Pernod Ricard has announced a new team structure for its Scotch whisky and premium gin business, Chivas Brothers, including changes to the positions of current Master Blenders Colin Scott and Sandy Hyslop. Several new faces have also joined the team, while others have moved up in positions to help take the business into its next phase of growth and begin to pass on the traditions and techniques at Chivas …

Winners of the 42nd biennial  Vin de Champagne Awards were announced on Monday night at Four Seasons Sydney. The awards are recognised as being among the most coveted in Australia and acknowledge two individuals within and outside of the food and drink industry who act as ambassadors of the Champagne Appellation by sharing their knowledge and appreciation of the wine with local consumers. (You may also b…

The famous Bundy R Bear is set to return to screens across the country in a new television commercial for the new Lazy Bear RTD. Viewers would have been able to catch a glimpse of the brand’s iconic mascot on 23 September when the TVC aired for the first time with the NRL preliminary finals. (You may also be interested in Diageo’s $20M investment in the RTD category ). The new commercial, which promotes …

Belvedere Vodka has partnered with John Legend in a new campaign called #MAKETHEDIFFERENCE, which aims to raise money to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa. Belvedere Vodka and the legendary artist have come together to create a limited edition bottle, designed by well-known Ndebele and South African artist, Esther Mahlangu. The bottle is currently being sold through Dan Murphy’s with 50 per cent of the profits go…

Former Chief Winemaker at Yalumba, Brian Walsh, has been awarded the 2016 Len Evans Award for his leadership and service to the Australian wine industry. The award was given at the Gourmet Traveller WINE magazine gala award dinner on Thursday night. Walsh joined Yalumba in 1988 and under his stewardship became custodian of the quintessential Australian blend of cabernet sauvignon and shiraz. Walsh also em…

Johnnie Walker has announced the release of its limited edition experimental whisky series entitled the Blender’s Batch, inspired by its blending team’s endless pursuit of flavour. Master blender, Dr Jim Beveridge, brings to the series over 40 years of experience. Beveridge and his team have experimented throughout the blending process, focussing on the development and understanding of alternate flavours….

This Friday the 23rd of September will see a milestone for St Hugo wines, with the winery opening the doors of its Barossa Valley home to the public. The Home of St Hugo, a beautifully restored 1850s ironstone building, will invite guests to indulge in wine tastings, fine dining, and bespoke wine tourism experiences. Nearly two years in the making, the renovation project was supported by a $1 million Stat…

Travellers flying to and from Adelaide Aiport can now take advantage of the new open lounge and dining area and enjoy a selection of Coopers products and South Australian produce at the newly refurbished Coopers Alehouse, which officially reopened on Tuesday 20 September following a $1 million and three-month-long upgrade. Coopers Alehouse is the first venue at Adelaide Airport to undergo a refurbishment …

Bickford’s Group of Companies, producer of Bickford’s Cordials and Traditional Sodas, is set to open a new $6.6 million distillery in Renmark in the Riverland, South Australia this Friday. While further details will be announced on the day, the Group has said that the distillery will be used to produce a new range of craft spirits, focusing on gin and brandy in particular. The distillery and visitor centr…

Archie Rose Distilling Co., located in Sydney, has released a Distiller’s Strength Gin – an overproof gin that joins the distiller’s core range. Archie Rose Distiller’s Strength Gin is 52.4%ABV and packs 15 individually distilled botanicals to reflect the flavours of traditional Navy Strength gins. The botanicals include fresh pears from Orange, NSW, rose petals, elderflower, pronounced juniper and distil…