka. Belvedere vodka to be exact.

Grey Goose takes over London Tube station with huge ad

Grey Goose vodka has taken over the full length of London's Bank Underground Station with the "largest piece of single advertising creative" in UK history in the run-up to Christmas.

P Diddy looks to grow wine and spirits business

Famed rapper and businessman Sean 'Diddy' Combs has recently grown his partnership with Diageo to include De León tequila as well as Ciroc vodka, and has plans to further boost the portfolio.

Dia Simms, the woman behind P Diddy's drinks ventures, on why their spirits mean business

Starting off as Sean 'Diddy' Combs personal chief of staff, Dia Simms is now the executive vice president of Ciroc Vodka & Innovations, at the newly-formed Combs Wine & Spirits.Gemma McKenna catches up with Simms and finds out what the pair have planned for the expansion of the drinks empire.

Arbikie, Scotland's newest farm-to-bottle distillery, kicks off with potato vodka

A super-premium Scottish potato vodka is to be the first spirit produced by Arbikie, Scotland's newest farm-to-bottle distillery.

Christmas Report: how vodka can drive festive profits

Vodka commands the lion's share of the spirits sector, with over 30% of total sales; not only is it the most widely drunk spirit in the UK, but it is outstripping the overall spirits sector, with annual growth of 4.4%. Helen Arnold reports.

Christmas Report: why premium spirits are key for festive sales

Premium spirits are a crucial selling feature of the festive season. Helen Arnold explains why:

Matthew Clark sees British drinks soar in popularity

On-trade drinks supplier Matthew Clark has seen sales of English wines soar by 53% in the past year, with home-grown beers and spirits following suit.

Limited edition Andy Warhol Absolut vodka bottle released

Absolut Vodka has produced a limited edition Andy Warhol bottle of which only 4 million bottles are available.

Diageo's Smirnoff vodka launches £15m campaign

Smirnoff vodka has launched a £15 million marketing campaign - including TV advertising - in order to grow the category and make it more accessible.

On-trade hit by decline in spirits sales across all venues

Declining year-on-year spirits sales in the on-trade will have brand owners hoping for a substantial pick up in the last few months of the year leading up to Christmas.

Chase Distillery launches marmalade ready to drink cocktail

Herefordshire's Chase Distillery has released its first ready to drink cocktail - the Marmalade Mule

Berry Bros & Rudd takes on Sweden's Karlsson's Gold Vodka

The Swedish premium vodka, Karlsson's Gold Vodka, is the latest addition to Berry Bros & Rudd's growing spirtis portfoliio.

EU and US sanctions unlikely to harm the Russian Vodka industry

The Week That Was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have done a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.