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.

The Diego Zamora group has reported that its Licor 43 brand finished 2011 with sales of 500 000 cases worldwide, 4.2 million liters, which represents an increase of more than 25% over 2010.

Wine merchant Laithwaites Wine has concluded the purchase of Chateau du Bois, a vineyard near the village of Castillon in Bordeaux, France.

Altia, the wine and spirits group that focuses on the Nordic countries, has announced a 7.6% net sales increase to €524.8 million for the year January to December 2011.

French spirits group La Martiniquaise has finalised negotiations to take over Quartier Français Spiritueux. The financial details of the acquisition have not been disclosed. La Martiniquaise first announced their intention to acquire the company in early 2011. 

Chivas Brothers has launched two 17-year old Ballantine’s expressions under the new line, Signature Distillery Editions.

Gruppo Campari plans to build a US$44m bottling facility at the Wild Turkey distillery in Kentucky, US.

Johnnie Walker has taken first place in Brands by Value, a list of the world’s 50 most valuable drinks brands.

Pernod Ricard’s CEO Piere Pringuet has spoken out about Havana Club’s flat half-year sales growth, branding its performance “disappointing”.

Heineken has announced net profits of €1.5 billion before one-off items, an increase of 9.2%.

The European Forum for Responsible Drinking (EFRD) has launched a web-campaign to promote responsible marketing practices for alcoholic beverages. The objective is to explain in plain language how EU-wide codes of advertising should be applied.

SAB Miller’s group chief brewer is to retire. Professor Barry Axcell will step down at the end of July 2012.

Diageo has delivered 3% volume growth and 7% organic net sales increase for the six months ended December 31, 2011.

Exports of Austrian wine by value have exceeded estimates as a result of higher prices and a decline in bulk wine.

The Scotch Whisky Association has launched a report, which outlines the number of jobs supported by the scotch whisky industry. 

Heineken USA has appointed Brian Fried as regional vice president sales, western region, effective immediately.

Global business consultancy McKinney Rogers has appointed a former Bacardi USA president to its board.

Beam Inc, the US-based global spirits company, has reported full-year net sales increases of 8%.

Annual sales of cognac are worth €2 billion thanks to a surge in XO and VSOP sales in the Far East, says the Cognac Bureau (BNIC).

Pernod Ricard USA has announced the appointment of Southern Wine & Spirits of America as its spirits and wine distributor in the state of Washington.

First Drinks will be the new UK distributor of CEDC brands Zubrówka Bison Grass Vodka and Green Mark - the world's fourth largest vodka.

Former Diageo northern Europe managing director Benet Slay has become to the chief executive of Carlsberg UK.

Entries are now being taken for the International Cider Challenge.

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.

Central European Distribution Corporation (CEDC) has signed a five-year exclusive agreement to distribute Beam brands in Poland.

Pernod Ricard UK has announced the following senior appointments within its executive committee and senior management group with immediate effect.

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 is to launch a trial of its Miller Genuine Draft brand in the Zhejjang region of China.

Jägermeister parent company Mast-Jägermeister has appointed Denis Schrey to its management team.

Diageo has announced a €153 million investment into a ‘brewing centre of excellence’ in Dublin.

A man has been found dead at the Glenfiddich distillery in Scotland. According to several newspapers,  Brian Ettles died in a 16ft washback.

Diageo has completed the acquisition of the Meta Abo Brewery in Ethiopia for US$225 million.

There is unlikely to be any ice wine from Germany this year because of the mild winter north west Europe is experiencing.

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 has appointed new chief executive officers for its champagne brands Moet & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin.

The 2012 Pre-mixed Drinks Challenge was Drinks International’s fourth examination of the category and our most wide-ranging yet.

Budvar has reported record export results for 2011.