In the world of high-end culinary arts and traditional home cooking alike, few ingredients possess the transformative power of Aspergillus oryzae. Known more commonly by its Japanese name, Koji, this "friendly mold" is the invisible architect behind the most iconic flavors of Japan. While the concept of "moldy rice" may initially sound unappealing to the […]

In a significant shift of legal strategy that highlights the complexities of operating within the Indian regulatory landscape, French spirits conglomerate Pernod Ricard has officially withdrawn its challenge against a massive US$314 million tax demand. The decision, recently confirmed by the Delhi High Court, marks a pivotal moment in a multi-year investigation into the company’s […]

NEW ORLEANS — As the sweltering July heat settled over the French Quarter, the global spirits industry turned its collective gaze toward the Crescent City for the annual Tales of the Cocktail (TOTC) conference. Amidst the flurry of seminars, tasting rooms, and networking events, one of the week’s most anticipated milestones took place: the announcement […]

PERPIGNAN, FRANCE – In what is being described as a watershed moment for the French wine industry, Domaine Lafage has officially commenced its 2026 harvest, marking the earliest start date in the estate’s storied history. On the morning of Thursday, July 23, picking crews descended upon the coastal vineyards of Roussillon, a full month ahead […]

In an industry often characterized by its opaque traditions and gatekept secondary markets, Cru World Wine is attempting a radical structural realignment. The London-based fine wine powerhouse has announced a pioneering initiative to transform its client base into a "community of owners," offering users the opportunity to acquire a direct equity stake in the company. […]

MONTPELIER, VERMONT – In a move that signals a significant maturation of the American craft spirits sector, Caledonia Spirits, the award-winning producer of Barr Hill Gin, has announced the appointment of industry veteran John Oliver as its new Vice-President of Sales. This strategic hire marks a pivotal moment for the Vermont-based distillery as it seeks […]

GUIZHOU, CHINA – In a bold move designed to fortify its premium positioning and stabilize a volatile market, Kweichow Moutai, the world’s most valuable spirits producer, has announced its second price increase of the year. Effective July 18, 2026, the distiller has raised the retail and ex-factory prices of its flagship 53% vol 500ml Feitian […]

MADRID – Zamora Company, the family-owned Spanish spirits and wine group behind global icons such as Licor 43 and Ramón Bilbao, has released its sixth annual Conscious Company report, detailing a year of significant environmental progress. Despite a challenging fiscal landscape that saw the company’s first sales dip after years of record-breaking growth, the group […]

The world of fine wine has witnessed a historic moment that reaffirms the prestige of American viticulture on the global stage. A single bottle of the legendary 1973 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon—the very wine that famously triumphed over France’s greatest estates at the 1976 Judgment of Paris—has shattered expectations at auction. Selling […]

CHICAGO — In the high-stakes world of craft mixology, where the difference between a "good" drink and a "great" one is measured in millimeters and degrees, few figures loom as large as Toby Maloney. As the creative force behind Chicago’s legendary Violet Hour and a James Beard Award-winning author, Maloney has spent over three decades […]