Hospitality and off-licence sectors throw weight behind Drop the Duty campaign

The hospitality and multiple off-licence sectors are throwing their support behind the trade's Drop The Duty campaign, as new research from CGA highlights the importance of wine and spirit sales to the UK on-trade.

George Clooney hopes to make a star out of his Casamigos premium tequila in the UK

Monkey Shoulder sets off in search of the Ultimate Bartender

Scotch whisky brand, Monkey Shoulder, is launching a new competition to find the "Ulitmate Bartender" in the UK with a series of regional trials with the overall winner getting the chance to run their own pop up bar during London Cocktail Week.

Diageo's Johnnie Walker unveils limited edition whisky to coincide with Chinese New Year

Diageo's John Walker & Sons King George V whisky has released an art deco inspired limited edition pack in time for Chinese New Year.

World expert John Gauntner introduces us to sake

John Gauntner is renowned as being one of the English-speaking world's foremost experts on sake. Here he explains how he got into sake, and what's happening in the industry now.

Calling on wine and spirits producers around the world to back Drop the Duty campaign

Today Harpers is calling on wine and spirits producers around the world concerned about the high alcohol duty levels in the UK to get involved in the Drop the Duty campaign and have their voice heard by the Chancellor, George Osborne.

Pernod Ricard celebrates strong UK half-year performance

Pernod Ricard's UK chief says the market is now in "full recovery" as its brands, in particular those at the top end of the scale, outperform the market.

Cold weather fails to dampen eating out sales in January

Restaurants and managed pubs saw like-for-like sales grow 1.4% in January, despite the snow and cold weather.

Senior industry figures toast positive reception from Treasury over proposed 2% duty cut

Senior representatives from the drinks industry met with Treasury officials yesterday to present evidence in support of the proposed 2% duty cut on alcohol, describing the discussions as "constructive".

WSTA meets Treasury to call for 2% alcohol duty cut

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association is today meeting with the Treasury to present its 2015 Budget submission calling for a 2% cut in wine and spirits duty.

Scotch Whisky Association goes to Westminster asking government to support trade and drop duty

The Scotch Whisky Association argued this week at Westminster that as a £5 billion industry and a vital part of the UK economy the government should implement measures that support the sector and cut duty by 2%

Portman Group hits back against 'misleading' calls for alcohol advertising ban

The Portman Group has branded research from Alcohol Concern which calls for restrictions on alcohol advertising and sponsorship "weak and misleading".

Glenrothes releases a 1968 edition to its Extraordinary Cask Collection

Berry Bros & Rudd has unearthed another rare single cask it is releasing to become the third editon in its Extradordinary Cask Collection series.

The Benevolent offers magic, music and dancing at its March Ball

The Benevolent is encouraging the drinks trade to reward well performing staff with a night out at the industry charity's ball at London's Dorchester hotel on March 12.

Encirc Beverages appoints new general manager John Hawkins

Contract bottling firm Encirc Beverages has appointed John Hawkins as its new general manager to oversee operations and develop customer relations at its Elton plant in Cheshire.

Middle and upper classes flock to Aldi and Lidl for drinks bargains

The British notion of class is no longer holding back shoppers from snapping up drinks bargains at discounters Aldi and Lidl.

AG Barr buys cocktail mixer firm Funkin

Scottish soft drinks group AG Barr, the maker of Irn Bru, has bought cocktail mixer firm Funkin for up to £21 million.

Wine agency suppliers to be hardest hit in Tesco range cull

Tesco's pledge to cut ranges by 30% as part of a massive overhaul of its entire product base will hit wine and spirits suppliers, especially those on the agency side, and is likely to be followed by the other major supermarket chains, industry experts have warned.

Drinks trade saves £51m on glass recycling

The wine and spirits trade has saved an estimated £51 million in glass recycling fees per year in the last year, after a WSTA-led campaign sought to bring spiralling costs down.

WSTA sets out its own general election manifesto to the main political parties

What the drinks industry wants from the next government is laid out today in the Wine and Spirit Trade Association's general election manifesto.