Summer boosts sales of sparkling wine, says Nielsen

Fizz has fared well thanks to summer weather, with sales of sparkling wine up 18.9% on last year, according to the latest Nielsen data for the off-trade.

Special Yorkshire liqueur recreated in honour of the Brontë family

Sir James Aykroyd, former chairman of Speyside Distillers, has recreated a special liqueur in honour of the Brontë family and their home in Yorkshire.

Your chance to enter and nominate brands for the Harpers Global Design Awards

If you have seen or worked with an exciting new drinks in the last 12 months then you can now nominate them to receive special recognition in the Harpers Global Design Awards.

Pernod Ricard acquires majority stake in Avión Spirits as it targets US for growth

Pernod Ricard has made its second major acquisition this year with its almost $100 million investment to acquire an 84% stake in Avión Spirits.

David Beckham's Haig Club whisky goes on sale in Selfridges

David Beckham's exclusive new whisky, Haig Club, that he has developed with Diageo, is now exclusively on sale at Selfridges in London until the end of July before being rolled out to wider distribution.

UK spirits market is "more polarised than ever" says new William Grant & Sons report

Chiefs of the week: Glenmorangie's Dr Bill Lumsden - the McWilly Wonka of whisky

This week we tip our proverbial cap to the one and only Dr Bill Lumsden, whisky creator extraordinaire, who says his latest limited edition for Glenmorangie is his finest whisky to date.

Glenmorangie Pride 1978 is my finest whisky yet, says Dr Bill Lumsden

Glenmorangie claims its new release, Pride 1978, which has been extra matured in casks of Grand Cru claret wine, is its most exclusive launch yet and follows on the success of the Pride 1981 which was released in 2011.

Professor Dame Joan Stringer first chair of Scotch Whisky Action Fund

Leading academic Professor Dame Joan Stringer, known for her work on championing equality, is to become the first chair of the Scotch Whisky Action Fund, set up to tackle alcohol-related harm.

Whisky maker William Grant & Sons donates to campaigns against Scottish independence

Spirits firm William Grant & Sons has donated money to several groups who are campaigning for a "no" vote in the upcoming Scottish independence referendum.

Lebanese producers move to protect vital supplies from Syria

Lebanese wine producers are having to take continued steps to ensure the quality of aniseed sourced from Syria to help make the traditonal drink, arak, is not compromised by the continued conflict over the border.

Harpers Design Awards relaunches as global competition

The Harpers Design Awards are being relaunched for 2014 as a global competition, inviting entries for wines, spirits, beers, ciders and soft drinks from anywhere in the world - providing they are already on sale in the market.

The Smith report: the rise of Scotch as an alternative to fine wine investors

According to a new report by Rabobank released in June, Scotch whisky is currently going through a boom. But Scotch producers could learn a thing or two from the wine trade in that regulating the peaks and troughs of supply and demand is necessary to increase value over the long term. So could Scotch whisky now rival fine wine as an alternative investment?

Jude Law to star in new short film for Johnnie Walker Blue Label

British film star, Jude Law, is to appear in a special short film to promote Johnnie Walker Blue Label, the blended Scotch whisky, called 'The Gentleman's Wager'.

London distillery Sipsmith launches Sipping Vodka

Traditional London distillery Sipsmith has launched Sipping Vodka, made from English wheat.

Britain continues to drink through the World Cup despite England's exit

England may have crashed out of the World Cup but the nation is continuing to drink through it, according to the latest figures released by the Wilson Drinks Report.

Glenfiddich rolls out £2m global ad campaign to push its family roots

Glenfiddich is to spend £2 million on a new global advertising campaign focused on celebrating and promoting its 126 years of family-owned independence.

Tough fiscal year end closes for drinks industry's biggest players

There won't be many corks popping across the drinks industry this week as the summer marks what has been tough fiscal year for the sector dominated by a slowdown in growth in China.

Jose Cuervo tequila launches Tradicional Silver in UK

Jose Cuervo tequila is launching its Tradicional Silver, a spicy 100% agave Blanco tequila to the UK market for the first time.

Diageo launches special edition Tanqueray Old Tom gin

Diageo has launched limited edition Tanqueray Old Tom gin, drawing on an original recipe from its founder and bridging the gap between malty Dutch genevers and London Dry gins.