Scotch Whisky Is A £5bn Industry In The UK

BBC: Scotch whisky 'worth £5bn to UK economy'

Scotch whisky contributes almost £5bn to the UK economy and supports more than 40,000 jobs, according to research commissioned by the industry.

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) said the sector now accounted for 25% of total UK food and drink exports.

Its report also suggested that the industry's direct economic impact had grown by 21% since 2008, to £3.3bn.

It found it added more value to the economy than shipbuilding, iron and steel, textiles or computing.

The report also concluded that Scotch whisky supported almost 11,000 jobs directly.

Editor: I expected a bigger amount.

The Next Big Wine Regions In The World

A worker cuts a bunch of Sangiovese grapes during the harvest at the Biondi Santi vineyard in the Val d'Orcia close to the Tuscan town of Montalcino in central Italy, September 22, 2004. Credit: Reuters/Max Rossi

Bloomberg: The World's Next Big Wine Regions

Eight hot spots producing your next great bottle

I’ve always been a wine-discovery junkie, constantly on the hunt for new grapes, new vintages, new winemakers, and especially new places where vines may never have been planted before. Thanks to ambitious vintners, rising demand from drinkers, a taste shift to lighter wine styles, and yes, even climate change, the number of global hot spots for wine is ever expanding. If you’re still rattling off the names of the old, long-famous regions, you’re way behind the times. In these eight spots, good wine is on its way to becoming great wine, with a few stars leading the way.

Editor: I am not surprised that the country of Georgia is there .... they have produced some of the best fortified wines that I have ever tasted.

A Look At Argentinian Wines

CBC: Argentina wines offer good value, says wine columnist

Argentinian wines are crowd-pleasers that offer a good bang for your buck

My Comment: I have always found their Malbecs to be a pleasant surprise (see the above video) .... and the price has always been cheap. If you have a chance ... definitely try one.