Accolade Wines has become the first company to have a portfolio inclusive of all the major New World wine regions, following its latest purchase of Chilean supplier, Viña Anakena. The wine business now has a presence in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, North America and South America, making it one of the largest in the world. Located in the cool foothills of the Andes Mountains, south of the capital of Chile, ...

Ahead of the anticipated release of 007 SPECTRE this November in Australia and in collaboration with the 24th Bond adventure, Belvedere Vodka has released Belvedere 007 SPECTRE limited edition bottles. The special edition bottle features the iconic gun barrel and 007 gun logo. Available from October from Moët-Hennessy Australia, the collector’s item will be released in 70cl, 75cl, 1L and 1.75L. In addition, Belvedere has applied cutting edge, metallic aesthetic ...

The Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce, has announced the names of four new Directors of the Australian Grape and Wine Authority (AGWA). The new directors are Mr. David Dearie, Managing Director of Eastwind Consulting and former CEO of Treasury Wine Estates; Mr. Keith Todd, General Manager Global Operations, Accolade Wines; Ms. Mary Retallack, Managing Director of Retallack Viticulture; and Mr. Edouard Peter, Chairman of Duxton Capital Singapore. The four will ...

Teeling Whiskey Company has begun exporting Irish single malt whiskey from its new Dublin distillery; the newest distillery to be built in the capital of Ireland in 125 years. The new distillery was opened to meet growing demand as the category faces revival for the first time since the declines of the late 19th century. The opening will ensure that Teeling Whiskey Company has complete control over production in Ireland. ...

The national association for cider and perry producers, Cider Australia, has released a public petition calling on government to apply its new “country of origin labelling” laws to cider. If brought into effect, the new laws would mean that every cider in Australia would need to state the where the apples or pears have been sourced from. Cider Australia President, Sam Reid, said the petition aims to prove to the government ...

Following the launch of the WSET Level 3 Award in Sake in Australia last month, Sydney Wine Academy has introduced a three-day short course, hoping to extend the reach to those who are unable to commit to the usual period of 8 weeks. The new course will begin on October 19, running until October 21 in Sydney and will follow the same curriculum as the eight-week course. Launched in response ...

Following the announcement on Wednesday that the JCI/Proximo portfolio will transition to island2island Beverage Company (i2i), Think Spirits founder and Managing Director Patrick Borg made comment, speaking of the news as well as the work his team has done in getting the brands, in particular Kraken Rum, to the position they are in today. “We have been very fortunate and have been very proud to have represented the Jose Cuervo International portfolio ...

Australian producers have dazzled judges at this year’s Perth Royal Wine Show, with 26 Major Trophies awarded to top winemakers across the country. On the back of three Trophies and 19 Medals, Houghton was awarded the show’s 2015 Bill Jamieson Trophy for Most Successful Western Australian Exhibitor. Houghton received the Trophy alongside The Royal Agricultural Society of WA Trophy for Best Dry Red Table Wine and Best Dry White Table ...

Proximo Spirits/Jose Cuervo International brands (JCI) has ended its partnership with Think Spirits in Australia. The split will see major brands including Jose Cuervo, 1800 Tequila, Gran Centenario Tequila, Agavero Liqueur and The Kracken Black Spiced Rum leave Think Spirits’ portfolio. Proximo/JCI and Think Spirits partnered back in 2011 and secured the rights to the Jose Cuervo portfolio from Diageo in 2013. Instead, it has been confirmed that island2island Beverage Company ...

New Zealand craft brewer, Monteith’s Brewing Company has released its latest beer, Pointers Pale Ale. Inspired by the two stars explorers used to navigate their way to the West Coast of New Zealand in search of gold - ‘the Pointers’ - drinkers too will find a drop of gold in this unique brew. Using Kiwi hops, Pointers is Monteith’s New Zealand take on the Australian style of beer. Hops - ...