Veuve Clicquot opens bar in Harrods

Veuve Clicquot is opening its first champagne bar and boutique at London's Harrods store.

Johnnie Walker ads scoop string of awards

Johnnie Walker has won a string of awards for a campaign that has helped boost global sales by 48% over the past eight years.

170 jobs to go as Carlsberg shuts brewery

Drinks giant Carlsberg is to close its 186 year-old brewery in Leeds with a loss of up to 170 jobs.

Martell gets modern makeover from Pernod

Pernod Ricard wants to "modernise" its French cognac brand Martell with the aide of a UK-wide ad campaign.

Diageo gives Baileys biggest ever ad push

Diageo is launching its biggest ever advertising campaign for Baileys this week, as it seeks to drive sales in the Christmas run-up.

S&N withdraws Miller Beer from UK market

Scottish & Newcastle (S&N) is to stop making Miller Beer in the UK and channel its efforts into boosting sales of Miller Genuine Draft.

United Brands makes premium addition to portfolio

United Brands has announced Godfrey's Schnapps as the latest addition to its premium portfolio.

Corona Extra to sponsor major film festival

Corona Extra is to sponsor a major national festival showcasing up and coming film makers in the UK.

InBev unveils TV ad for 4% Stella Artois

InBev UK has unveiled the TV ad that will launch its 4% variant of Stella Artois to consumers.

NZ wine brand bids for fashion first

Fledgling New Zealand wine producer Invivo has partnered with a New York art gallery as it bids to position itself as a "fashionable" wine brand.

Demand soaring for sparkling English wines

The popularity of sparkling English wines is on the up, with demand predicted to outstrip supply six times over in the run-up to Christmas. Text

Diageo announces Christmas plans for Gordon's

Diageo will capitalise on its partnership with Gordon Ramsay to drive awareness of Gordon's gin over Christmas.

JD Wetherspoon "encouraged" by sales lift

Pub chain JD Wetherspoon has said it is confident for the year ahead, after reporting a like-for-like sales increase of 1.5% in the 13 weeks to 26 October.

AFW launches hunt for sommelier of the year

The Academy of Food & Wine (AFW) has launched a search for the UK sommelier of the year.

Wines in the Press: Sweet sherry and brilliant Bordeaux

Pernod ploughs £1m into Campo Viejo push

Pernod Ricard is launching a £1 million ad campaign to push its Campo Viejo Rioja wine brand.

Weekend round-up: More than 4000 pubs face closure

The FT
More than 4,000 pubs will go out of business in the next two years as beer sales fall and higher bills crush profits, according to insolvency specialists at PwC. Sixty-four pub businesses went bust in the third quarter - more than double the number in the same period last year and nearly triple the number in 2006. A combination of factors, including the smoking ban and the aggressive marketing of alcohol by supermarkets, had helped encourage people to drink in their homes rather than pubs and bars.

The Mirror
A company which makes home booze deliveries was yesterday slammed for advertising itself as an "emergency service" and using an ambulance logo. Alcohol in Emergency's leaflets proclaim: "A in E ... your quick link to drink." But health groups and MPs called it "ill-judged" marketing by the Southampton firm that delivers all night until 6am.

Almost 42,000 pupils have been sent home for booze or drug offences in the past four years. A total of 1,930 primary and secondary school youngsters were expelled. And a further 39,890 were suspended, figures from the Department for Children Schools and Families show. Separate data from the Home Office reveals 521,000 under-18s have been able to buy alcohol in bars. Almost half of those who drank regularly admitted doing crime.

The Times
A 'silent epidemic' of dementia could await today's binge drinkers, psychiatrists have warned. Heavy drinkers of all ages are at risk of developing debilitating conditions, including alzheimers, in later life, according to a new a study. Its authors are now calling for cigarette-style warning labels on wine bottles to stave off a mental health time bomb.

Beer sales in pubs may be in steep decline, but real ale, once seen as the preserve of the sandal-wearing brigade, is on the up. According to the Society of Independent Brewers (Siba), sales of locally produced beers bucked the trend with a rise of 8 per cent in the first half of the year. The figures are in stark contrast with the wider beer market, which suffered a 7.2 per cent fall in sales in the three months to the end of September.

BBC Online
Pub-goers in Aberdeen are facing a drugs test before entering bars as part of a crackdown by Grampian Police. Officers in the force will be the first in Scotland to use an Itemiser - a device which can detect traces of drugs from hand swabs in a matter of seconds. The test is voluntary, but customers will be refused entry if they do not take part. They could be searched and even arrested if traces are found.

Shepherd Neame scores Asian themed offer with Asda

Shepherd Neame's Asian Collection, which includes Kingfisher Beer, Sun Lik Beer and Asahi Beer, is part of an exclusive offer with the 330 Asda Stores, UK wide.
Source: Shepherd Neame

Napa Valley generates billions for US economy

California's Napa Valley contributes $42 billion (£25.9 billion) a year to the entire US wine economy, according the findings of a new report.

"Explosion" of 24-hour bars fails to materialise

Government statistics show that the "predicted explosion" in 24-hour drinking venues has failed to materialise. Text