Portuguese winemakers hope to replicate the success of their Vinho Verde, the slightly fizzy white wine that Americans guzzled, with their red wines. The challenge for the winemakers is to get Americans to taste something other than the Vinho Verde. Last year, they drank more than 105,000 cases – a 124 percent rise in consumption from 2005. (Source: Reuters)

The next Vinexpo exhibition will take place in Bordeaux from Sunday 21 to Thursday 25 June 2009.

This will be the 15^th Vinexpo, the biggest wine and spirits exhibition for professionals, where nearly 50,000 visitors and 2,400 producers and exporters from all over the world are expected to attend. (Source: Vinexpo)

Whisky Magazine has just awarded the title of Best Whisky in the World to a 20-year-old pure malt whisky distilled on the shores of the Sea of Japan on the island of Hokkaido. It is the first time a beverage which is not Scottish made, wins this distinction. (Source: Le Soir)

There was a time when the alcohol content did not even feature on wine labels. Labelling is undergoing a discrete revolution, where more and more obligatory information is required to appear, supposedly for the benefit of drinkers and especially their health. After the sulphite content and the pregnant woman logo, other information could appear soon, such as storage conditions or even nutritional value. (Source: Sud Ouest)

Spirits exports reached record volumes of 51.62 million 12-bottle cases, up 5.8%, and turnover of €2.64 billion representing growth of 3.3%. The category is clearly led by cognac, which sold more than 13 million cases, increasing its turnover considerably by 11.9% to reach €1.68 billion. Cognac accounts therefore for one quarter of French spirits volumes sent abroad. (Source: Revue Vinicole Internationale)

Advertisements encouraging consumption of alcoholic beverages or promoting the quality of alcoholic beverages are prohibited in Thailand. However, alcohol producers, importers or distributors can advertise the image of the product or promote social responsibility. (Source: IWSR)

Russia’s North Caucasus republic of Daghestan, famous for its brandies, plans to open a whisky distillery. The estimated cost of the project, which sould be recouped in three years, is €5, 9 million. The first batch f whisky from the distillery will go on sale in Russia in three years. (Source: RIA Novosti)