The Wine Chronicle《品醇集》

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

Dubai has scrapped a 30% sales tax on alcohol and made licences to keep alcohol at home free of charge, in a move to attract more foreign tourists and businesses.

THAILAND BANS ALCOHOL IN GIFT HAMPERS

NEWS 30-12-2022

It is illegal to include alcohol in gift hampers in Thailand, offenders can face imprisonment of up to six months and a fine of Baht10,000 (USD290).

SOUTH KOREA’S HANWHA GROUP ACQUIRED SEVEN STONES WINERY IN NAPA FOR USD34M

NEWS 29-12-2022

The industrial conglomerate is hoping to strengthen the competitiveness of its resort business by acquiring Seven Stones in California of USA.

SOUTH AFRICAN WINES EXPANDING RATHER QUICKLY IN JAPAN

NEWS 28-12-2022

South African wine has been growing at around 3 percent annually over the past 10 years in Japan, much faster than the 1 percent annual growth of Japan’s wine market.

TWE CEO TIM FORD PLANNING CHINA VISIT AS BILATERAL TRADE EXPECTED TO RESUME IN 2023

NEWS 22-12-2022

Australian CEOs including Treasury Wine Estates’ Tim Ford are optimistic about resumption of trade relations with China in 2023, Ford is planning to visit China next year.

LI KA-SHING BRANDED AS SCROOGE BY STRIKING WORKERS OF UK PUB CHAIN GREENE KING

NEWS 21-12-2022

UK's Unite Union said the pay rise offer to workers of Greene King, owned by Li Ka-shing's CK Assets Holdings, is “a scrooge pay deal”.

INTER-RHONE OPENED SHANGHAI REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE TO UP PROMOTION IN CHINA

NEWS 19-12-2022

French Rhone Valley’s wine marketing board, Inter-Rhone, has opened a representative office in Shanghai to crank up promotion in China.

US MINISTRY SEES PHILIPPINES AS ONE OF MOST EXCITING MARKETS FOR WINE EXPORTS

NEWS 15-12-2022

The US Department of Agriculture said in a report that the Philippines is one of the most exciting wine markets, where export value of US wines will reach USD70 million in 2025.

AB INBEV TO INVEST USD60M TO EXPAND BREWERY IN INDIA’S MYSURU CITY

NEWS 14-12-2022

Owner of the Budweiser brand is planning to invest INR5 billion (USD60.6million) to expand production of its brewery in Mysuru in India’s Karnataka state.

SEOUL FINED PERNOD RICARD KOREA USD0.7M FOR HANDING OUT ILLEGAL REBATES

NEWS 13-12-2022

South Korea's Fair Trade Commission said the local units of the French spirits giant have given illegal rebates of USD46.7m to hospitality establishments from 2010 to 2020.

CHINA SUSPENDS IMPORTS OF TAIWANESE LIQUORS & BEERS WORTH USD33M

NEWS 12-12-2022

Citing failure by suppliers to comply with new registration system, China blocked shipments of Taiwanese brands including Kavalan Whisky, Taiwan beer and Kinmen Kaoling.

JAPAN BECAME MOST VALUABLE EXPORT MARKET FOR AMERICAN WHISKEY

NEWS 9-12-2022

Japan has become the most valuable export market for American whiskey last year on the backdrop of tariff spat between USA and European Union.

市場萎縮絕望　波爾多酒農示威要求補貼拔藤

FOCUS 8-12-2022

法國波爾多産區的酒農，星期二罕有地走上街頭示威，要求政府給予種植者每公頃1萬歐元的資助，拔去區內十分一共約10.8萬公頃的藤蔓種植面積，以協助業界面對當前的需求暴跌問題，讓行業得以渡過市場寒冬。

THE MACALLAN OPENS LARGEST DUTY FREE BOUTIQUE IN CHINA’S HAINAN ISLAND

NEWS 29-11-2022

Leading Scotch maker The Macallan has opened its fifth and largest travel retail boutique in the Chinese island of Hainan in partnership with China Duty Free Group.

伯恩濟貧院拍賣　總統桶得主鬧出羅生門

FOCUS 28-11-2022

伯恩濟貧院（Hospices de Beaune）拍賣會周前舉行，最重要的總統桶據報由多家酒莊合力以81萬歐元投得，但近日捐贈總統桶的Maison Louis Latour，卻發聲明稱自己連同友好的Joseph Drouhin，才是總統桶的購買者，事件十分耐人尋味。

AFTER WHISKY, VIETNAMESE COLLECTOR NOW OWNS MOST VALUABLE COGNAC COLLECTION AS WELL

NEWS 24-11-2022

Guinness World Records confirmed that Viet Nguyen Dinh Tuan, owner of world's most valuable Whisky collection, also owns most valuable Cognac collection worth USD22.7 million.

CHINESE BAIJIU WULIANGYE SERVED IN APEC SUMMIT ATTENDED BY XI, MACRON & HARRIS

NEWS 23-11-2022

Wuliangye is a platinum sponsor of APEC CEO Summit 2022, the distiller is keen to promote itself globally and take Chinese baijiu to international market.

JAPANESE BREWER KIRIN LED USD70M INVESTMENT IN INDIAN CRAFT BEER BIRA 91

NEWS 22-11-2022

Bira 91 is a beer brand targeting India's young generation, Kirin is hoping that Indian young consumers will help sustain its revenue growth amid consumption declines in Japan.

BUDWEISER: WORLD CUP WINNER TO GET OVERSUPPLIED BUDS AFTER LAST MINUTE BAN

NEWS 21-11-2022

After the last minute alcohol ban announced by FIFA last Friday, Budweiser said in a cheeky post that the winner of World Cup 2022 will get the oversupplied Buds.

WORLD CUP 2022: GLASS OF BEER COSTS USD13, ONLY HOSPITALITY GUESTS GET WINES & SPIRITS

NEWS 17-11-2022

Budweiser is the only choice of beer during World Cup and costs USD13 a glass, hospitality packages are needed for wine and spirit with price tags range from USD950 to 34,300.

G20 SUMMIT: BALINESE ARAK PRESENTED AS ARTISANAL LIQUOR TO WORLD LEADERS

NEWS 16-11-2022

Balinese Arak is named an Indonesian intangible cultural heritage, it has been handed out to world leaders and delegates attending the G20 Summit as souvenirs.

JAPANESE NEW WINES SET TO SQUEEZE BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU’S MARKET IN JAPAN

NEWS 15-11-2022

Japanese retailers are actively marketing Japan’s domestic new wines, as retail price for France's Beaujolais Nouveau is predicted to increase by up to 120 percent.

TOP SOJU MAKER HITEJINRO ENTERED S. KOREA PREMIUM WINE MARKET WITH JINRO RED WINE

NEWS 14-11-2022

The first Jinro red wine was jointly developed with Sicilian family winery Carlo Peligrino, it has robust fruit flavour and long finish to suit the Korean palate.

INDIA: PERNOD RICARD EXECUTIVE ARRESTED IN DELHI LIQUOR EXCISE POLICY CASE

NEWS 10-11-2022

Benoy Babu, international brands general manager of Pernod Ricard India, was arrested today in connection with alleged irregularities in the excise policy of Delhi city government.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S GREAT SOUTHERN REGION SHOWCASES FOOD & WINES IN SINGAPORE

NEWS 9-11-2022

A trade mission of more than 50 members from the wine, food and tourism sectors of the Great Southern region in Western Australia are in Singapore for a three-day visit.

西班牙再有餐廳酒窖失竊　損失20萬歐元藏酒

FOCUS 8-11-2022

西班牙再次發生高級餐廳酒窖被盜事件，位於首都馬德里的兩星餐廳Coque de Madrid，日前被盜走132瓶名貴葡萄酒，估計價值20萬歐元。西班牙警方相信，賊人極可能曾經以顧客身份進入酒窖內視察環境。

30,000 BOTTLES OF PENFOLDS AMONG HKD300M SMUGGLED GOODS BUSTED IN HONG KONG

NEWS 7-11-2022

This is Hong Kong's largest smuggling case this year, Australian wines smuggled into China through Hong Kong will be able to evade China's punitive tariffs of about 200%.

VINITALY CHINA ROADSHOW RETURNS NEXT WEEK TO SHANGHAI, NANNING & SHENZHEN

NEWS 3-11-2022

The fifth edition of Vinitaly China Roadshow will take place from 10 to 14 November 2022 in the Chinese cities of Shanghai, Nanning and Shenzhen.

THAI GOV’T REMOVED ENTRY BARRIERS TO LIQUOR PRODUCTION AHEAD OF PARLIAMENT DELIBERATION

NEWS 2-11-2022

The minimum capital and capacity requirements for liquor production have been removed, making it easier for small-scale Thai brewers and distillers to get licences.

BEST CELLAR IN SKY: SINGAPORE AIRLINES NO LONGER SERVES DOM PERIGNON CHAMPAGNE

NEWS 1-11-2022

Singapore Airlines, winner of Best Cellars in the Sky Awards 2021, will no longer offer Dom Pérignon champagne to its suites and first class passengers from today.

APEC SUMMIT 2022: DOMESTIC THAI WINES WILL BE SERVED TO WORLD LEADERS

NEWS 31-10-2022

Wines produced by Thai wineries GranMonte and Monsoon Valley will be served to political and business leaders during APEC Summit 2022 to be held in Bangkok next month.

TOKYO: 4-DAY ALCOHOL BAN STARTS TODAY IN SHIBUYA TO AVOID HALLOWEEN DISORDER

NEWS 28-10-2022

The alcohol ban will start at 6pm and end at 5am from today until 31 October in areas around Shibuya Station, to avoid chaos that marred Halloween celebrations in 2018.

HONG KONG TO HAND OUT HKD6.25M CASH COUPONS FOR WINE & DINE FESTIVAL

NEWS 27-10-2022

A total of 50,000 coupons worth HKD6.25 million redeemable at over 700 participating bars and restaurants will be handed out during the Wine and Dine Festival next month.

憂葡萄酒市場崩潰　法國業界要求緊急蒸餾拔藤

FOCUS 25-10-2022

今年法國葡萄酒産量大幅回升，卻遇上全球經濟受通賬、利率及能源價格高企的多重打擊，有酒業代表指情況非常嚴峻，呼籲法國政府和歐盟提供危機解決方案，包括進行緊急蒸餾及推進拔藤計劃，波爾多産區或拔藤15,000公頃。

HYUNDAI TO COMPETE WITH SHINSEGAE & LOTTE IN S. KOREA'S PREMIUM WINE SEGMENT

NEWS 24-10-2022

Hyundai department store group has set up a wine imports arm in order to compete with the other two leading retailers, Shinsegae and Lotte, in fine wine retails in South Korea.

ASIAN CUSTOMERS AMONG DATA BREACH VICTIMS AFTER CYBERATTACK ON iDEALWINE

NEWS 21-10-2022

Certain data of iDealwine's 650,000 customers, many are Asia-based, have been compromised in a cyberattack. The company website is still offline at the time of publication.

JAPAN HAS FILED G.I. PROTECTION APPLICATION FOR JAPANESE SAKE IN INDIA

NEWS 19-10-2022

This is the first time that a product from Japan has filed for protection to the Indian Geographical Indication Registry, according to local media reports.

AUSSIE GOV'T APPOINTS COUNTRY MANAGERS IN JAPAN & KOREA TO BOOST WINE EXPORTS

NEWS 18-10-2022

The newly created roles show that Japan and South Korea are Australia's designated targets to diversify wine exports after having lost the important Chinese market.

NO UK-INDIA FREE TRADE DEAL THIS MONTH, SCOTCH MAKERS TO MISS OUT DIWALI BONANZA

NEWS 17-10-2022

UK’s new Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said they are no longer working to the Diwali (24 October) deadline for the UK-India free trade agreement.

HONG KONG IWSC FINED FOR ACCEPTING ENTRIES FROM A SANCTIONED CRIMEAN WINERY

NEWS 14-10-2022

The sister wine competition of the London-based IWSC was fined £30,000 by the UK financial sanctions office for accepting wine entries from a sanctioned Crimean winery.

HEINEKEN OPENED S.E. ASIA’S BIGGEST BREWERY IN VIETNAM

NEWS 13-10-2022

Dutch brewer Heineken has recently opened Southeast Asia’s biggest brewery in Vietnam with an annual capacity of 11 million hectoliters.

RARE HENNESSY & ROYAL SALUTE AVAILABLE FOR BIDDING IN ASIA FOR FIRST TIME

NEWS 12-10-2022

Two exclusive labels from Hennessy and Royal Salute will be available for bidding at the World of Wines and Spirits portal with starting bids at SGD225,000 and SGD130,000 respectively.

INDIA ORDERED PERNOD RICARD TO PAY USD244M FOR UNDERVALUING WHISKY IMPORTS

NEWS 10-10-2022

Pernod Ricard India was said to have undervalued imports for over a decade to evade tariffs, the company has challenged the tax demand and will appear in court tomorrow.

THE MACALLAN 81YO SOLD FOR £300,000, TRIPLING RELEASE PRICE IN JUST 8 MONTHS

NEWS 6-10-2022

The number 3/288 decanter of the The Macallan The Reach 81YO was sold for £300,000 yesterday, which is 3.26 times of the launch price of £92,000 in February this year.

EIGHT ASIAN BARS MADE TO WORLD'S 50 BEST BARS 2022

NEWS 5-10-2022

A total of 8 Asian bars from Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, New Delhi and Tokyo made to the list of World's 50 Best Bars 2022 revealed yesterday.

INDIA PROPOSED 15% RETALIATORY TARIFFS ON UK LIQUORS, CASTS DOUBTS ON FREE TRADE DEAL

NEWS 4-10-2022

India threatened to levy extra tariffs of 15% on 22 UK goods, including Scotch, blended whisky and gin to retaliate UK’s protectionist measures on some steel products.

WORLD SAKE DAY: CHINA OVERTOOK HK AS SAKE’S MOST VALUABLE EXPORT MARKET

NEWS 3-10-2022

As sake lovers around the world celebrated World Sake Day on 1 October, it emerged that mainland China has overtaken Hong Kong as sake’s biggest importer by value.

WORLD’S OLDEST WHISKY THE MACALLAN 81YO IS AVAILABLE FOR BIDDING NOW AT SOTHEBY’S

NEWS 30-9-2022

Offered directly by The Macallan Distillery, the online auction will close on 5 October, the latest bid at the time of publication is £130,000.

CHINA MADE PENFOLDS INCLUDED IN NEW "ONE BY PENFOLDS" RANGE

NEWS 29-9-2022

The first China made Penfolds will be released next month in China for RMB228 (USD32) along with three other wines from France and USA under the “One by Penfolds” range.

BREWER ABINBEV PLANS WHISKY AND GIN LAUNCH IN INDIA

NEWS 28-9-2022

Owner of Budweiser and Corona beer brands, Anheuser-Busch InBev, is planning to launch new whisky and gin brands in the Indian market.

親身體驗法國勃艮第秋收　 業界稱本年份量高質也高

FOCUS 26-9-2022

早前本刊到了法國勃艮第産區採訪秋收，體驗了Cote de Nuit及Cote de Beaune的採摘情況，今年勃艮第秋收維時達個多月，産量豐富，但産區稱今年的産量不會影響質量，更說本年份的質與量都高於預期。

THAILAND PLANS TO TAX NO & LOW ALCOHOLS IN FISCAL 2023

NEWS 23-9-2022

The Thai government is planning to increase excise tax on all types of alcohols, including no & low alcohols, in the fiscal year 2023 to boost government coffer.

CHANGI AIRPORT & LOTTE DUTY FREE TO WOW CONNOISSEURS WITH EXCLUSIVE RARITIES

NEWS 22-9-2022

Over 200 outstanding expressions from more than 75 renowned brands, including some first-in-the-region rarities will be available for purchase from 30 September to 31 December.

EU FUNDS 3-YEAR CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE G.I. WINES IN MAJOR ASIAN MARKETS

NEWS 21-9-2022

The European Wine Ambassadors campaign will see producers from Spain, Italy and Greece promoting their wines in China, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan between now and 2024.

BEIJING TO OPEN WORLD'S SECOND BIGGEST WINE MUSEUM IN 2024

NEWS 20-9-2022

Spanning 18,000 sqm in Fangshan district, the Universal Wine Museum is scheduled to open in Beijing in May 2024 in collaboration with the Cité du Vin of Bordeaux.

CITY OF DELHI: GOVERNMENT LIQUOR SHOPS REOPEN TODAY AS PRIVATE SHOPS SHUT

NEWS 1-9-2022

The city of Delhi returns to the old liquor retail regime today with the reopening of government shops while private shops shut after only 9 months in business.

OVER 1M BOTTLES OF SCOTCH WHISKY ON FIRST SCOTLAND-CHINA DIRECT CONTAINER SERVICE

NEWS 31-8-2022

The new direct service will have 3 sailings per month, calling at Ningbo and Shenzhen, before arriving in Scottish Greenock Terminal via sister container terminal in Liverpool.

MALAYSIA: RELIGION MINISTER WANTS TO BAN OKTOBERFEST CELEBRATIONS

NEWS 30-8-2022

The religion minister's call casts doubts on the 48th edition of Penang’s Oktoberfest which is scheduled to return on 21 to 22 October after a two-year hiatus.

DIAGEO PAUSED SALES IN SOME INDIAN STATES TO FIGHT FOR PRICE HIKES

NEWS 29-8-2022

Diageo India has paused sales in some Indian states where liquor prices are still capped despite rising inflation. The company is lobbying for prices to rise with inflation.

"RAREST JAPANESE WHISKY" FROM A GHOST DISTILLERY, SHIRAKAWA 1985 AT USD29,580 A BOTTLE

NEWS 25-8-2022

Shirakawa is a ghost Japanese whisky distillery which was demolished in 2003. A batch of its whisky distilled in 1958 will be released in a 1500 bottles limited edition.

WINES OF CHILE WILL GO ALL OUT TO DIG DEEP IN CHINA AND ASIA

NEWS 24-8-2022

The Chilean wine marketing board said in its Wines of Chile Summit 2022 that China and Asia represent the greatest opportunities for Chilean wine exporters.

THAILAND PLANS PUB HOURS INTO 4AM TO LURE MORE TOURISTS

NEWS 23-8-2022

After having lifted a 5-decade long ban on afternoon drinking, Thailand is planning to extend pub hours from 2am to 4am, to lure more tourists to help economic recovery.

歐美破紀錄提前採摘　香檳區今天迎來秋收

FOCUS 22-8-2022

今天是8月22 日，法國産區當中，以氣溫清涼聞名的香檳産區，提早今日就開始採摘葡萄，而其他法國以至歐美的産區，今年也紛紛提前了進行採摘，是記憶能及的最早採摘年份。

JAPAN’S TAX AGENCY WANTS YOUNG PEOPLE TO CONSUME MORE ALCOHOL

NEWS 18-8-2022

The tax agency's “Sake Viva!” campaign invites those aged 20 to 39 to submit business plans to promote domestic alcoholic drinks to young people.

INDIA: DIAGEO TO INVEST USD5.7M TO BUILD CRAFT & INNOVATION HUB IN GOA

NEWS 17-8-2022

The hub will have production capacity of 20,000 cases of spirits a month, it will serve as an incubator for select start-ups where they can create their own craft products.

PORTUGUESE WINE EXPORTS TO CHINA DECLINED 47.7% IN H1 2022

NEWS 16-8-2022

Value of Portuguese wine exports to China declined 47.7% in the first half of 2022, while exports to Japan increased by 21.6%, according to latest data released by ViniPortugal.

MALAYSIA: "DEALCOHOLISED" DRINKS CANNOT BE LABELLED AS NON-ALCOHOLIC

NEWS 15-8-2022

Beverages that have its alcohol content removed after normal fermentation process can only be labelled as "dealcoholised" to avoid confusing the country’s Muslim consumers.

BAIJIU DISTILLER LUZHOU LAOJIAO BACKS CHINA DUTY FREE'S IPO IN HONG KONG

NEWS 12-8-2022

World's biggest travel retailer China Duty Free is to raise up to USD2.17b from a second listing in Hong Kong, baijiu distiller Luzhou Laojiao is one of the 9 cornerstone investors.

KOREAN-OWNED SHAFER VINEYARDS ACQUIRED 46 HECTRES FROM CULT WINERY SCREAMING EAGLE

NEWS 11-8-2022

The acquisition includes 9 hectares in the famed Stags Leap District and is worth USD 35 million. Screaming Eagle won the Judgement of Paris tasting in 1976.

PENFOLDS WINS: CHINA'S SUPREME COURT DECLARES "RUSH RICH" BRAND INVALID

NEWS 10-8-2022

The Supreme People’s Court of China recently declared the "Rush Rich" brand invalid, ending Penfolds' six-year legal battle against the Chinese copycat brand.

JAPAN BREWERS SHOWCASED UNIQUE "DEEP SEA SPACE SAKES" IN HONG KONG

NEWS 8-8-2022

These special sakes from Japan's Kochi Prefecture were brewed with yeasts that have survived extreme conditions in outer space and in 6200 meters deep sea.

4000萬瓶假酒流入全球市場 　西班牙酒商被控詐騙罪

FOCUS 4-8-2022

西班牙酒商Grupo Reserva de la Tierra，涉嫌在2019至2021間，向客戶提供超過4000萬瓶貼上虛假産區標籤的葡萄酒，從而謀利約1400萬歐元，被正式落案起訴，受騙客戶遍布歐洲、美國、中國、日本和巴西。

S. KOREAN RETAIL GIANTS SHINSEGAE AND LOTTE WILL MAKE WHISKIES FROM EXOTIC JEJU ISLAND

NEWS 3-8-2022

The competing retailers have picked the southern Jeju Island to build their own whisky distilleries, to benefit from the island’s clean water and exotic image.

CHAOS AND CONFUSION AS DELHI CITY ROLLED BACK PRIVATISATION OF LIQUOR RETAIL

NEWS 2-8-2022

Chaos and confusion as the Delhi city government decided to roll back the sweeping changes introduced last November to privatise the city’s liquor retail.

SIX OF WORLD'S TEN MOST VALUABLE SPIRITS BRANDS ARE CHINESE BAIJIU

NEWS 1-8-2022

Six of the world’s ten most valuable spirits brands are Chinese baijiu, with Kweichow Moutai, Wuliangye, Luzhou Laojiao and Yanghe taking the top four positions.

LIMITED EDITION OF CALIFORNIA MADE PENFOLDS 177 LAUNCHED IN CHINA

NEWS 28-7-2022

Made from California Cabernet Sauvignon, Penfolds 177 is released exclusively for the Chinese market to mark the 177th anniversary of the Penfolds brand.

AT LEAST 57 DIED FROM DRINKING ILLICIT LIQUOR IN DRY INDIAN STATE OF GUJARAT

NEWS 27-7-2022

At least 57 people have died and some 150 hospitalised in Gujarat which bans alcohol, 10 have been arrested including a man who allegedly supplied methanol to bootleggers.

ROBERT PARKER WINE ADVOCATE APPOINTED FILIPINO I.T. COMPANY TO BUILD B2B PLATFORM

NEWS 26-7-2022

The renowned wine rating company is planning to expand from its current B2C model into B2B as well, to further tap into the e-commerce opportunities.

NORTH KOREA'S NATIONAL BEER TAEDGONGGANG HAS A VERY BRITISH ORIGIN

NEWS 25-7-2022

Started production 20 years ago in Pyongyang, the Taedgonggang Brewery's original facilities were actually transplanted from a disused brewery in the United Kingdom.

墨西哥選美皇后被捕　涉嫌盜竊西班牙餐廳160萬歐元名酒

FOCUS 21-7-2022

現年29歲的前墨西哥選美冠軍Priscilla Lara Guevara及47歲的羅馬尼亞籍同黨Constantin Golubic，日前在克羅地亞落網，他們涉嫌去年底偷取西班牙米其林餐廳價值約160萬歐元的名酒。

CHINESE BREWERY WINNING THE HEARTS OF BEER CONSUMERS IN ISLAMIC PAKISTAN

NEWS 20-7-2022

Produced by a Chinese-invested brewery in Pakistan, beer brands HungChi (Red Flag) and Hui Cheng have rapidly gained popularity among Pakistan’s consumers.

SEVEN ASIAN RESTAURANTS MADE TO WORLD’S 50 BEST 2022, FOUR ARE JAPANESE

NEWS 19-7-2022

Seven Asian restaurants named the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022, Japan has 4 restaurants on the list, while Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand each has one.

AUSSIE GOV'T FUNDED STUDY TO UNCORK JAPAN AND S.KOREA WINE MARKETS

NEWS 18-7-2022

Dubbed “Uncorking new opportunities for Australian Wine in Japan & South Korea”, the study findings will be shared in a webiner hosted by Australian Grape & Wine tomorrow.

SINGAPORE: HEFTY FINES OR LONG JAIL TERMS TO BIGGEST ALCOHOL TAX EVASION GANG

NEWS 15-7-2022

Three men who masterminded Singapore’s largest alcohol tax evasion syndicate were ordered to pay hefty fines of SGD28m to 48m (USD20m to 34m), or face long term in jail.

CHINA TOLD ALCOHOL & TOBACCO BRANDS STOP EXPLOITING THE IMAGE OF THE PLA

NEWS 13-7-2022

The message was announced by an exceptionally high-profile circular issued jointly by six government departments including the Central Military Commission.

AUSTRALIA LOOKING TO HELP INDIA SET UP WINE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

NEWS 12-7-2022

The two sides are looking at establishing a research and training institute in India with the Australian Wine Research Institute offering their expertise.

ASIAN FEMALE COLLECTOR ACQUIRED 1975 ARDBEG CASK AT RECORD-BREAKING USD19M

NEWS 11-7-2022

The 1975 Ardbeg cask, called Cask No. 3, is enough to make 440 bottles costing USD43,180 per piece. The previous cask whisky record was set earlier this year at USD18m.

JAPAN'S ALCOHOLIC DRINKS EXPORTS QUINTUPLED IN 10 YEARS

NEWS 8-7-2022

Japan's alcoholic drinks exports increased 61.4% in 2021 to reach 114.6 billion yen, the trade has grown five-fold in the past ten years.

JAPAN’S SUNTORY: PRICE FOR BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU 2022 TO RISE AT LEAST 40%

NEWS 7-7-2022

Suntory Holdings said the price increase in Japan for November's Beaujolais Nouveau release is mainly due to sharp rise in transportation costs.

法國破獲假酒集團　波爾多莊主疑為主腦被捕

FOCUS 6-7-2022

法國警方搗破一個售賣假酒的團伙，行動中逮捕了超過20名疑販，包括懷疑是主腦的酒莊莊主，團伙涉嫌以來自西班牙等地的低價葡萄酒，偽裝成中價的波爾多Medoc産區葡萄酒出售圖利，除了供應給本地超市外，亦有出口到外國。

FRANCE MEETS JAPAN: LIMITED RELEASE OF 500 COURVOISIER MIZUNARA AT USD 2000 EACH

NEWS 5-7-2022

The expression was created by chief blenders of Courvoisier and House of Suntory using maturation traditions of both Cognac and Japanese whisky.

GEORGIAN WINE HAS HIGH HOPES ON FREE TRADE DEAL WITH S. KOREA

NEWS 4-7-2022

Georgia is actively promoting its wines in South Korea and is hoping that a free trade deal will boost wine exports to this fast growing Asian market.

CHINA’S YANTAI CITY ADMITTED AS A MEMBER OF GLOBAL WINE TOURISM ORGANISATION

NEWS 1-7-2022