Comedian has Joly good time in Bordeaux
The Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB) has teamed up with comedian Dom Joly to produce a series of videos.
DI September goes online
The September edition of Drinks International is now online and can be downloaded as a digital magazine by clicking here.
Beam announces management changes
Beam Inc has announced a new commercial structure in its Europe/Middle East/Africa (EMEA) region.
Alcohol Concern loses its CEO
The board of Alcohol Concern, the anti-alcohol lobby group in the UK, has announced a restructuring of its senior management following the loss of core funding with the role of the CEO becoming part time for a year alongside the recruitment of a full time director of fundraising and campaigning.
Heineken to sponsor 2015 Rugby World Cup
Heineken has extended its sponsorship of the Rugby World Cup to remain its official beer supplier and worldwide partner for the 2015 tournament in England.
Foursquare takes top gongs at Golden Rum Barrel Awards
UK Rumfest has announced the winners of the Golden Rum Barrel Awards 2011, with Foursquare Distillery of Barbados taking home two of the top prizes.
Nick Hyde is the new WSTA chairman
The Wine and Spirit Trade Assoication (WSTA) has announced that Nick Hyde, managing director of Diageo Wines Europe, is its new chairman.
C&C CEO to step down
The CEO of Magners cider manufacturer C&C Group is to step down at the end of the year.
Pernod posts strong first quarter results
Pernod Ricard has announced net sales (excluding tax and duties) of €1.987 million for the first quarter of 2011/12 (July 1 – September 30, 2011).
SABMiller and Analdolu Efes form strategic alliance
SABMiller, has formed a strategic alliance for Turkey, Russia, the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States, former Soviet republics), central Asia and the Middle East with the Turkish brewer, Anadolu Efes.
Patrón enters India with Aspri Spirits
Patrón Spirits International has teamed up with Mumbai-based agent Aspri Spirits to distribute its portfolio of tequila, vodka and rum in India.
Cert Octavian announces new MD
Cert Octavian Plc, the UK’s leading logistics and specialist wine cellarage business, has announced that Vincent O’Brien is managing director with immediate effect.
World’s Most Admired Wine Brands is published online
Drinksint.com is now home to the World’s Most Admired Wine Brands magazine supplement, a comprehensive industry poll of the world's best regarded wine.
DIVA to distribute SA wines
French distributor DIVA (Distribution Internationale de Vins et Alcools) has created DIVA South Africa to market some of the country’s ‘premium’ wines to an international audience.
Belvedere appoints CEO, looks to clear debts
Sobieski vodka owner Belvedere has appointed Krzysztof Trylinski as chairman and chief executive officer of the group. He aims to clear the company's debt by selling two of its brands.
ISC trophies announced
The winners of the International Spirits Challenge trophies have been announced.
Russia: Roust and Rémy strengthen ties
Russian Standard vodka owner Roust and Rémy Cointreau have announced the expansion of their partnership in Russia which will include the distribution of additional Rémy Cointreau brands.
Constellation acquires Ruffino wine brand
Constellation Brands has purchased the remaining 50.1% of Italian wine brand Ruffino from MPF International.
Pernod announces staff shuffle
Pernod Ricard has announced a number of staff changes.
Beam floats in Fortune Brands break up
US Spirits company Fortune Brands today begun trading as Beam on the New York stock exchange, following the separation of its businesses.
Sazerac buys 17 brands from Corby
Buffalo Trace bourbon owner the Sazerac Company has agreed to purchase 17 brands from Pernod Ricard‘s Corby Distillers.
Former Brown Forman chairman dies
Owsley Brown II, former chairman and CEO of Brown-Forman has died after a brief illness. He was 69 years old.
Angostura CEO steps down
Angostura Holdings has announced the departure of managing director and CEO Wayne Yip Choy, effective September 21, 2011.
Italy: Stoli changes distributor
SPI Group has agreed a new distribution deal with Velier, for the entire Stolichnaya portfolio in Italy.
Russia: Whyte & Mackay teams up with Roust
Whyte & Mackay has announced a partnership with Russian Standard vodka owner Roust. The deal is for the distribution and promotion of the Glasgow-based company’s spirits portfolio in Russia.
Pernod announces new MD for Pernod Ricard UK
Denis O’Flynn, currently managing director – Ireland for Irish Distillers, is the new managing director of Pernod Ricard UK from October 17.
Can firm to spend £68m on new plant
Packaging company Rexam is to build a new beverage can plant in Finland.
Stella Artois anoints UK Draught Master
Stella Artois is gearing up for its World Draught Masters final in Buenos Aires, having anointed a champion from its UK heat.
DISCUS issues digital marketing guidelines to brands
The Distilled Spirits Council of the US (DISCUS) and the European Forum for Responsible Drinking have issued guidelines for responsible alcohol advertising and marketing.
Foster’s accepts improved SABMiller takeover bid
The board of Foster’s Group has recommended to its shareholders that an improved takeover offer by SABMiller is accepted.
Belvédère Group enters 'judicial restructuring'
The Belvédère Group and wine company Moncigale are under the care of the court after a judgement was made on September 20 by the Tribunal de Commerce de Nimes.
Burn Stewart Distillers posts profits
Burn Stewart Distillers, producer of brands Bunnahabhain and Scottish Leader, has announced net profits of £3.7 for the financial year ending December 31 2010.
Diageo strengthens ties with Facebook
Diageo has announced plans to step-up its multi-million dollar strategic partnership with social media website Facebook.
Drambuie announces annual results
Drambuie has reported operating profits of £2.81m – up 2% on last year.
Somerset Cider Brandy gets EU protection
UK: Somerset Cider Brandy has been granted geographical protection.
Diageo’s catalyst for change
Diageo has announced the launch of Catalyst, a stand-alone group that will focus exclusively on what it describes as high potential brands.
Businesses urged to make Responsibility Deal pledges
The UK government has urged the drinks industry to back its Responsibility Deal aimed at countering binge drinking and alcoholism.
Scotch whisky exports up 22%
The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has announced that the value of scotch exports for the first half of 2011 is up 22%
Champagne holds breath after “earliest harvest”
Growers, cooperatives and houses in Champagne have offered ambivalent first appraisals of the 2011 vintage, following what has been described as the appellation’s “earliest ever harvest”.
CIVB appoints marketing director
The Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB) or Bordeaux Wine Council, which represents Bordeaux vine growers and négociants, has announced the appointment of François Jumeau as its new marketing director.
Follador to sponsor Drinks International’s Travel Retail Awards
Drinks International is delighted to announce that premier Italian Prosecco producer Follador is to sponsor this year's Travel Retail Awards.
Eleven new masters of wine
The Institute of Masters of Wine has announced 11 new masters of wine.
Pernod finance md underlines importance of emerging markets
The importance of the so-called emerging markets such as those in China, India, was underlined by the Pernod Ricard management team in individual briefings in London today (Tuesday September 6), following the announcement of the group’s annual results last week.
Pernod posts 7% sales growth
Pernod Ricard has posted annual organic sales growth of 7% to achieve a turnover of €7.6b.
Beam appoints mixables manager
Beam Global has appointed Debora Boyda to the role of general manager of the Mixables Category Business Team (CBT).
Diageo posts strong results
Diageo has cited ‘emerging markets’ as a reason for its positive results – including 16% growth in scotch whisky in emerging markets.
Glenmorangie Company appoints new president
The Glenmorangie Company has promoted chief operating officer Paul Skipworth to the post of president and managing director.
Diageo completes Mey Içki purchase
Diageo has announced that it has completed the acquisition of Turkish spirits firm Mey Içki, after receiving regulatory clearances.
Diageo acquires additional Halico stake
Vietnam: Global drinks giant Diageo has closed a Public Offer to acquire an additional 5.07% stake in Hanoi Liquor Joint Stock Company (“Halico”) for approximately £6.4 million.
Asahi to buy Flavoured Beverages Group
Asahi Group has reached an agreement to acquire Australsian-based drinks operator, Flavoured Beverages Group.