SPI Group, owner of Stolichnaya russian vodka, has appointed Romain Ambrunn as Asia Pacific regional director.

London Wine Fair organisers Brintex has reported a “decidedly positive response” from existing exhibitors signing up for 2014.

Russian Standard vodka, Russia’s number one global vodka, has a new distribution partnership with Borco-Marken-Import (Borco) to manage the brand’s distribution and marketing in Germany and Austria.

Laurent Lacassagne has this week (W/C July 8) become chairman and CEO of Chivas Brothers, the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard.

Chapel Down, the English winemaker, has secured more than £4.3 million in new equity funding to expand the business and help grow its reputation both at home and overseas.

Diageo has announced that it has completed the acquisition of a further 14.98% stake in United Spirits Limited (USL), the leading spirits company in India.

Maxxium UK has added Snow Leopard vodka to its portfolio of brands.

Quintessential Brands unveiled Opihr Oriental Spiced Gin yesterday at UK on-trade show Imbibe Live.

Diageo has launched an IR (investor relations) and Media App for iPhones, iPads and Android platforms.

Marblehead, the privately-owned UK-based, brand development and distribution company, has announced a new partnership with Quintessential Brands, the independent spirits company.

Edrington has announced that group profit before tax is up 13% to £168.6 million and turnover is up 6% to £591.3m, for the year ended March 31.

The chairman and CEO of Campari America has been elected chairman of the trade body Distilled Spirits Council of the United States.

Portuguese wine company Companhia Das Quintas (CDQ) has appointed John Worontschak as group winemaker on a consultancy basis. He is to oversee production at the group’s six winemaking facilities.

Gruppo Campari has signed an agreement to acquire the business assets of Australian contract beverage packer Copack for AUD $20 million (€14.2 million).

The Intellectual Property Office in New Zealand has issued a Certificate of Trade Mark Registration providing consumer protection against wines illegitimately labelled as Napa Valley.

Beam has created a new management position for emerging markets.

The US Drinks Conference will be held at the Jacob Javits Center in New York on Tuesday, September 10.

The Fladgate Partnership has announced that it has purchased the brand, stocks and vineyard holdings of Wiese & Krohn in a deal that includes stocks of aged tawnies and colheitas dating back to 1863, plus Quinta do Retiro Novo in the Rio Torto Valley in the Douro. 

The Diego Zamora group has appointed Thomas Clamens as its international managing director.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has claimed that the Government’s wine and spirits duty escalator is to blame for UK consumers paying the fourth highest prices for alcohol in the EU.

The Wine and Spirit Education Trust is to roll out its diploma qualification to South Africa, via online distance learning. 

Exhibitors offered a mixed appraisal of Vinexpo 2013, the last Bordeaux show of Robert Beynat’s reign as CEO.

Total alcohol sales continue to fall according to the latest Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) market report.

MBG International Premium Brands GmbH has bought the liqueur maker E. Eduard Meyer GmbH from the Schwarze Schlichte group.

Edrington has announced plans to extend its international distribution network, taking control of operations in three continents.

The Comité Champagne (the educational and promotional arm of The Champagne Houses & Growers’ Association) has launched its new official Champagne website: www.champagne.com.

The West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers’ Association has relaunched its ‘Authentic Caribbean Rum' campaign.

Altia, the Nordic-based alcoholic drinks group has bought the Larsen Cognac brand and the Danish aquavit brand Brøndums.

Diageo has announced that Andy Fennell, chief marketing officer, will become president COO, Africa, reporting to Nick Blazquez, president Africa, Eastern Europe and Turkey.

The UK RumFest takes place on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 October at London's ExCeL exhibition centre in London’s Docklands

AB InBev has successfully completed its buy-out of Mexican brewer Grupo Modelo in a transaction valued at USD$20.1bn

Diego Zamora has responded to an upturn in sales with a new up-sized Licor 43 plant and headquarters in Cartagena, near Murcia in Spain.

Brand valuation and marketing company Brand Finance has compiled a ranking of the world’s biggest spirits by  brand value. Here is the top 50.

Wemyss, owner of independent bottler Wemyss Malts and blended malt whiskies such as The Spice King, The Peat Chimney and The Hive, has announced that final planning permission has now been granted for its new single malt whisky distillery and visitor centre.

The announcement yesterday of the appointment of Dave Wilson’s as Patrón Spirits’ new president of international operations and global COO, follows the surprise decision by John McDonnell to step down.

The Wine & Spirits Trade Association (WSTA) has welcomed the latest figures from the UK government’s Office of National Statistics (ONS) showing that the majority of people are drinking within weekly guideline amounts and increased awareness of alcohol units.

The Chinese government has officially recognised Champagne as a protected geographical indication.

William Grant & Sons has announced that Gordon Dron, its managing director for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) has decided to leave the company.

The new £2.5m Lakes Distillery will become the first whisky operation in the Lake District in more than 100 years, when it opens in December.

Brand valuation and marketing company Brand Finance has compiled a ranking of the world’s biggest spirits by  brand value.

Exhibitors at London International Wine Fair reported positive experiences of the 2013 show, despite visitor numbers having fallen to around 10,200.

Buffalo Trace says it will not reduce the abv of its bourbon to cope with stock shortages.

Global brewer, SABMiller, has reported group revenue growth up 10%, lager volumes rose 3% for the year to March 31 and the integration of the Foster’s business is ahead of schedule 

Diageo’s group strategy director is to retire. Jim Grover will leave the executive committee on June 30 and the business on September 30.

TFWA has reported a 13% increase in visitors at this year’s Asia Pacific conference.

India is to host a generic pavilion at the London International Wine Fair.

JF Hillebrand, leading logistics provider to the global beverage market, has clinched a five year worldwide freight services contract with Accolade Wines, the world’s fourth largest wine producer.

This Friday, May 17, is the fourth annual Sauvignon Blanc Day.

The 2013 South African wine grape harvest season exceeded the expectations, according to Vinpro a service organisation for 3,600 South African wine producers.

Neil McGuigan, recently voted the ‘World’s Best Winemaker (IWSC), wants the UK government to change the banding under which duty on wine is set.