“It is illogical that an 18 year old can be licensed to sell alcohol, be a designated supervisor and not buy alcohol in their own shop but can still get married or fight for their country”. (Source: Harpers)

Vodka is the drink of the moment in the Dominican Republic, with sales growing 50% in 2007. Imported brands into the country soared by 60% from 104,400 cases in 2006 to 157,000 cases in 2007. (Source: Dominican Today – IWSR)

French wine merchants fear the world financial crisis could cause their worst end-of-year sales squeeze since the aftermath of the attacks of Sept 11, 2001.

After the attacks, sales of Bordeaux wine to the United States fell by 29 per cent in volume during the final quarter of 2001 – the key Christmas and New Year period, which accounts for half of annual sales. (Source: The StraitsTimes.com)

The Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has criticised the Scottish Government’s plans to tackle alcohol misuse. The Government’s proposals to deal with alcohol misuse include raising the minimum age for alcohol purchases in shops to 21, rising the price of alcohol by imposing minimum pricing and banning retail promotions. (Source: The drinks business)

An organic wine from Chile has oenophiles in San Francisco turning up their noses. But there’s nothing wrong with the wine. It’s the name that bothers them: Palin Syrah, which comes way to close a certain governor from the state of Alaska!

And in the Republican stronghold of Texas, a store, once had cases stacked 20 high, but now only 74 bottles remain… (Source: Foxnews.com)

AIVSO is the first federation in France to unite AOCs and vins de pays.

For Paul Fabre, AIVSO director, "the fact that the Ministry’s Guidance Council has recognised our federation is a first decisive step for our region, because now we can join forces, share resources, especially in exports and build a strategy with a rationale in a highly competitive context”. (Source: Décision Boissons)

The area of vines grown in the province of Neuquén in Argentinean Patagonia has doubled in five years. At San Patricio del Chañar and Añelo there were 954 hectares of vines in 2003, compared to almost 2,000 today, according to the National Institute of Winegrowing. Last year, production increased by 36.5% compared to 2006, reaching nearly 85,000 hectolitres, mainly of red. (Source: VSB)