Champagne Pommery has re-entered the Hong Kong market with an exclusive distribution agreement with Connoisseur Wines & Spirits announces The Drinks Business. The whole range of Champagne including Pop, Brut royal, Rosé, Royal Blue Sky and Cuvée Louise, will be available in Hong Kong. Founded in 1856, Pommery is one of …

New data has revealed that China’s still and sparkling wine market would reach US$21bn compared to US$16bn in the UK by 2020, pushing the UK into the third place in the process. www.harpers.co.uk

The Institute of Masters of Wine has just announced four new Masters of Wine. The new Members of the Institute are Mark Andrew MW (UK), Jeremy Cukierman MW (France), Emma Dawson MW (UK) and David Forer MW (USA). There are now 356 Masters of Wine living in 29 countries. The new …

The sunshine was back to celebrate the 13th Vinisud, the world’s largest showcase for Mediterranean wines, which opened on January 29 at the Montpellier showground. Mirroring the pioneering spirit that epitomises the world’s largest wine region, Vinisud celebrated its new annual format this year with a number of novel concepts, …

Almost all individual companies have re-confirmed attendance and new exhibitors, as well as redesigned and expanded layouts for Piedmont, Tuscany, Sardinia and Vininternational: these are just some of the news items for 2017. The international operator invitation service for exhibitor companies will be activated in January. Enrolments for Sol&Agrifood and …

Cuba’s offer to send rum to the Czech Republic to pay off Cold War-era borrowings may not be as preposterous as it seems, judging by some previous distressed-debt proposals. Short on cash, officials in Havana have offered to send unspecified commodities and cases of the sugarcane-derived spirit to settle the …

Georgia will soon be the fourth wine producing country entered a Free Trade Agreement with China, following New Zealand, Chile and Australia. Georgia’s Minister of Agriculture, Levan Davitashvili told reporters: « We have successfully concluded the 7 months of negotiations. After the completion of the corresponding formalities, the free trade agreement …

Vinadeis Group has expanded its sales organisation in Asia with the arrival of Catherine Wong as Asia Brands Manager. Catherine Wong has over 20 years of experience in sales & marketing in the wine business and tourism. She worked for many years as Asia Brands Manager for Concha y Toro. …

It is one of the biggest deals of the year and has sent shockwaves through the brewing industry. The announced acquisition price of US$107 billion paid by AB InBev for SABMiller implies a colossal value of US$120 billion when debt is accounted for.

The eighth Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), ended yesterday. Held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from 5 to 7 November, the fair gathered more than 1,060 exhibitors from 32 countries and regions.