Drought ends in south-east Australia

Spirit of Speyside contributes £750k to economy

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival contributed nearly £750,000 to the Scottish economy this year, attracting 26,000 visitors, a survey has shown.

Pernod Ricard Q1 sales up 10%

Pernod Ricard has reported a 10% rise in first-quarter sales, helped by strong growth in Asia.

Sterling gained against US$ as spending cuts outlined

Sterling gained against the US dollar yesterday as George Osborne outlined plans for UK spending cuts but it fell against the euro as the Bank of England minutes showed one member voting for further Quantitative Easing.

Wine drinkers prefer PET to Bag-in-Box and Tetrapak

The PET bottle has edged in front of the Bag-in-Box and Tetrapak in popularity according to Wine Intelligence research.

Golden Rum Barrel Award winners announced

Winners of the inaugural international Golden Rum Barrel Awards have been announced by The Rum Experience.

Napa Valley predicts exceptional vintage

Napa Valley winegrowers are predicting exceptional wines from this year's harvest, despite challenging growing conditions from the cooler than average temperatures.

Sterling slips, ahead of spending review

Sterling slipped across the board yesterday as weak UK factory orders caused concerns amongst investors ahead of today's government spending review.

Sweet wine drinkers can be best tasters, claims US report

Sweet wine drinkers can be amongst some of the best tasters and judges of wine, according to a new US report released today.

WSTA rejects calls for drinks ad restrictions

The trade has rejected calls from an alcohol charity for further restrictions on drinks advertising.

Cox awarded top honour from Chile

The Chilean government has bestowed the highest honour available to non-Chileans on UK director of Wines of Chile Michael Cox.

Sterling slips from near nine month high

Sterling slips from its near nine month high against the dollar in today's foreign exchange analysis from Smart Currency Exchange. If you would like to receive free bespoke currency advice then go to www.smartwinespirits.com.

Charities launch Alcohol Awareness Week

Alcohol Awareness Week has got under way with a call for a national enquiry into the way harmful drinking among parents impacts on their children.

Currency update, October 18 - sterling hits high of $1.61

Sterling rose to the highest level against the US dollar since the end of January on Friday after Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said that low inflation gave a case for more intervention by the Federal Reserve.

Pernod Ricard sells New Zealand Wine brands

Pernod Ricard Group has sold some of its New Zealand Wine brands, including Lindauer, to a consortium of buyers from Lion Nathan and Indevin, for NZ $88 million (circa £42 million).

Glenfiddich launches adventurous campaign

Glenfiddich has announced the launch a global advertising campaign - One Day You Will.

Sunday Times salutes drinks businesses

Eight drinks businesses have been named among the 250 leading mid-market private companies by the Sunday Times.

6,300 pubs, bars and restaurants to close by 2015

A new report has predicted that 6,300 pubs, bars and restaurants will close by 2015.

Foreign Office's wine buying quango scrapped

Boardroom shake-up at Wetherspoons

A boardroom shake-up at Wetherspoons saw two directors step down from the 784-strong managed pub chain yesterday.