The Drinks Business

India’s middle class is raising the bar for premium alcohol Pernod Ricard India MD Jean Touboul says the country’s rapidly growing middle class is driving a “less but better” drinking trend, pushing premiumisation across spirits — especially among younger consumers. With 250M+ Indians moving into the neo-middle class and disposable incomes rising, premium spirits are on the rise. But there’s a catch: state-by-state liquor laws remain a major hurdle, making India one of the most complex alcohol markets in the world. Despite the red tape, Pernod Ricard sees big potential, especially in Indian whisky, where “innovation with premiumisation towards luxury” is the key strategy. #India #Spirits #Premiumisation

Could the UK reclaim Champagne’s no.1 export spot? 🍾 With Champagne sales holding strong in the UK despite price hikes, could Britain overtake the US as its biggest export market? Pol Roger Portfolio MD James Simpson MW thinks so, citing resilient demand both in supermarkets (thanks to festive discounting) and in restaurants, where Champagne remains the go-to indulgence — even in tough times. While US shipments hit 27m bottles in 2023, concerns over tariffs and economic uncertainty have slowed early 2024 re-orders. Meanwhile, the UK market, though down 7-10%, still sits at a solid 23m bottles — a volume Simpson calls “a lot of decent booze.” The key factor? Stable prices. With Champagne brands holding off further price hikes, it could become more affordable relative to inflation — a win for British drinkers. But will that be enough to dethrone the US? UMC president David Chatillon isn’t convinced, predicting the markets will be “closer” rather than the UK taking the top spot.

Midleton whiskey production pauses amid industry slowdown Pernod Ricard’s Irish Distillers is temporarily halting production at Midleton Distillery, home of Jameson, Redbreast, Midleton Very Rare and Powers. The move, described as a routine review, comes as global whiskey supply outpaces demand, mirroring recent slowdowns at Diageo, Brown-Forman and Bushmills. #IrishWhiskey #Midleton #WhiskeyIndustry

The UK’s definitive Champagne tasting returns 🥂 For the first time in nearly a decade, The Definitive Champagne Tasting is bringing together 60 producers and an already impressive 600 sign-ups from buyers, press and sommeliers. 📍 Where? Tate Modern, London 📅 When? 1 April 2025 ⏰ Two sessions: 10am-2pm | 2pm-5pm Featuring non-vintage & vintage self-pour tables, this is a rare opportunity to taste everything Champagne in one place. Hosted by the Champagne Shippers’ Association, it’s set to be the biggest UK Champagne trade tasting since 2018. Don’t miss out — register now. 🍾✨ #ChampagneTasting #DefinitiveChampagne

Women in wine: journeys, challenges & favourite bottles With International Women’s Day upon us, the drinks business caught up with some of the most inspiring women in wine to discuss their experiences, advice for the next generation, and, of course, their desert island wines. Dr. Laura Catena, fourth-generation vintner and MD of Catena Zapata, reflects on how women are now playing an equal role in family wineries, something that was once unthinkable. For her, the 1997 Nicolás Catena Zapata, a Malbec-Cabernet Sauvignon blend bearing her father’s name, holds the most sentimental value. Praisy Dlamini, CEO and head winemaker at Amandla, credits resilience and continuous learning as key to overcoming industry biases. Her most memorable bottle? A Cabernet Sauvignon she crafted during her Cape Winemakers Guild Protégé days, which taught her the true meaning of winemaking. In France, Katie Jones, owner and winemaker at Domaine Jones, has broken barriers in her region, where a woman’s place is still expected to be at home. Her pick? Carignan Gris, a grape variety that’s finally getting the recognition it deserves. Meanwhile, Eliane Lafage, winemaker at Domaine Lafage, remembers how difficult it was for a woman to establish herself in the cellar early in her career. She’s since proved the doubters wrong, and a 20-year-old Banyuls from Roussillon remains one of her most cherished wines. From hiring more women in leadership to creating safer working environments, there’s still work to be done. But, as Neasa Miquel, co-owner of Laurent Miquel, points out, women influence more of the wine industry than ever before — both as buyers and makers. What’s your desert island wine? 🍷 #IWD2025 #WomenInWine

This International Women’s Day, let’s talk about safety. A panel discussion hosted by The Spirits Business made one thing clear: protecting hospitality workers — especially women — is long overdue. As Siobhan Payne of London Cocktail Week put it, “A woman going home at 3am after a shift is very different from a man going home at 3am.” Why aren’t late-night venues factoring in safe transport home for staff, the way TfL does for its drivers? Hospitality consultant Anna Sebastian is tackling the issue head-on, using data-driven research through her Celebrate Her initiative to push for change. Whether it's funding safer commutes, creating buddy systems, or implementing better policies, prioritising safety isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s non-negotiable. #IWD2025

Welcome to the first edition of The db Dispatch, our inaugural LinkedIn newsletter dedicated to bringing you the latest insights from the global drinks industry. From vodka price hikes in Russia to Champagne’s cautious rebound, we cut through the noise to deliver the most pressing updates, market shifts and regulatory developments — all in one place.

🍷 Making wine more accessible for women: real change, not pink labels Ahead of International Women’s Day, industry leaders share how we can create a more inclusive and equitable wine world. 🔹 More women in leadership – From wineries to wine media, diversity drives innovation 🔹 Fair pay & flexible policies – Maternity, menopause & work-life balance shouldn’t be career roadblocks 🔹 Safer workplaces – Zero tolerance for harassment, stronger safeguarding policies 🔹 Smart marketing – Skip the ‘mommy juice’ & patronising pink labels. Women want authentic brands, not clichés 🔹 Investing in female-owned wineries – Put money where it matters & support women-led businesses Women are shaping every corner of the wine world. Time to level the playing field — because refined palates aren’t just for men. 🍷💪 Read more below: #WomenInWine #InternationalWomensDay

Will Scotland’s football booze ban be lifted? Football and alcohol: a pairing as old as the game itself, yet in Scotland, this partnership remains in exile within stadium walls. However, with whispers of a pilot scheme floating through the corridors of Hampden Park, could fans soon be toasting a new era of matchday libations? A Freedom of Information (FOI) release suggests that the Scottish Government remains, at best, lukewarm on the matter — but there are signs the conversation is no longer completely off the table. Read more below:

Mississippi legalises direct-to-customer wine sales The Governor of Mississippi has signed a law allowing direct-to-consumer (DTC) wine shipping into the state from 1 July. The new bill means that residents in Mississippi can not only receive wine shipments directly from producers across state lines, but will also allow the few wineries in the state to sell wines direct-to-consumer as well. Read more below: