The Wine Chronicle《品醇集》

AUSTRALIA REJECTS CHINA'S STEEL & WIND PRODUCTS FOR WINES PROPOSAL

NEWS 25-9-2023

Australia has initially rejected China's demand for better terms on Chinese wind towers, railway wheels and stainless steel sinks in exchange for lifting tariffs on Aussie wines.

馬克龍以頂級勃艮第、波爾多及香檳款待英王查爾斯

FOCUS 21-9-2023

今年五月正式登位的英國國王查爾斯，連同皇后卡米拉正在法國進行三天的國是訪問，法國總統馬克龍昨晚在凡爾賽宮舉行國宴歡迎，據法國傳媒報道，席間採用的葡萄酒均來自法國頂級産區，包括勃艮第、波爾多及香檳酒。

SUNTORY ADDS HIBIKI 21YO & HIBIKI HARMONY DESIGN BOTTLE TO ITS CENTENNIAL LINEUP

NEWS 20-9-2023

Japan’s Suntory has added limited editions of Hibiki 21YO and a bottle design of Hibiki Japanese Harmony to mark the 100th anniversary of Yamazaki distillery’s inception.

CHINA MADE WHISKY HAS MADE INROADS INTO OVERSEAS MARKETS

NEWS 15-9-2023

A range of whiskies produced by China’s Goalong distillery is now available in the United Kingdom, in what is claimed to be a first-of-its-kind export deal.

VIETNAMESE COLLECTOR ACQUIRED WORLD’S BIGGEST BOTTLED WHISKY

NEWS 13-9-2023

Vietnamese businessman Viet Nguyen Dinh Tuan, owner of the world’s most valuable whisky and cognac collections, was the anonymous bidder for the Intrepid at Edinburgh auction last year.

GLEN GRANT 70YO IN HAND-CRAFTED DECANTERS AVAILABLE IN 4 ASIAN MARKETS

NEWS 11-9-2023

Only seven decanters of Glen Grant Devotion 70YO will be available, six will be allocated to China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, UK and USA respectively, and one for auction through Sotheby's.

INDIA-UK FREE TRADE DEAL NOT GUARANTEED WHEN MODI & SUNAK MEET IN G20

NEWS 8-9-2023

UK's Sunak administration has reportedly refused the idea of an early harvest deal, tariffs of UK alcoholic drinks to India will remain at 150% for now.

MOUTAI JOINED LUCKIN TO LAUNCH BAIJIU COFFEE TO WOO YOUNG CONSUMERS

NEWS 6-9-2023

Luckin Coffee said more than 5 million of the liquor infused coffee worth over RMB100m were sold on the first day of launch.

NEW DELHI RESIDENTS RUSH TO STOCK UP LIQUORS AHEAD OF G20 "LOCKDOWN"

NEWS 4-9-2023

Long queues can be seen outside liquor shops in New Delhi after police announced sweeping closures during the G20 summit to be held in the coming weekend.

JAPANESE LENDER TAKES CASKS OF MATURING WHISKY AS COLLATERAL FOR LONG-TERM LOAN

NEWS 31-8-2023

Japanese whisky has become so sought-after that distilleries can now use casks of maturing whisky as collateral to get long-term loans from financial institutions.

SALES OF TRADITIONAL KOREAN LIQUORS TRIPLED IN 5 YEARS WITH GEN Z SUPPORT

NEWS 30-8-2023

Young drinkers in South Korea are falling in love with traditional Korean liquors including makgeolli and cheongju, leading to sales tripling in five years.

HK GOV'T BANKS ON NIGHTLIFE SECTOR TO REVIVE THE CITY'S VIBE

NEWS 29-8-2023

As tourists are not returning, the Hong Kong government is hoping that free alcohol and longer shopping hours can revive the city’s night economy and help boost recovery.

TAIWAN BEER HIKES RETAIL PRICE FOR FIRST TIME IN 20 YEARS

NEWS 25-8-2023

The government-controlled Taiwan Beer raised retail price for the first time in 20 years due to rising raw material and production costs.

TWE IS MAKING PREPARATIONS TO RE-ALLOCATE AUSSIE-MADE PENFOLDS TO CHINESE MARKET

NEWS 23-8-2023

TWE chief executive Tim Ford told Australian media that they are delaying decisions on allocations of high-end Penfolds for a few months as the prospect of China reopening improves.

HONG KONG AWARDED TRADEMARK PROTECTION TO SCOTCH WHISKY

NEWS 22-8-2023

This means that the term “Scotch whisky” can only be used in Hong Kong on whisky products made in Scotland in accordance with strict production and labelling requirements.

S. KOREA: GEORGIA WILL BE COUNTRY OF HONOUR IN DAEJEON WINE EXPO 2023

NEWS 21-8-2023

Georgia will be the Country of Honour in the Daejeon International Wine Expo 2023, scheduled to open from 3 to10 September in the central South Korean city of Daejeon.

ASIA-PAC SAVED SCOTCH EXPORTS AMID CRASH IN AMERICAS, S’PORE UP 59% & CHINA UP 39.5%

NEWS 18-8-2023

Growth in exports to Asia Pacific has helped sales of Scotch whisky hold steady in H1 2023 amid severe drop in exports to the Americas, Scotch Whisky Association data showed.

供應短缺加環保考慮　    起泡酒經典鋁質酒帽將成絕唱

FOCUS 16-8-2023

因為供應及環保原因，歐盟早前宣布，在區內生產的起泡葡萄酒包括香檳在內，可以在瓶頸處沒有鋁箔帽包裝的情況下銷售。其中香檳産區更將率先改用紙質的酒帽，大家一向在開香檳時必須先要打開的那頂鋁箔帽，可能會逐漸消失。

WORLD'S BIGGEST BRANDY MAKER MANILA'S EMPERADOR DOUBLES DOWN ON ITS WHISKY SWITCH

NEWS 14-8-2023

Emperador said the extension at Invergordon Distillery is underway, allowing storage of an additional 1.5 million casks of maturing whisky.

KNIGHT FRANK: RARE WHISKY IS WORST PERFOMING LUXURY ASSET IN PAST YEAR

NEWS 11-8-2023

The latest Knight Frank Luxury Investment Index showed that rare whisky value has dropped 4%, The Macallan has even seen losses of almost 12%.

S. KOREAN GOV’T ALLOWS RETAILERS TO SELL ALCOHOL AT BELOW SUPPLY PRICE

NEWS 9-8-2023

South Korean government allows retailers to sell alcoholic drinks at prices lower than supply price in a desperate attempt to alleviate soaring retail prices.

WINE COULD BE NEXT AS BEIJING LIFTS PUNITIVE TARIFFS ON AUSSIE BARLEY

NEWS 7-8-2023

China's hefty tariffs on Australian wine imports could be the next to go after Beijing lifted punitive tariffs on Australian barley last Friday.

AUSSIE WINE EXPORTS DECLINED 10% IN VALUE DRIVEN BY USA & UK

NEWS 4-8-2023

Australian wine exports declined by 10 percent in value to AUD1.87 billion (USD1.25b) and 1 percent in volume to 621 million litres in the year ended June 2023.

KYODO: EXPORTS OF ALCOHOLIC DRINKS SUBJECT TO RADIATION TESTING BY CHINESE AUTHORITY

NEWS 2-8-2023

Kyodo News reported that Japanese alcoholic drinks exports are facing delays in Chinese customs possibly subject to radiation testing.

CHINA'S CHANGYU ALMOST BEAT MOET CHANDON TO BECOME WORLD'S MOST VALUABLE WINE BRAND

NEWS 31-7-2023

France’s Moët & Chandon marginally stays on as most valuable wine brand, China’s Changyu is a close second and is rated world’s strongest brand by Brand Finance.

JAPAN’S CHATEAU MERICAN MARIKO IS THE ONLY ASIAN WINERY NAMED 50 BEST VINEYARDS 2023

NEWS 28-7-2023

Japan’s Château Mercian Mariko is the only winery in Asia to have made to the World’s 50 Best Vineyards 2023.

S. KOREA: WHISKY IMPORTS HIT HISTORIC HIGH WHILE WINE IMPORTS DECLINED

NEWS 26-7-2023

Whisky imports in South Korea surged by 50.9 percent to historic high in the first half of this year, while wine imports contracted 10.8 percent.

HONG KONG'S COA NAMED ASIA'S BEST BAR 3rd TIME IN A ROW

NEWS 24-7-2023

Coa of Hong Kong has been named the best bar in Asia for the third year in a row by Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023 in a live ceremony held in Hong Kong.

SUNTORY RELEASED 4 LIMITED-EDITION WHISKIES TO MARK 100th ANNIVERSARY

NEWS 21-7-2023

Japan’s Suntory has announced the launch of limited-edition Yamazaki and Hakushu expressions in celebration of its 100th anniversary.

CHINA’S YANGHE DISTILLERY PROMOTED BAIJIU CULTURE IN FRANCE

NEWS 19-7-2023

China’s Yanghe Distillery, one of the leading baijiu producers, has recently taken a cultural trip to France to promote China’s baijiu culture.

FOREIGN JUDGES RETURNED TO JUDGE IN THE JAPAN WINE COMPETITION

NEWS 17-7-2023

Foreign judges have returned to judge in the Japan Wine Competition this year, after having been absent for four years due to the pandemic.

CARLSBERG CAUGHT IN DISPUTE WITH FORMER DISTRIBUTOR IN SOUTH KOREA

NEWS 14-7-2023

South Korea media reported that local distributor GoldenBlue has filed a complaint to fair trade authority against Carlsberg for unilaterally ending their contract.

WINE TOURISM TAKES OFF IN CHINA’S XINJIANG REGION

NEWS 12-7-2023

Wine cellars in China’s Xinjiang region are becoming popular tourist destinations as local authorities recently added them to recommended travel routes.

SAKURAO DISTILLERY TO RELEASE BLENDED WHISKIES FULLY COMPLIANT OF NEW REGULATIONS

NEWS 10-7-2023

The Sakurao Distillery in Hiroshima will release their inaugural blended whiskies from September which are made in compliance with the new Japanese whisky regulations.

CHIANTI WINE CONSORTIUM TOURED FOUR ASIAN COUNTRIES LAST MONTH

NEWS 7-7-2023

The Chianti Wine Consortium completed a multi-country tour in Asia last month, having visited Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and Thailand.

JAPAN'S WINE IMPORTS REACHED HISTORIC HIGHS IN BOTH VALUE & VOLUME IN 2022

NEWS 5-7-2023

Japan saw a 31.1 percent increase in the value of imported wines and an 8.9 percent rise in volume in 2022, setting new historic highs in both volume and value.

INDIA: PASSENGERS CAN NOW CARRY 2 BOTTLES OF ALCOHOL ON DELHI METRO

NEWS 3-7-2023

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has announced that passengers can now carry a maximum of two sealed alcohol bottles inside the metro trains.

A CHINESE COURT GAVE MAN ALCOHOL BAN ALONG WITH 3-YEAR SUSPENDED PRISON

NEWS 30-6-2023

A local court in China has given a man a three-year ban from consuming liquor after he inflicted injuries to a relative under the influence of alcohol.

BIDEN SERVED A NAPA RED WITH INDIAN HERITAGE TO VISITING INDIAN PM MODI

NEWS 28-6-2023

US President Joe Biden served a Napa red wine made by an Indian born former financier to the visiting Indian PM during the White House state dinner.

SEVEN ASIAN RESTAURANTS NAMED WORLD’S 50 BEST RESTAURANTS 2023

NEWS 26-6-2023

Seven restaurants in Asia made to the list of World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023. Japan has three, Thailand has two, while Singapore and Hong Kong each has one.

BILL GATES FOLLOWS SINGAPORE TO DEVELOP A BEER BREWED FROM SEWAGE

NEWS 23-6-2023

The Bill and Melissa Gates Foundation gave a grant to Epic Cleantec to develop water reuse and conservation technology, the company has produced this beer from wastewater.

SOUTH KOREA’S NARA CELLAR MAY BECOME FIRST WINE IMPORTER TO GO PUBLIC

NEWS 21-6-2023

Nara Cellar could become the first ever Korean wine import to go public if its floatation on the secondary Kosdaq market goes ahead as planned.

SINGAPORE AIRLINES ADDING 5 PREMIUM CHAMPAGNES TO FIRST CLASS MENU

NEWS 19-6-2023

Singapore Airlines, repeated winner of Best Cellar in Sky, is adding five premium Champagnes to its first class menu in a program dubbed “A Celebration of Champagne”.

IWSR: CHINA’S ALCOHOLIC DRINKS MARKET WILL GROW BY USD41BN IN NEXT 5 YEARS

NEWS 16-6-2023

IWSR Drinks Market Analysis has predicted China’s alcoholic drinks market to grow by USD41 billion in value between now and 2027 in its latest report.

ICHIRO’S OWNER VENTURE WHISKY TO BUILD NEW DISTILLERY IN HOKKAIDO

NEWS 14-6-2023

Venture Whisky, the owner of Ichiro's Malt whisky brand, will build a new distillery in Sapporo city with an annual capacity of 2.4 million litres.

MALAYSIA: GASTROMONTH 2023 NOW UNDERWAY IN KUALA LUMPER & PENANG

NEWS 12-6-2023

The inaugural GastroMonth 2023 is now underway in the Malaysian cities of Kuala Lumpur and Penang featuring more than 40 restaurants from the Michelin Guide.

THAI GOVERNMENT MULLING TAX HIKE ON LOW & NO DRINKS

NEWS 8-6-2023

The Thai government argued that alcoholic drinks brands are using their non-alcoholic versions to promote their parent brand, advertisements of alcohol are banned in Thailand.

JAPAN’S SAPPORO TO LAUNCH AI FORMULATED COCKTAIL NEXT MONTH

NEWS 7-6-2023

Japanese beer giant Sapporo has used artificial intelligence to formulate its latest chuhai (carbonated Japanese cocktail) product Called Otoko Ume Sour Salty Plum.

WINE TOURISM BOOM: INDIAN AIRLINE INDIGO INCREASED FLIGHT ROUTES TO NASHIK VALLEY

NEWS 6-6-2023

As wine tourism increases in popularity in India, Indian airline IndiGo has introduced 6 new flights to the country's prime wine region Nashik from 1 June 2023.

FORMER CHIEF BLENDER OF SUNTORY STARTED ONLINE MEMBER'S CLUB FOR JAPANESE WHISKIES

NEWS 5-6-2023

Suntory's former whisky chief blender, Seiichi Koshimizu, has set up an online whisky member's club for connoisseurs from around the world, annual membership fee is ¥5,500 (USD40).

不理多國反對　 愛爾蘭通過酒品須貼致癌警告

FOCUS 1-6-2023

新法例將於2026年5月全面實施，將是全球首個國家將管制香煙的嚴革要求，用於酒精飲品上。英國、美國、澳洲等國家已向世界貿易組織提出申訴，而意大利、西班牙及法國等歐盟葡萄酒生産國，也提出了抗議。

CHINESE BAIJIU DISTILLER KWEICHOW MOUTAI TO SET UP RMB10B TECH-FOCUSED INVESTMENT FUNDS

NEWS 31-5-2023

The leading baijiu distiller is to invest RMB10 billion (USD1.4b) to set up two investment funds with special focus on new technologies and materials.

ASIA’S BEST RESTAURANT WINNER CHEF TON OF BANGKOK IS OPENING NIRAS IN HK

NEWS 30-5-2023

After winning No.1 and No.3 spots in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023, Bangkok Chef Thitid “Ton” is opening a sister restaurant of his Le Du in Hong Kong next month.

INT’L CONFERENCE ON GRAPE & WINE WILL OPEN IN CHINA’S NINGXIA ON 9 JUNE

NEWS 29-5-2023

To be held in Ningxia’s capital city of Yinchuan from 9 to 10 June, the International Conference on Grape and Wine Industries will be attended by representatives from 47 wine-producing countries.

SUNTORY RELEASED SPECIAL LIMITED EDITIONS OF YAMAZAKI & HAKUSHU 18YO TO MARK 100th ANNIVERSARY

NEWS 25-5-2023

Japan’s Suntory has released limited editions of Yamazaki 18YO Mizunara and Hakushu 18YO Peated Malt to mark its 100th anniversary with RRP of USD1,500 and 1,200 respectively.

S. KOREA’S WHISKY IMPORTS UP 80% IN Q1 ON POPULARITY OF HIGHBALLS COCKTAIL

NEWS 24-5-2023

A total of 8,443 tons of whisky was imported in the first quarter, up 78.2 percent from a year before. It is the highest first-quarter number since data collection began in 2000.

WORLD’S MOST PRICEY ICE CREAM AT USD6,380 A SCOOP HAS SAKE LEES AS AN INGREDIENT

NEWS 23-5-2023

Verified by Guinness World Records as the most pricey, the base ice cream has white truffles and cheeses, topped off by sake lees, white truffle shavings, Parmigiano cheese, gold leaf and white truffle oil.

AUSSIE FM: ALBANESE’S BEIJING VISIT HINGES UPON PROGRESS ON WINE EXPORTS RESUMPTION

NEWS 22-5-2023

Australia's foreign minister Penny Wong said prime minister Anthony Albanese’s Beijing visit will not be scheduled unless there is progress on resolving trade disputes on wine with China.

VINEXPO ASIA TO OPEN IN SINGAPORE ON 23 MAY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ITS HISTORY

NEWS 19-5-2023

For the first time in Vinexpo Asia’s 25 years history, the event will be held in Singapore, instead of its normal host city Hong Kong, from 23 to 25 May 2023.

KUALA LUMPUR BAR CREATED A COCKTAIL NAMED AFTER OSCAR BEST ACTRESS MICHELLE YEOH

NEWS 18-5-2023

Created by Astor Bar at St. Regis Hotel of Kuala Lumpur, the cocktail has a clean and fresh style and was created during a tasting session with Yeoh herself.

WORLD'S BIGGEST BRANDY MAKER EMPERADOR OF MANILA PLANS WHISKY FACILITY IN CHINA

NEWS 17-5-2023

Emperador owns brandy brands like Fundador and Terry, it also owns Scot whisky brand Dalmore, the company is betting on the whisky segment and plans a facility in China.

JAPANESE BEERS FLYING OFF THE SHELVES IN S. KOREA AS “BOYCOTT JAPAN” SUBSIDES

NEWS 15-5-2023

Japanese beers are flying off the shelves in South Korea as relations of the two countries improved and the "boycott Japan" campaign since 2019 quickly subsided.

AUSSIE TRADE MINISTER IN BEIJING WITH FULL RESUMPTION OF TRADE IN MIND

NEWS 12-5-2023

Australian trade minister Don Farrell arrived in Beijing yesterday with high anticipation that China will soon lift the trade barriers that have sent Australian wine industry in disarray.

FLIPINO BEER SAN MIGUEL’S Q1 SALES SURGED 29% ON STELLAR GROWTH IN ASIAN MARKETS

NEWS 10-5-2023

Filipino beer maker San Miguel posted 29% growth with its beer sales reaching P38.3b (USD688m) in Q1, due to stellar performance in Philippines, Hong Kong, South China, Thailand and Vietnam.

PROWINE HONG KONG WILL OPEN TOMORROW ALONG WITH HOFEX SHOW

NEWS 9-5-2023

ProWine Hong Kong will open tomorrow along with food and hospitality show, HOFEX, for a 3-day exhibition featuring a myriad of international companies and country pavilions.

SEOUL: KOREAN STICKY RICE WINE WAS SERVED IN DINNER TO WELCOME JAPANESE PM

NEWS 8-5-2023

South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol served a traditional sticky rice wine to the visiting Japanese PM Fumio Kishida at the official dinner held last night.

CHINA'S CONSUMER SPENDING GREW 19% DURING MAY DAY HOLIDAY

NEWS 4-5-2023

China's Ministry of Commerce said sales from key retail and hospitality outlets jumped 18.9% on last year during the 5-day holiday, sales of alcohol and tobacco increased 15.1%.

PERNOD INDIA APPOINTS 2nd MD IN 4 MONTHS AMID SCANDALS & REGULATORY CHALLENGES

NEWS 3-5-2023

Jean Touboul was appointed as managing director of Pernod Ricard India to replace Paul-Robert Bouhier who resigned from the job after less than four months.

GLOBAL RELEASE OF 10YO YOICHI: JAPANESE WHISKIES WITH AGE STATEMENT ARE RETURNING

NEWS 2-5-2023

After 7 years of suspension, Japanese whisky producer Nikka is bringing back the Yoichi Single Malt 10YO label to the global market, heralding a return of age statements.

BIDEN SERVED NIXON’S BEIJING “TOAST OF PEACE” WINE TO S. KOREAN PRESIDENT YOON

NEWS 27-4-2023

A 2019 Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs was served in the state dinner yesterday honouring President Yoon, a 1969 vintage of the same wine was toasted by President Nixon to Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai at the historic “Toast of Peace” in 1972.

MAN IN CHINA HAD CHIP IMPLANT IN THE BRAIN TO KICK ALCOHOL ADDICTION

NEWS 26-4-2023

A man, 36, in China's Hunan province has become the first person to receive a chip implant in the brain to combat craving for alcohol after 15 years of serious addiction.

通脹因素　    波爾多2022期酒或漲價10%

FOCUS 25-4-2023

2022年份的波爾多期酒周展開之際，有大型酒莊認為，2022年份期酒價格肯定會上漲，極有可能上漲10%，才能抵銷通脹給酒莊帶來的成本壓力，而市場亦有可能會接受這個漲幅，但高於10%的漲幅，就很可能會令消費者吃不消。

OIV: WORLD WINE EXPORT VALUE TOP €37.6B ON INFLATION WHILE VOLUME DOWN 5% ON CHINA FATIGUE

NEWS 24-4-2023

Volume of global wine exports dropped 5% in 2022 driven by a 21% drop in China’s wine imports, while value reached a record high of €37.6bn pushed by high inflation.

S'PORE BUSINESSMAN FINED USD123,300 & JAILED 6 WEEKS FOR SELLING WINES & SPIRITS TO N.KOREA

NEWS 20-4-2023

Owner of Rejo Beverages was sentenced for knowingly supplied SGD1.7 million worth of wines and spirits to a company which then shipped them to North Korea, violating UN sanctions.

AT LEAST 31 DIED AFTER DRINKING ILLICIT LIQUOR IN DRY INDIAN STATE OF BIHAR

NEWS 19-4-2023

Toxic moonshine has killed at least 31 people in the eastern Indian state of Bihar where alcohol is banned. Only 5 months ago, 37 were killed by bootleg in the same state.

50 SETS OF 3-BOTTLED KARUIZAWA SINGLE MALTS AVAILABLE AT USD50,000 PER SET

NEWS 18-4-2023

Named “Acclaim – The Karuizawa Whisky Stage”, each set includes three 700-ml bottles of whiskies distilled by the ghost Karuizawa Distillery between 1999 and 2000.

CHINESE BAIJIU BRAND ZHEN JIU TO RAISE USD812M IN HONG KONG IPO

NEWS 17-4-2023

Producer of Chinese baijiu brand Zhen Jiu, ZJLD Group, is seeking to raise up to USD811.5m from an IPO which will be the largest in Hong Kong this year.

THE BUSIEST EVER CHINA FOOD & DRINKS FAIR OPENED IN CHENGDU

NEWS 13-4-2023

This year's Chengdu show opened yesterday with record breaking 6,517 exhibitors, 320,000 sqm show area and over 300,000 expected visitors.

AUSSIE FM: WINE WILL BE NEXT AS END TO BARLEY DISPUTE WITH CHINA IS IN SIGHT

NEWS 12-4-2023

China launched a review over barley duties as Canberra withdrew its complaint to WTO, Aussie Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she will look into wines next.

CHINA’S ADMISSION TO OIV & BURGUNDY’S G.I. PROTECTION INCLUDED IN XI-MACRON JOINT STATEMENT

NEWS 11-4-2023

China will speed up approval of Burgundy's GI protection while France promised to support China joining the International Organisation of Vine and Wine.

BEACON FOR RARE & EXCLUSIVE: DIAGEO OPENED WHISKY BOUTIQUE IN HAIKOU DUTY FREE COMPLEX

NEWS 5-4-2023

Global drinks giant Diageo has opened a whisky boutique at Haikou International Duty Free Shopping Complex in China’s Hainan island, showcasing its luxurious Scotch whisky portfolio.

CHINESE DELEGATION IN SCOTLAND STUDY TRIP TO HELP SHAPE OWN WHISKY REGULATIONS

NEWS 4-4-2023

A delegation from Chinese Alcoholic Drinks Association visited Scotland last week and had met with leaders from Scotch Whisky Association and Scotch Whisky Research Institute.

KWEICHOW MOUTAI & WULIANGYE NAMED MOST VALUABLE OF ALL BRANDS IN CHINA

NEWS 3-4-2023

Chinese baijiu brands Kweichow Moutai and Wuliangye were named top two most valuable of all brands in China by Hurun Brands List 2022, while Guojiao 1573 won 9th place.

意大利葡萄酒聯盟涉嫌虛假招標     被沒收兩百萬歐元歐盟資助

FOCUS 30-3-2023

意大利葡萄酒聯盟 (Unione Italiana Vini) 涉嫌以虛假招標，給予承標公司Veronafiere推廣本土葡萄品種的合同，並收取35%承標金額作為回報，日前被意大利米蘭審計院沒收兩百萬歐元來自歐盟的資助。

BEST RESTAURANT IN ASIA AWARDS 2023: BANGKOK CHEF WON NO.1 & NO.3 SPOTS

NEWS 29-3-2023

Bangkok chef Thitid Tassanakajohn’s Le Du restaurant was named Best Restaurant in Asia 2023, his Nusara restaurant was crowned No.3.

IJW WHISKEY OF USA TO BUILD 165,000SQM DISTILLERY IN JAPAN'S HOKKAIDO

NEWS 28-3-2023

The distillery will have column stills for distillation and vast storage areas for maturation, production is expected to start as early as next year.

VINEXPOSIUM CEO: VINEXPO ASIA COULD RETURN TO HONG KONG AS EARLY AS 2024

NEWS 27-3-2023

Vinexpo Asia will return after a 4-year hiatus to Singapore in May, the organiser said they will explore alternating between Singapore and Hong Kong as early as next year.

JAPANESE AND S. KOREAN LEADERS BONDED OVER BEER, SOJU AND SWEET POTATO LIQUOR DURING STATE VISIT

NEWS 24-3-2023

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida bonded over alcoholic drinks in a private restaurant during Yoon's state visit to Japan last Thursday.

ITALY IS COUNTRY OF HONOUR IN HAINAN'S CONSUMER PRODUCTS EXPO TO OPEN ON 11 APRIL

NEWS 23-3-2023

Preparation for the 3rd China International Consumer Products Expo is in full swing with exhibits from Italy started to arrive.

HONG KONG: THE MACALLAN SHOWCASED 77YO ALONG WITH THE RED COLLECTION

NEWS 22-3-2023

Macallan fans can now view the Red Collection including the latest added 77YO in Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre during the Art Basel show.

WHISKY SALES BEAT SOJU IN S. KOREA AS HIGHBALLS COCKTAIL ROCKS

NEWS 20-3-2023

Sales of whisky in South Korea’s largest discount store Emart exceeded that of Soju in January and February 2023, riding on the popularity of the highballs cocktail.

SUNTORY TO INVEST USD180M TO BUILD A 500,000-BARREL WHISKY STORAGE IN SCOTLAND

NEWS 16-3-2023

A maturation facility with 70,000 sq m of storage space will be built in a site in Kingswell, 22km to the Southwest of Glasgow, if the the company gets approval.

INDIAN CRAFT BREWER BIRA 91 SECURED USD10M FROM JAPAN’S MUFG BANK

NEWS 15-3-2023

This the second substantial investment on Bira 91 from Japan, beer giant Kirin invested USD70m last November. The young brewer will further expand its production and innovation. 

CHINA DFG'S BIDS FOR DUTY FREE LICENCE IN INCHEON CAUSED CONCERN FROM S.KOREAN OPERATORS

NEWS 14-3-2023

CDFG is the only foreign company having submitted bids for the tender, other bidders include domestic giants like Lotte, Shilla, Shinsegae and Hyundai Duty Free.

INDIA LIQUOR MAKERS LOBBIED FOR MINIMAL CONCESSIONS IN UK FREE TRADE DEAL

NEWS 13-3-2023

Rattled by the speedy growth of Scotch whisky imports, the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies asked New Delhi to tread carefully on offering concessions to the UK.

CHINA PROPOSED CHANGES TO LABELLING STANDARDS ON ALCOHOLIC DRINKS

NEWS 10-3-2023

China has published draft regulations on domestic alcohol products' labelling , with an emphasis on protecting formula secrets while maintaining food safety standards.

S. KOREAN GOV'T ATTEMPTS TO SLOW LIQUOR PRICE HIKES AS PSYCHOLOGICAL LIMIT LOOMS

NEWS 9-3-2023

South Korean government puts pressure on liquor manufacturers to slow price hikes for Soju and beer as prices expected to breach limits the community is prepared to bear.

轟動西班牙名酒失竊案　墨西哥選美皇后被判入獄4年

FOCUS 8-3-2023

轟動一時的西班牙名酒失竊案有了裁決，29歲的前墨西哥選美皇后Priscilla Lara Guevara被判4年徒刑，她47歲的羅馬尼亞裔男同黨Constantin Golubic則被判4年半，兩人並要向被盗的Atrio酒店賠償75.4萬歐元。

波爾多宣布拔藤9500公頃　資助總額5700萬歐元低於業界要求

FOCUS 6-3-2023

面對波爾多葡萄酒供應過剩，産區證實已跟法國政府達成協議，資助葡萄種植者拔去約9,500公頃的藤蔓，每公頃可獲資助約6,000歐元，而種植者的集體要求卻是每公頃約1萬歐元。

JAPAN: PRICE OF IMPORTED WINES DROPPED 1.7% WHEN FIZZY DRINKS UP 16.7%

NEWS 2-3-2023

As Japan's inflation hit 41-year high in January, the price of imported wines dropped 1.7% while some non-alcoholic drinks saw double digit price hikes.

PERNOD INDIA CAUGHT IN POLITICAL STORM AS OPPOSITION LEADER ARRESTED IN DELHI EXCISE CASE

NEWS 1-3-2023

India federal police arrested Manish Sisodia, deputy chief of Delhi city and leader of opposition Aam Aadmi Party, in the Delhi excise case involving liquor giant Pernod Ricard.

SINGAPORE AIRLINES NAMED “BEST CELLAR IN THE SKY” AGAIN

NEWS 28-2-2023

Singapore Airlines won five gold medals, including Best Overall Cellar, in the just announced “Cellars in the Sky Awards 2022”, while Qantas won three gold medals.

HK & CANADA'S LOUIS LATOUR RECALLS CAST DOUBT ON BOTTLE SAFETY AMID GLASS SHORTAGE

NEWS 27-2-2023

Hong Kong authority recalls a Louis Latour Chablis product while Canada has earlier recalled a Pinot Noir from Louis Latour, both due to safety issues related to glass.

JAPAN’S SUNTORY ANNOUNCED GLOBAL RELEASE OF ITS WORLD BLEND “AO” WHISKY

NEWS 23-2-2023

Blended from whiskies from five countries, Ao is now available in global markets including USA, Canada, Taiwan, Singapore and South Korea at suggested retail price of USD104.95.

THAI CRAFT BREWERS TO HOLD "BIGGEST EVER" BEER EVENT IN MARCH

NEWS 22-2-2023

More than 200 Thai home-grown craft brewers will gather for the inaugural Beer People Festival on 11 to 12 March, the show is billed as Thailand’s “biggest craft beer event ever.”

REUTERS: INVESTIGATION AGENCY ALLEGED PERNOD RICARD INDIA OF MORE WRONG-DOINGS

NEWS 21-2-2023

Reuters said India's finance crime agency has made additional accusations of conspiring to take control of Delhi city’s liquor retails and illegally making USD23m of profits.

WINE SCAM FUGITIVE ARRESTED BY SINGAPORE AFTER 15 YEARS ON THE RUN

NEWS 20-2-2023

Dominic Sim Kwok Sng, director of Universal Assets Group, was accused of selling counterfeit wines to investors in 2008 and then defaulted on the promised returns.

JAPAN'S SUNTORY ANNOUNCED 3rd PRICE HIKE IN A YEAR, UP 19-22% IN MAY

NEWS 16-2-2023

Japan’s drinks giant Suntory announced that it will increase prices of their canned and bottled products in Japan by 19 to 22 percent effective from 1 May 2023.

TWE CEO: AT LEAST 3 YEARS TO FULL RECOVERY IN CHINA POST TRADE FEUD

NEWS 15-2-2023

Tim Ford, who will visit China next month, said a full recovery of TWE’s China business will take at least three years after the punitive tariffs have been lifted.

S. KOREAN GOV'T PUBLISHED AN ENGLISH BOOK TO FEATURE TRADITIONAL LIQUORS

NEWS 14-2-2023

On top of the well known Soju, the book also features Munbaeju – a grain spirit with pear aroma; Gamhongno – a light pink liquor with herbs; and Makgeolli – a milky and fizzy sweet rice wine.

INDIA OVERTOOK FRANCE TO BECOME SCOTCH WHISKY'S BIGGEST EXPORT MARKET BY VOLUME

NEWS 13-2-2023

Export value of Scotch whisky reached GBP 6.2 billion in 2022, India overtook France to become its biggest country market by volume, and the Asia-Pacific its most valuable regional market.

SUNTORY TO RENOVATE YAMAZAKI & HAKUSHU DISTILLERIES TO MARK 100th ANNIVERSARY

NEWS 9-2-2023

Suntory said the JPY10 billion renovation project will complete in Autumn this year and will improve the crafting process as well as visitors' experience.

KIRIN: CHINA & ASIA TOPPED WORLD BEER CONSUMPTION CHART

NEWS 8-2-2023

China was world's biggest beer consumer for the 19th year in 2021, drinking 20.5% of global consumption, while Asia consumed 31.4%, according to Kirin's latest Global Beer Consumption Report.

法國再次補貼蒸餾以去庫存　危機委員會研究拔藤方案

FOCUS 7-2-2023

法國農業部昨日表示，將向葡萄酒業提供1.6億歐元的補貼，協助酒商把過剩的葡萄酒産量蒸餾成酒精，幫助業界面對當前的市場寒冬。農業部並表示，已在波爾多成立一個危機委員會，以研究包括拔藤在內的長期措施，以解決嚴重的供過於求問題。

AUSSIE WINE SECTOR BANKS ON TRADE MINISTER’S CHINA VISIT TO SAVE CURRENT VINTAGE

NEWS 6-2-2023

Australia’s Trade Minister Don Farrell has accepted invitation from his Chinese counterpart Wang Wentao to visit China in the near future during a video meeting held today.

S. KOREA: EXPORTS OF SOJU INCREASED 13.2% IN 2022, RIDING ON POPULARITY OF K-POPS

NEWS 2-2-2023

Korea Customs Service's data showed that value of Soju exports reached USD93.3m in 2022, rising from USD82.4m in 2021 as the traditional Korean liquor goes global.

西班牙酒充法國名釀　 波爾多酒商判監禁兩年罰款百萬歐元

FOCUS 1-2-2023

法國波爾多刑事法院，上周四判處利用西班牙酒假冒法國名釀的欺詐案件，涉案五人總共被判罰款166萬歐元，兩名主要被告更被判20及24個月監禁，以及五年內不能經營葡萄酒業務。

AIR INDIA BANS IN-FLIGHT CONSUMPTION OF OWN ALCOHOL, CREWS CAN STOP ALCOHOL SERVICE

NEWS 31-1-2023

Due to incidences of anti-social behaviours, Air India has revised its in-flight alcohol policy, passengers cannot consume their own alcohol and cabin crew can refuse serving when needed.

CHINA LIFTED BAN ON 63 TAIWAN EXPORTERS INCLUDING KINMEN KAOLIANG LIQUOR

NEWS 30-1-2023

China has lifted suspension of shipments from 63 Taiwanese companies including the maker of Kinmen Kaoliang, a Taiwanese baijiu, after a a bi-lateral meeting over the weekend.

REPORT: TONS OF WINE & SPIRITS LEFT CHINA TO N. KOREA AHEAD OF FESTIVITIES NEXT MONTH

NEWS 26-1-2023

The Seoul-based Daily NK reported that many freight trains left China to North Korea in January carrying tons of wines, whiskies and vodka ahead of two important festivals.

AUSTRALIA RESTRICTS ALCOHOL SALES IN NORTHERN TERRITORY AMID CRIME SURGE

NEWS 25-1-2023

Takeaway alcohol sales will be banned on Mondays and Tuesdays, while sales will be restricted between 3 to 7pm on other days and only one purchase per customer per day.

SHARE PRICE OF INDIA’S SULA VINEYARDS ROSE 33% IN 10 DAYS ON STRONG SALES GROWTH

NEWS 23-1-2023

Share price of India’s leading winery Sula Vineyards has witnessed a sharp rise of 33 percent since it reported strong business growth in the December quarter.

SOUTH KOREA'S WINE IMPORTS HIT ALL-TIME-HIGH AT USD581M IN 2022

NEWS 19-1-2023

South Korea's wine imports increased 3.83% by value hitting all-time-high last year, by volume it fell 7.25%, indicating that the country has imported more premium wines.

歐洲續有名酒失竊　奧地利酒商挪威餐廳共失近千瓶珍藏

FOCUS 18-1-2023

去年底再有位於歐洲的名貴餐廳及酒商的藏酒，成為盗賊的偷竊對象。奧地利酒商Kracher Fine Wine及挪威的Park 29餐廳，共被盗走近千瓶名貴葡萄酒，包括頂級勃艮第、波爾多及加州葡萄酒，損失仍在估算當中。

DIAGEO TO ACQUIRE FILIPINO PREMIUM RUM BRAND DON PAPA FOR UP TO EUR437.5M

NEWS 17-1-2023

Don Papa rum is distilled and aged on the Filipino island of Negros Occidental, it is available in 30 countries, with France, Germany and Italy being its largest markets.

PERNOD INDIA ALLEGEDLY BOOSTED MARKET SHARE BY PROVIDING FINANCIAL BACKING TO RETAILERS

NEWS 16-1-2023

Investigators alleged that Pernod Ricard India has provided banking guarantees to select retailers, in exchange for 35% Pernod product stocks in their shops.

CHINA EXTENDS PUNITIVE TARIFFS ON USA DISTILLER’S DRIED GRAINS FOR 5 YEARS

NEWS 12-1-2023

China's Ministry of Commerce announced yesterday that it will extend the anti-dumping and anti-subsidy tariffs on distiller's dried grains from the USA for another five years.

CHINESE DIPLOMAT: AUSSIE WINE TARIFF NEGOTIATIONS GOING ON IN GENEVA

NEWS 11-1-2023

Chinese ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian said Chinese negotiators in Geneva have proposed to Australia to drop complaints with WTO and seek bilateral solution to the issue.

HONG KONG WINE & SPIRITS FAIR OPENS TODAY AS THE CITY'S TRADE SHOWS REVIVE

NEWS 10-1-2023

Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair opens today as the city’s government is keen to tell the world that Hong Kong is opened for business again.

CHINESE LUXURY SHOPPERS RETURNED TO DUTY-FREE HAINAN ISLAND IN DROVES

NEWS 9-1-2023

Average daily sales of duty-free goods during the New Year holiday have reached RMB140 million, just 3 weeks after COVID restrictions were lifted.

THAI CRAFT BREWERS HIT BY NEW STEALTH BARRIERS FOR PRODUCTION LICENCES

NEWS 5-1-2023

Despite having removed capital and capacity barriers for production licences, the Thai government requires small producers to provide environmental impact reports that are very hard to get.

INDIAN CAPITAL CITY NEW DELHI'S FESTIVE LIQUOR SALE HIT NEW HIGH

NEWS 4-1-2023

The highest daily liquor sale was recorded on New Year’s eve when 2.03m bottles worth USD5.46m were sold.

DUBAI SCRAPPED 30% ALCOHOL TAX AND MADE PERSONAL LIQUOR LICENCE FREE

NEWS 3-1-2023