This week in spirits & wine

This week in spirits & wine

Here's a round-up of this week's top stories from the global spirits & wine categories. Click the links to see our round-ups for beer & cider and soft drinks & bottled water.

The Scotch whisky sector has long had an awkward relationship with the research & development department. Category commentator Neil Ridley, however, believes the two sides have plenty in common - and much more than we'd realise.

After a tough period since 2012, the global Scotch whisky market is facing a brighter future over the next five years – but there are still concerns about the category's lack of dynamism compared to its rivals.

Scotch whisky is set to overcome its recent challenges and record strong sales growth over the next five years, adding more than 10m cases across both blends and malts, a new report has forecast.

Earlier this month, just-drinks deputy editor Lucy Britner spoke to the company's UK & Ireland country manager, Adele Cooper, to find out how drinks brand owners can make the most of Pinterest.

Diageo has quelled speculation that it has moved to slow its production of Scotch whisky, in light of the UK's vote to leave the European Union last year.

Laurent-Perrier has reported flat sales for the first half of its current fiscal year, representing an improvement on the corresponding period a year ago.

Beam Suntory is to realign its distribution in the Netherlands next year, linking up with the family-owned De Kuyper Royal Distillers for some of its core brands.

Scotch whisky producer Kilchoman Distillery is to launch a pair of Internet-connected bottles as spirits producers increasingly turn to Internet of Things technology to reach consumers.

English wine producer Chapel Down has launched its first gin and vodka expressions, as it looks to move further into the spirits category.