Diageo director is new head of Carlsberg UK
Former Diageo northern Europe managing director Benet Slay has become to the chief executive of Carlsberg UK.
International Cider Challenge open for entries
Entries are now being taken for the International Cider Challenge.
Beam makes senior appoint
Beam, the US-based global premium spirits company, has announced that Arthur Aroney will join the organisation as managing director of Emerging Markets for its Asia Pacific/South America (APSA) region.
CEDC pairs with Beam in Poland
Central European Distribution Corporation (CEDC) has signed a five-year exclusive agreement to distribute Beam brands in Poland.
Pernod Ricard UK announces senior appointments
Pernod Ricard UK has announced the following senior appointments within its executive committee and senior management group with immediate effect.
French wine is the ideal
French wine is the favourite of regular wine drinkers in the UK and China and the second preference in Germany, says Wine Intelligence.
SAB Miller launches beer in China
SAB Miller is to launch a trial of its Miller Genuine Draft brand in the Zhejjang region of China.
Mast-Jägermeister appoints new manager
Jägermeister parent company Mast-Jägermeister has appointed Denis Schrey to its management team.
Diageo pumps €153m into Dublin brewery
Diageo has announced a €153 million investment into a ‘brewing centre of excellence’ in Dublin.
Man dies at Glenfiddich distillery
A man has been found dead at the Glenfiddich distillery in Scotland. According to several newspapers, Brian Ettles died in a 16ft washback.
Ethiopia: Diageo completes brewery acquisition
Diageo has completed the acquisition of the Meta Abo Brewery in Ethiopia for US$225 million.
No German ice wine this year
There is unlikely to be any ice wine from Germany this year because of the mild winter north west Europe is experiencing.
Sparkling sparkles in US
US consumption of imported sparkling wine will reach new heights in 2012 due to the increased penetration of prosecco and cava, says Wine Intelligence.
LVMH appoints champagne heads
LVMH has appointed new chief executive officers for its champagne brands Moet & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin.
Pre-mixed Drinks Challenge results are published
The 2012 Pre-mixed Drinks Challenge was Drinks International’s fourth examination of the category and our most wide-ranging yet.
Czech Republic: Budvar toasts record exports
Budvar has reported record export results for 2011.
Napa Valley trade association appoints 2012 board
Napa Valley Vintners (NVV), a non-profit trade association, has announced its new board of directors for 2012.
Codorníu makes new appointments
UK: Grupo Codorníu has made four appointments. Carolyn d’Aguilar and Susannah Bearne move internally to roles in the marketing department while Jake Crimmin and Tom Barton join the UK sales team.
Fine wine prices drop 15% in 2011
Fine wine prices fell 15% in 2011, fine wine index Liv-ex has reported.
Philippines spirits tax appeal rejected
The European Union and the US Distilled Spirits Council (DISCUS) have welcomed a decision that finds the Philippines to be in breach of trade rules when it comes to tax on imported spirits.
Beam agrees Cooley Distillery purchase
Beam Inc has announced an agreement to purchase Irish whiskey producer Cooley Distillery.
Russian Standard moves into wine
Russian Standard Corporation (RSC) has acquired a 70% stake in Italian wine company Gancia.
Direct Wines reshapes its buying and merchandising team
Direct Wines, the world's largest independent wine merchant with a turnover of £350 million, has announced major changes to its buying and merchandising teams.
Heineken to up share in Haitian brewery
Heineken has declared an intention to increase its share in a brewery in Haiti to 95%.
Russian Standard proposes alliance with CEDC
Russian Standard Corporation has proposed the additional acquisition of nearly 20% of Central European Distribution Corporation’s (CEDC) shares as part of a "strategic alliance".
Rok Stars thrash out Oval's UK debut
US consumer goods company Rok Stars has stuck a deal with Castle Trade Services to launch its recently acquired Oval vodka in the UK.
Brown-Forman posts 12% half-year growth
Brown-Forman has reported double-digit half-year net sales growth after a strong performance from its Jack Daniel's brand.
Russian Standard buys CEDC share for $25m
Vodka company Russian Standard has purchased a 9.9% share in CEDC (Central European Distribution Corporation) for $25.35 million.
Irish Distillers confirms £100m expansion
Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard has confirmed it will spend €100m on the 2012 expansion of its Midleton Single Distillery, the site where Jameson is produced.
Rémy Cointreau cites Asia in H1 profit spike
Rémy Cointreau has attributed its positive half-year profits to “remarkable” growth in Asia and “strong” performances in the US and Europe.
Scotland: Diageo opens £10m cooperage
Diageo has opened a £10 million cooperage in Scotland.
Africa: Diageo opens $55m brewery
Diageo subsidiary East African Breweries Limited (EABL) has opened a $55 million brewery in Moshi, Tanzania.
Fuller's posts half-year growth of 6%
London Pride brewer Fuller’s has announced half-year growth of 6% after registering a turnover of £128m.
Boisset buys Skalli winery
Boisset, La Famille des Grands Vins has purchased the Skalli winery and brands in the Languedoc and Rhône Valley. The financial details were not disclosed.
Accolade sets its stall out
Accolade Wines has set its stall out, 10 months after Constellation Brands sold off its international wine division to an Australian private equity group.
Accolade receives £150m from GE Capital
Hardys and Banrock Station brand owner Accolade Wines is to receive a £150 million financing facility from GE Capital.
Mexico: Beam teams up with La Madrileña
US: Mexico-based La Madrileña is to distribute Beam’s entire portfolio in Mexico. As part of the performance-based agreement, effective on January 1, 2012, La Madrileña will be the exclusive distributor of Beam’s brands, including Jim Beam bourbon, Sauza tequila, Courvoisier cognac and Cruzan rum.
ProWein to be bigger
ProWein organisers Messe Düsseldorf, has announced that next year’s show will be bigger with the opening of an additional hall.
Asia-Pacific to become the fastest-growing alcoholic drinks region over the next five years
International Wine & Spirit Research (IWSR) says that Asia-Pacific will be the fastest-growing region for the alcoholic beverage markets over the next five years.
China falls in love with Italian wine, claims Vinitaly organiser
Veronafiere, organisers of the Vinitaly exhibition, claims China has fallen in love with its Italian wines which were in show at the recent Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair (HKIWSF).
Pernod Ricard appoints new Absolut marketing chief
The Absolut Company has appointed Jonas Tåhlin to the role of vice president global marketing.
Acceptance of screw-cap closures on wine bottles sold in the UK has risen to 85% of the regular wine-drinking population, according to a report on wine stoppers from Wine Intelligence.
Rok Stars buys Oval and unveils lofty ambitions
New US consumer goods company Rok Stars, headed by Patron Spirits co-founder John Paul DeJoria, has acquired Austrian vodka brand Oval.
Absolut signs with Lagena Distribution
The Absolut Company has entered into agreement with JF Hillebrand subsidiary, Lagena Distribution, for the management of the company's logistics and distribution.
Sogrape acquires Stevens Garnier
International wine producer Sogrape has acquired 100% of UK wine agency Stevens Garnier. The company previously owned 38% of Stevens Garnier and financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
Scotland: Industry blasts minimum pricing
A minimum unit price for alcohol set out in today’s (November 1) Scottish government Bill is unlikely to reduce alcohol misuse, will threaten the £3.4 billion whisky industry and will punish moderate drinkers, according to the trade.
Stock completes refinancing
Central European spirits and liqueurs company Stock Spirits Group is gearing up to acquire new business.
Douglas Laing announces double-digit growth
Glasgow-based bottler and blender Douglas Laing & Co has attributed its 11% growth to the strong performance of Asian markets.
Carlsberg UK's Sheps to leave
Carlsberg UK chief executive Isaac Sheps is leaving to take over leadership of the brewer’s Russian business, Baltika, and its eastern European operations.