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1 week ago | 
thedrinksbusiness.com | James Bayley
The iconic Berkeley-based wine merchant chooses Marin, San Francisco for his long-awaited second retail venture. The new shop will reflect Lynch’s signature style, with an emphasis on European terroir-driven wines. After more than half a century, the name Kermit Lynch (pictured) is finally appearing above a second storefront.
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1 week ago | 
thedrinksbusiness.com | James Bayley
The UK’s new inventory of living traditions could bring increased recognition and protection to iconic drinks like gin, whisky and cask ale, as communities nominate local traditions for UNESCO recognition.
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1 week ago | 
thedrinksbusiness.com | James Bayley
Visitor numbers and exhibitor figures rose at this year’s London Wine Fair, but organisers say domestic representation still lags. English wine producers are set to take centre stage in 2026, with a record presence already confirmed. London Wine Fair 2025 concluded with notable gains across key metrics. Total visitor numbers reached 9,741, a 5% increase on 2024, while exhibitor figures rose by 10% to 445. Floor space uptake also grew by 20%.
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1 week ago | 
thedrinksbusiness.com | James Bayley
The international drinks trade was stirred last week by suggestions that Saudi Arabia, a nation historically dry both in climate and consumption, might soon ease its longstanding prohibition on alcohol. However, a Saudi official moved swiftly yesterday (Monday) to dismiss reports that the kingdom was planning to lift its 73-year-old ban, calling the speculation unfounded.
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2 weeks ago | 
thedrinksbusiness.com | James Bayley
New research reveals that the hospitality sector now has the lowest hourly pay of any UK industry. Despite contributing £93 billion to the economy in 2023, hospitality wages have fallen 10% in the past year. According to the latest ONS data analysed by money.co.uk’s business bank accounts team, the sector has slipped to the bottom of the national wage ladder, offering a median hourly pay of just £12.39, a mere 18 pence above the national living wage.
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2 weeks ago | 
thedrinksbusiness.com | James Bayley
The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority has reprimanded three major drinks companies for breaching alcohol advertising codes on social media. Each ruling highlights the growing tension between digital marketing strategies and the ethical boundaries of responsible alcohol promotion. It was a short, sharp post — “SEND IT” — and an image of a man dramatically pouring an 8.4% ABV can of FourLoko into his open mouth from above.
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2 weeks ago | 
thedrinksbusiness.com | James Bayley
One of India’s biggest spirits producers, United Spirits, has posted a resilient set of fourth-quarter and full-year results, with CEO Praveen Someshwar striking a confident note despite operating in what he called a “challenging demand environment”. The business continues to push ahead with premiumisation and productivity, both vital as consumer confidence wavers and inflationary pressures linger across key inputs. Premiumisation remains central to United Spirits’ strategy.
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3 weeks ago | 
thedrinksbusiness.com | James Bayley
Corona has been crowned the world’s most valuable beer brand for the second consecutive year, according to Kantar’s 2025 BrandZ Global report. The accolade comes as the brand celebrates its centenary, bolstered by notable global growth and the rising success of its alcohol-free offshoot, Corona Cero. The report confirms that eight of the world’s top 10 beer brands are now owned by AB InBev, with Budweiser ranked second, Modelo fourth and Michelob ULTRA fifth.
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1 month ago | 
thedrinksbusiness.com | James Bayley
Global drinks giant Diageo is facing a new legal challenge over the purity of two of its most celebrated tequila brands, Casamigos and Don Julio. A class-action lawsuit filed May 5 in the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York alleges that Diageo has been deceptively labelling these tequilas as “100% agave” when they allegedly contain significant amounts of alcohol from other sources.
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1 month ago | 
thedrinksbusiness.com | James Bayley
Wine industry veteran Robin Copestick steps into a strategic role at Packamama as the climate tech company scales up. His appointment signals a fresh chapter for sustainable innovation in wine packaging. Robin Copestick (pictured) has joined the board of Packamama as non-executive director, bringing more than 30 years of experience in building global wine brands and championing sustainable change.
