It’s a problem that costs the retail industry vast amounts of money, although given the lack of data surrounding the problem, no one really knows exactly how much counterfeit markets are costing their genuine counterparts. It’s an affliction that touches every sector,...

They call it "pre-drinking," "pre-partying" or "pre-funking," and it usually involves chugging cheap alcoholic drinks before heading out to a bar, club or sporting event. While addiction experts estimate that 65% to 75% of college-age youths engage in such boozy...

Winemakers in California are hailing the 2012 harvest as ‘outstanding’, with early estimates suggesting it could be a near-record crop at 3.7m tons. That’s about 12% up on last year’s small harvest and comes in sharp contrast with trends on the other side of the...

PARIS — France's wine production slumped 20 percent to its lowest level in at least 40 years after weather damage and disease caused harvests to plunge in the Champagne and Beaujolais regions. Output fell to an estimated 1.08 billion gallons from 1.3 billion gallons...

Diageo Plc (DGE.L) has agreed to buy a majority stake in United Spirits Ltd, controlled by Vijay Mallya, for $2.1 billion, fueling a push by the world's biggest spirits group into fast-growing markets. Diageo, which first tried to buy United Spirits (UNSP.NS) in 2008,...

Chinese former NBA basketball star Yao Ming has entered the US wine market with his Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon following its launch in mainland China. Ming’s company, Yao Family Wines, will distribute a limited supply of Yao Ming 2009 Napa Valley Cabernet...

The phone has been ringing off the hook at the state Liquor Control Board since the passage of Initiative 502, with most callers asking how to become a producer and retailer of marijuana for recreational use, an agency spokesman said Thursday. ONLINE For more about...

For visitors planning to party in Las Vegas, flying into McCarran International Airport often meant a detour to the liquor store before checking in at their hotel. Now travelers can save a trip and pick up a bottle of their favorite beer, wine or spirit at a new...

As if shopping on Amazon.com needed to get any more dangerous: The online retailer will now start selling wine in a dedicated section on its site, just in time for the holidays. Visitors to Amazon Wine will have access to more than 1,000 wines from wineries...