US: Heineken, the New York-Presbyterian Healthcare System and White Plains Hospital Center have issued tips to help prevent excess drinking during Prom season.

William Grant & Sons has appointed Glenn Gordon as non-executive chairman.

Georgetown Trading is looking for new Irish whiskey suppliers for its John L Sullivan brand following Beam’s decision not to renew contracts between Cooley Distillery and third-party brands.

Patrón Spirits has partnered with the Turkish importer BT to distribute the company's tequilas and XO Cafe coffee liqueur.

Jack Teeling has left his position as managing director of Cooley Distillery, just months after its sale to Beam, to set up an independent Irish whiskey company.

New Zealand Winegrowers has announced the dates and details of its Pinot Noir conference, 2013

Heineken USA has appointed Christopher Wade to the newly created position of vice president of sales development, effective May 1, 2012. 

Diageo has announced the completion of the mandatory tender offer for the outstanding shares in Chinese white spirits company, Sichuan Shuijingfang

Pernod Ricard, supported by 25 banks, has signed a new €2.5 billion, five-year multi-currency revolving credit facility.

Rémy Cointreau's consolidated turnover for the 2011/12 financial year was €1,026.1 million, an increase of 13% (up 15.6% organically) compared with the previous year.

Russian Standard Corporation will invest $310m and assume 28% of CEDC's shares as part of a new strategic alliance.

SAB Miller has announced a number of directorate and senior management changes that will become effective from the company’s annual general meeting on July 26, 2012.

Following its €95m purchase of Cooley Distillery, Beam will phase out the supply of third-party brands to concentrate on building its core Irish whiskeys: Kilbeggan, Tyrconnell, Connemara and Greenore.

The Edrington Group has announced the appointments of new distillery managers at its single malt scotch brands Highland Park and The Macallan.

The Edrington Group has announced the appointments of new distillery managers at its single malt scotch brands Highland Park and The Macallan.

The US-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement will officially enter into force on May 15, 2012, according to an announcement from the US Distilled Spirits Council (DISCUS).

The Chinese wine market of the future will feature more white and sweet red wines, according to a report by Wine Intelligence.

Anheuser-Busch InBev’s Brazil-based arm AmBev and E. León Jimenes which owns 83.5% of Cervecería Nacional Dominicana (CND) are to form a 'strategic alliance' in the Caribbean.

Chapel Down has joined forces with Gaucho Restaurants and Wines of Argentina to create the first Argentinian-grown, English-made Malbec.

Diageo has appointed Thibaut Eissautier to the role of chief procurement officer. 

The McLaren Vale Grape, Wine and Tourism Association (MVGWTA), the generic body that represents growers in the premium wine producing region in south-east Australia, has announced the appointment of a new chief executive officer.

Pierre Ferrand Cognac's orange liqueur, Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao - created in collaboration with cocktail historian David Wondrich - has been rolled out to the US.

Guy Wilkes, best known for his time with fine-wine merchant Negociants UK, has died aged 49.

SPI Group has appointed Nigel Bath as Asia Pacific regional director.

Molson Coors is to purchase Staropramen brewer StarBev for €2.65 billion ($3.54 billion). 

Emerging markets will continue to drive alcoholic drinks volume and value growth in 2012, according to Euromonitor International.

Events firm Brintex has voiced optimism ahead of this year’s London International Wine Fair (LIWF) and Distil despite the absences of Pernod Ricard, Percy Fox (Diageo’s UK wine division) and PLB.

Edinburgh-based Scotch Whisky Experience has opened the doors to its whisky shop, following a £1million refurbishment.

William Grant & Sons has announced a €35m plan to take the production of Tullamore Dew back to its former home in Tullamore.

The scotch whisky category belied global economic instability in 2011 by growing sales value 23% to a record £4.2billion.

SPI Group has signed a five-year agreement with Telford International Company for the distribution of its Stolichnaya portfolio in China.

Campari America has joined the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS).

Paul Medder, Wine Intelligence's country manager for Brazil, offers his analysis of the effects of protectionism in the burgeoning Brazilian wine market.

The UK government has pledged to introduce a minimum alcohol price of 40p per unit and the ban of by-one-get-one-free deals in a bid to counter binge drinking.

Stock Spirits Group (SSG) registered profit growth but revenue decline in 2011, having been influenced by “a challenging market backdrop”.

UK: The Chancellor has added another 41p to a bottle of spirits and 11p to a bottle of wine in the latest Budget.

China: Diageo has been given the go-ahead to make an offer for the remaining shares of ShuiJingFang. The maximum offer stands at GBP630m.

Central European Distribution Corporation (CEDC) has extended its links with Gallo Vineyards to include the distribution of Barefoot wines in Poland.

Berry Bros. & Rudd Spirits has announced Cask Liquid Marketing will assume UK distribution for The King’s Ginger liqueur and The Pink Pigeon vanilla-infused rum.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association, the lead body for the UK wine and spirits sectors, has announced the appointment of Miles Beale as its new chief executive.

Pernod Ricard has announced the launch of Malibu Sunshine, a citrus edition of the rum and coconut liqueur.

As the third consecutive "great" Beaujolais vintage readies for market and glasses, the talk in the region has turned to another newcomer, the newly formed appellation of Coteaux Bourguignon.

The Champagne Bureau has reported increased shipments in 2011. Total shipments worldwide rose from 319.5 million bottles in 2010 to 323 million in 2011.

Henkell & Co Sektkellerei has acquired cava producer Cavas Hill.

Italian drinks company Davide Campari-Milano has reported a group net profit for 2011 of €159.2m, up from €156.2m in 2010.

Bacardi has appointed a new CEO, following the retirement of Séamus McBride.

Berry Bros & Rudd. one of the world's oldest and most famous wine merchants,  has bought Richards Walford & Co, the independent shippers based in Stamford, Lincolnshire, subject to contract.

The trade wine fair ProWein attracted over 40,000 visitors, according to its organisers Messe Düsseldorf.

Su Birch, CEO of Wines of South Africa (WoSA) is the winner of Wine Intelligence’s inaugural ‘10 for 10 Business Award’.

Gifting remains the driving force behind wine sales growth in China, according to research by Wine Intelligence.