Hong Kong Customs officials have seized an estimated HK$100 million (USD $12.8 million) worth of smuggled goods, including 2,000 bottles of wines, in a major crackdown.

 Hong Kong Customs officials have seized an estimated HK$100 million (USD $12.8 million) worth of smuggled goods, including 2,000 bottles of wines, in a major crackdown.

The 10 most-consumed alcoholic drinks have been identified in a new list that outlines which tipples we favour most.

Starting at number 10 and counting down, the analysts at the investment advisors Insider Monkey drew from their deeper dive report of the ‘20 Most Consumed Alcohols in the World’. Here are the results of the top 10, counting down to the number one alcoholic drink of all.

​A drone trial to transport premium goods from the coast of Monaco to a superyacht in the ocean has been completed, with a £360 bottle of Dom Pérignon vintage Champagne and 500g tin of Caviar arriving safely onboard.

​Chinese consumers’ alcohol beverage preferences, much like those of their peers elsewhere, are changing – they are prioritising quality over quantity and sustainability over extravagance, and exploring a diverse range of premium options.  

​ProWine Shanghai, the premier trade fair for the wine and spirits industry in the Chinese Mainland, is all set to celebrate its monumental 10th anniversary with an extraordinary edition in November. This highly anticipated event not only marks the grand return of international exhibitors to China after pandemic but also symbolizes a decade of ProWine’s influential presence in the dynamic Chinese market.

An alcohol-free IPA made with “superpower plants” that its creators claim can “elevate your feelings” has been launched in the UK.

The Cask Whisky Association (CWA) has been launched to establish “a safe environment” for whisky enthusiasts and customers to buy and sell casks.

​Wine and spirits producer Pernod Ricard has hired Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan for a strategic review of its Australia and New Zealand business.

​Asia has taken the lead as the biggest consumer of Scotch whisky, surpassing Europe, with double digit growth.

​Illva Saronno Group, the Italian drinks company which owns Disaronno and Tia Maria, has bought a majority stake in US whiskey distillery Sagamore Spirit.

​French wine production overtakes Italy for the first time in nine years, following a challenging harvest for their southern neighbours, as climate change is blamed for the decline.

​Long gone are the days of premium Chilean wine from the ‘Central Valley’, as producers hone in on sub-regions and DOs to highlight the value of their wines.

​The British Standards Institution (BSI), the UK’s national standards body, has published the first guidelines on Welsh, English, Irish and Scotch whisky production, including details on elements from colour to packaging.

​The new viral sensation that has got consumers in China jostling in long lines in the heat of the summer is a RMB 38 latte infused with the country’s most famous liquor – Kweichow Moutai.

​In a significant boost for China’s recovering wine market after the pandemic-induced lull, the Vinitaly China Roadshow is set to make its highly anticipated return this month, rekindling optimism after the sector was rocked by the disruptions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

​Hong Kong’s economy is losing steam and the city’s Financial Secretary Paul Chan is calling on locals to drink more on weekends at restaurants and bars to boost nighttime economy.

In a strong sign of recovery from the pandemic’s devastating impact, China’s dining industry is projected to hit a record-breaking year in 2023, with total revenues estimated to reach RMB 4.8 trillion (US$659 billion). This upward trajectory follows a challenging period marked by millions of restaurant closures and revenue declines, highlighting both the industry’s resilience and its ongoing path to renewal.

​Japan is raising the “woody” spirits in a game-changing move that’s bound to turn heads faster than a wind-whipped forest!

Tesla China has won a high-profile trademark infringement lawsuit against the producer of “Tesla Beer” and “Tesla Soda”, underscoring the escalating battle brands wage to safeguard their identities.

​General drinkers might know that Chinese produced wines are the rising star in the global wine industry – but how actively is the market actually growing?

​Could you have a priceless vintage whisky in your cupboards without knowing it or looking to invest? Here are the top 10 whiskies to invest in according to prices at auction. 

​American Airlines has become the latest airline to move away from Champagne with the company now serving Ferrari Trento DOC Italian fizz on first and business class areas.

​New research has revealed the world’s 10 most valuable wine brands, with one Chinese producer hot on the heels of Champagne’s top contender.

​In this exclusive interview for db, Ferrari’s new winemaker Cyril Brun reveals he is “going to be curious” and “try a lot of things” during his first Trentodoc harvest, which kicks off in mid-August.

​Shanghai police has successfully dismantled a significant counterfeit wine syndicate, leading to the arrest of 11 suspects and the confiscation of more than 100 cases of counterfeited wine “from a renowned brand”, according to local police.

​Viticulturalists in China will be concerned to hear the results of a World Weather Attribution study, which reveal that the country can expect severe spells of heat more frequently than Europe and the US.

​Researchers from the University of Florida have discovered that a particular type of wine can help to improve the elasticity and moisture retention of ageing skin.

In a significant shakeup of key players in China’s wine imported business, Torres China will be acquired by now Wajiu-owned Summergate through a partnership agreement that aims to “drive the next stage of imported wine business in China,” according to a joint press release.

The news was officially announced at a signing ceremony attended by Alex Li, CEO of Wajiu, the B2B wine and spirits platform, and Miguel Torres, CEO of Familia Torres, in Shanghai today.

​Over 20,000 bottles of smuggled wine have been seized as part of what Hong Kong customs has described as the city’s “largest smuggling case on record” that led to the seizure of HK$1.5 billion (US$191.5 milllion) worth of smuggled goods from expensive food ingredients to endangered species.

Demand for fine wine is outstripping other investment assets — including watches, luxury handbags, and art — new research by WineCap shows, with investors buying into the category as an “inflation hedge”, Cru World Wine told db.

New research from fine wine investment platform WineCap has revealed fine wine’s growing prevalence among high net worth client portfolios.

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Research by scientists from across the world has suggested taurine, one of the ingredients found in many energy drinks, could be ‘the elixir of life’ and help us to live longer.

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The study, led by Columbia University Irving Medical Centre, and published in esteemed journal Science, found that taurine supplements can slow down the aging process in worms, mice, and monkeys and can even extend the healthy lifespans of middle-aged mice by up to 12%. It also suggests a deficiency of taurine — a nutrient produced in the body and found in many foods — is a driver of aging in animals.

Taurine, which is found in many energy drinks, including Red Bull, Monster, Rock Star, Relentless and other brands, was first identified by the study’s leader Vijay Yadav when researching osteoporosis, where he discovered its role in building bone, while other scientists also discovered taurine levels correlated with immune function, obesity and nervous system functions.

Russian officers have raided a bottling factory in Moscow, which had been bottling fake Johnnie Walker Black Label whisky and other brands.

The officers found the fake bottles, which they said were unsafe to drink. On a post on a Russian social media post, the liquid within a fake Johnnie Walker Black Label bottle appeared to include a black, oily substance.

The news follows Diageo, which owns the Johnnie Walker brand, boycotting the Russian marketplace and numerous attempts by underground bottling facilities to produce counterfeit versions of the brand’s whisky, as well as other drinks which are unavailable.

Speaking about the findings, Diageo told db: “Diageo is not either directly or indirectly importing or selling any products in Russia. We are always very concerned of any reports of counterfeit alcohol as it can so often be harmful for both consumers and society.

“We are taking all appropriate steps within the parameters of current local and international laws to ensure our products are not counterfeited.”

While grocery prices for most household items in Hong Kong are surging from pandemic levels, the city’s wine drinkers might be relieved to learn that wine price not only did not hike up, but rather among 260 supermarket items had the sharpest drop last year, according to a survey by the city’s consumer watchdog.

The Consumer Council released its latest survey on Hong Kong’s grocery price and found that the average price of a basket of 260 items from the supermarkets increased by 2.1% over 2021, the steepest hike since 2013.

Nearly 70% of the goods or 175 items increased in price, with the top three product groups being butter (15.4%), tea bags (11.7%) and cheese (10.2%).

Interestingly, despite rises in dry goods including glass bottles, aluminum and corks, the Beer and Wines category had the largest cut in price in 2022 (-3.1%), and within the category, average price of wine fell by 5.1%, leading the council to conclude it has “the largest reduction in aggregate average price across all groups during the year”.

The council surveyed five everyday wines from three of the city’s biggest supermarket chains, ParknShop, Wellcome and Aeon. They are Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet, Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Yellow Tail Merlot, Carlo Rossi and Mouton Cadet. The average price of 4 out of the 5 wines dropped by up to 12.6%.

The survey result on wine however did not reflect wines sold on trade at restaurants or retail shops as wine importers in the city generally said price hikes of up to 20%, as a result of increased costs on dry goods and supply chain bottlenecks.

The top official in China’s alcoholic drinks industry has warned that the country’s wine consumption has hit a bottleneck as its wine industry has “no more retreating ground” after being hit the hardest among all beverage categories during the pandemic.

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The stern warnings came from Song Shuyu, Chairman of China Alcoholic Drinks Association (CADA), the official drinks body in China regulating the alcohol industry, at the association’s annaul meeting in Shandong.

China’s dwindling wine consumption is directly responsible for dragging down global wine consumption, according to OIV, as the associaiton estimates that China has been drinking less wine each year since 2018, with an annaul loss of 2 million hectoliters (mhl) or roughly 260 million bottles.

In the latest “State of the World Vine and Wine in 2022” report published by OIV, it shows that world wine consumption last year is estimated at 232 mhl, dropping by 2 mhl (-1%) compared to 2021.

But what’s alarming as the report notes is that starting in 2018, global wine consumption has decreased at a regular rate, which is mainly attributed to the decline in China’s consumption, to the detriment of 2 mhl loss per year since 2018.

The value of global wine exports was at its highest-ever recorded last year despite price increases leading to a decrease in the volumes.

Gordon Ramsay’s Italian Collection, created in partnership with winemaker Alberto Antonini, launched into the UK market in November 2021 with great success. Now, the range of three cross-regional Italian blends has been made available outside of the UK for the first time.

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“Just like Italy has a special place in my heart, I have spent some incredibly happy times in Australia and many of those moments were made even better by a beautiful glass of wine, so it was only natural I chose to bring my collection here,” said Ramsay, who is currently filming television show Food Stars in Oz.

Woolworths Group, the Australian retail giant, is mulling closing down Summergate Fine Wines & Spirits’ business operations in Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China after a deal with private equity firm Gravity Capital fell through.

An annual survey on China’s super rich have revealed their most favored imported spirits and wine brands.

After removing tariffs, Hainan, China’s biggest duty-free market, is planning to remove VAT and excise tax for imported wine and spirits in a bold move to further boost its attractiveness for tourists, as wealthy Chinese shoppers shift their spending back to home. 

Data for the performance of China’s domestic wine market during 2022 makes for bleak reading, but while the downward trend continues there are signs of recovery.

As China’s economy rebounds, global spirits giants are rubbing their hands together in anticipation of growth. But they may want to watch out for a surplus in baijiu stock… 

The 14th HKTDC Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair (Special Edition) ended on January 11 after a two-day run at a much smaller scale and less fanfare, as Hong Kong struggles to attract visitors despite loosened Covid rules.

Hong Kong customs have seized 9,000 bottles of smuggled wines inside two ocean-going vessels headed to Shanghai in a massive raid that led to seizure of more than HK$200 million (US$25.6 million) worth of smuggled goods including wine, expensive food ingredients, electronic goods, vinyl records and medicine, according to Hong Kong government.

Champagne exports rocketed in 2022 amid soaring demand for fine fizz, meaning producers are now putting measures in place to mitigate the risk of a shortage for Valentine’s Day.

Champagne exports rocketed in 2022 amid soaring demand for fine fizz, meaning producers are now putting measures in place to mitigate the risk of a shortage for Valentine’s Day.