This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Slideshow
The week that was
the drinks business presents this week’s round up of wine, beer, spirits and other related news items.
Click through our highlights from news sites and social media across the world.
Wine news
- The BBC reports about how women are changing Champagne.
- Winemaker Graziano Specogna, who produced wine in Friuli in Italy, has died.
- A 10ft robotic bartender has taken up residence at Campo Viejo’s Fiesta de Color in London.
- Fiona Beckett reports for the Guardian about how Tasmanian wine has more in common with Burgundy than with the Barossa.
- The Evening Standard explains how wine societies are getting a hipster makeover.
- Market Watch presents ‘more proof that no-one knows anything about wine.‘
- The letters ‘A’ and ‘O’ have disappeared off the ‘Chapoutier’ sign overlooking the A7 motorway in France.
- A self-taught baker has made a handbag-shaped cake that also dispenses wine.
- The Telegraph examines why Chinese investors are snapping up Bordeaux vineyards.
Beer news
- The MD of Asahi UK tells City A.M why the rise of craft has helped the whole beer sector.
- Sainsbury’s has axed 70 beer and cider lines including Brewdog, Stella Artois cidre and Desperados.
- The Telegraph lists the surprising health benefits of beer.
- Marble Brewery in Manchester has been reported to trading standards for selling its ‘Pint’ beer in 500ml cans.
- Steve Magnall of St Peter’s Brewery tells the Telegraph: “It’s so true that sales is vanity, profit is sanity.”
- Radio X has teamed up with Greene King to make a beer called ‘Amplified.’
Spirits news
- Glenturret names a whisky after world record holding mouser, Towser.
- Hendricks are offered gin and tonics in exchange for cucumbers to celebrate World Cucumber Day. db received a rather unusual present from them this week!
- Beam Suntory have been accused of ‘corporate bullying’ by a local shopkeeper.
- The ‘world’s first’ whisky to be made from iceberg water has hit the UK.
- Fife whisky distillery Lindores Abbey has launched a competition to name its new kittens.
- Hollyrood distillery seeks investment to become the first single malt distillery in Edinburgh for 90 years.
- Japan is set to battle Britain with its gin, reports the Telegraph.
- Whisky giant North British Distillery is set to switch from using French maize to Scottish wheat.
Other news
- Pub goers will face higher prices due to Heineken’s takeover of Punch taverns, reports the Sun.
- Not to be outdone by Patrick Stewart, Hugh Grant also downed booze from a shoe, this time at New College bar in Oxford.
- Public health experts have expressed concerns that the UK’s voluntary pledge to provide calorie and content information for alcoholic drinks, fails to make significant progress.
- Managed drink-led pubs have achieved 8.7% growth, according to the Morning Advertiser.