South Africa: The KWV board has announced that CEO Thys Loubser (pictured) has resigned as company CEO with immediate effect.

Foster's Group has announced the appointment of Andy Gibson to the role of chief marketing officer. Andy is expected to start in the role on November 1.

Diageo has appointed a head of its Western Europe division. From September 1, John Kennedy is to become chief operating officer, Diageo Western Europe. Kennedy is currently managing director, Diageo Ireland.

Irish Distillers CEO Alexandre Ricard (pictured) is to leave his post to join Pernod’s group general management team in Paris.

The Vinho Verde Wine Commission (CVRVV), in Portugal, has invested €5m on a three-year global promotion.

Korea’s 20% import tariff on spirits come down today (July 1) as a result of a free trade agreement (FTA) between the European Union and South Korea.

Pernod Ricard has announced the disposal, by its affiliate Pernod Ricard Europe, of its shares in Georgian Wine and Spirits LLC to JSC Marussia (Georgia).

E & J Gallo Winery has announced an agreement to purchase Edna Valley Vineyard from Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines Company and Paragon Vineyard Company, who held Edna Valley Vineyard as a joint venture.

Ian Macleod Distillers has purchased the Tamdhu distillery in Speyside, from the Edrington Group.

Chinese regulators have approved Diageo’s acquisition of an additional 4% stake in Sichuan Chengdu Quanxing Group (Quanxing) from Chengdu Yingsheng Investment Holding Co (Yingsheng).

Costellation Wines Australia and Europe has officially become Accolade Wines - as of June 27. Accolade brands include Hardy’s and Echo Falls.

Scotland: Diageo is to invest £20 million in its Speyside whisky facilities.

Drinks International’s Hamish Smith catches up with Vinexpo CEO Robert Beynat at 2011 show.

Foster's has rejected a takeover bid from SABMiller. Foster's Group said that it received an "unsolicited, incomplete, non-binding and conditional proposal" from SABMiller to acquire all of the shares in Foster's via a scheme of arrangement at a price of $4.90 per share in cash.

The CEO of the Fladgate Partnership has called for the quality standard of rosé port to be raised.

Budweiser has signed a three-year agreement with The Football Association to become the ‘lead partner’ of The FA Cup.

Australian winery Brown Brothers has appointed Rachel Herrig as brand manager to “drive the brand’s development in the UK and Ireland”.

A 170-year old bottle of champagne salvaged from a shipwreck in the Baltic Sea has fetched €30,000 at auction.

Morrison Bowmore Distillers has made five new appointments within its sales and marketing team.

Champagne Jacquart has announced the appointment of Floriane Eznack as winemaker.

The Glenglassaugh Distillery Company has appointed Mhairi McDonald and Graeme Morrison, to together fill the out-going role of distillery manager.

Diageo subsidiary East African Breweries (EAB) has purchased all of SAB Miller’s 20% shareholding in Kenya Breweries (KB). The transaction is worth US$225 million. The deal is subject to EAB disposing of its 20% shareholding in Tanzania Breweries – by way of public offer through the Dar-es-Salaam Stock Exchange.

Portugal: The Blandy Group has regained control of the Madeira Wine Company (MWC) from Symington Family Estates. Symington will still retain a minority share in the business, but intends to concentrate on its Cockburn port brand, which it purchased last year.

The Distilled Spirits Council in the US (DISCUS) has increased the demographic placement standard in its Code of Responsible Advertising Practices. The change reflects the 2010 Census data, which shows that 71.6% of the US population is 21 years of age and older. The previous demographic was 70%.