Fine wine market continues to boom

The latest Christie's fine wine auction in London achieved sales of more than £1.3 million, as the market continues to perform well despite the recession.

Taboo breaks out nails promotion

First Drinks' Taboo spirits brand is linking up with nail care company Nails Inc in a bid to target female drinkers in the on-trade this summer.

Stirrings thickens up Diageo portfolio

Diageo has bought out the US cocktail mixer producer Stirrings. The UK company acquired a 20% stake in Stirrings two years ago.

Zamaretto sponsors Southern League

Football's Southern League is to be renamed the Zamaretto League following a deal with the amaretto's owner InterContinental Brands.

Wine recovery in 2011 says research firm

The recovery in UK wines sales could take until 2011 according to a new report form market research company Mintel.

Majestic sees profits slide

Majestic Wine has been hit by a downturn in trade at its French business, Wine & Beer World, as a result of the pound's slide against the euro.

Young sommelier of the year announced

Yohann Jousselin, head sommelier at the Hotel du Vin, Winchester has become the UK's young sommelier of the year.

Wines in the press - June 12 - 14

Guardian

Inver House Distillers opens new £1 million bottling plant

Inver House Distillers, has opened a £1 million new bottling plant at the company's headquarters in Airdrie.

Calabrese joins the Cognac elite

Gerry Calabrese of the Hoxton Pony is among the new members of Courvoisier's elite online professional network site The Future 500.

Gonzalez Byass to be world wine supplier

Gonzalez Byass hopes to transform itself into a worldwide supplier of wines with agencies from all the major wine producing countries, according to its director general Jorge Grosse.

SWA refused appeal in Canadian whisky row

The Scotch Whisky Association has lost a long-running court battle to prevent a Canadian distiller using the word "Glen" in the name of one if its brands.

Cream sambuca joins Luxardo line-up

A cream sambuca liqueur is being launched by Italian producer Luxardo.

Space launch for J&B campaign

Diageo has sent a mirror ball into space to mark the launch of a global marketing campaign for J&B whisky.

Torres cleared in poisoning probe

A Torres wine which was caught up in a poisoning scare is back on the market after being given the all-clear by the authorities.

UK a bright spot for bullish Brown-Forman

The UK was one of the major contributing markets to a 3% rise in underlying net sales for Brown-Forman in the year to April 30.

Online club for Belvedere bars

Super-premium vodka brand Belvedere has launched a members' club for both trade and consumer fans of the brand.

Argento launches in USA

Bibendum in Banfi coup

UK fine wine merchant Bibendum has signed an exclusive UK distribution deal with Italian giants Castello Banfi.

McGuigan targets UK market

Australian producer McGuigan has added Pinot Grigio and Cabernet Sauvignon to its Classic Grey Label range in the UK.