As reported in the February issue of Drinks International, Henkell the German sparkling wine company, has finalised the deal to buy 50.67% of Freixenet SA’s shares.

Diageo has announced the acquisition of Belsazar GmbH, a premium aperitif from Germany’s Black Forest for an undisclosed fee.

Macedonian Thrace Brewery (MTB) has welcomed the success in its long-running legal battle with Heineken and its 98.8%-owned Greek operating subsidiary, Athenian Brewery (AB), for anti-competitive market abuses in Greece.

Coca-Cola’s plans to release an alcoholic beverage in Japan in 2018 is a survival strategy according to big data experts.

Maxxium UK has announced that it is to change its name to Edrington-Beam Suntory UK Distribution Limited, from April 1.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association’s annual conference has been recognised by the European Association Awards ceremony in Belgium.

William Grant & Sons has appointed Enda O’Sullivan as managing director to Latin America, overseeing the hoped for growth of the company’s brand portfolio. 

Tales of the Cocktail is now under new ownership bringing to an end a controversial period for the New Orleans festival.

Sales of Jameson Irish whiskey have increased 12% in the first half of the 2018 financial year to become Pernod Ricard’s joint largest whiskey brand in terms of volume.

The drinks industry’s first global intelligence network, Drinktank, has been set up to change the way brands work with the on-trade.

Diageo has paired up with consumer insights company Join the Dots to further understand the consumption trends in Africa.

Bacardi Limited, the world’s largest privately held spirits company, has announced the internal promotion of Vijay S. Subramaniam to managing director - Asia Pacific, the Middle East & Africa (AMEA).

Pernod Ricard has renewed its partnership with the Erasmus Students Network on raising awareness of responsible drinking for students within Europe.

Diageo, the world’s largest premium spirits company, has announced its interim results for six months ended December 31, 2017.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has been shortlisted for two European Association Awards, which will take place on February 23 in Brussels.

Tesco has renewed its role as gold level corporate patron of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET).

Business speakers at the International Bulk Wine and Spirits Show will cover private lable strategies and maximising profits over two days in London this February.

While UK Millennials are drinking less than their parents, they remain a significant market for alcohol producers, according to GlobalData.

De Kuyper Royal Distillers has announced that it is to cooperate with Beam Suntory in marketing its brands in the Netherlands.

Miles Beale, chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association has praised the decision made by chancellor of the exchequer Philip Hammond to freeze UK wine and spirits duty.

The Stoli Group has announced the appointment of Cellar Trends as the exclusive distributor for its portfolio in the UK, effective January 1, 2018.

Dutch distiller, Dutch Spirits, has announced the retirement of founder and owner Toon Blij from his role as CEO who will be replaced by Andy Mallows, former managing director.

Global premium spirits business William Grant & Sons has reported profits of £222.1m after tax for the year ended 31 December 2016.

De Kuyper Royal Distillers has acquired Cherry Heering, one of the oldest cherry liqueurs in the world, from its brand owner Peter F. Heering.

Distell, South Africa’s leading wine, spirits and cider company, is gearing up to punch above its weight.

William Grant & Sons has announced three changes to its leadership team in the UK and EMEA regions.

William Grant & Sons has announced three changes to its leadership team in the UK and EMEA regions.

Pernod Ricard has achieved more than €9 billion in sales for its financial year 2016/17.

Pernod Ricard has recorded a +3.6% organic sales growth for the 2017 financial year and a +22% free cash flow growth.

The WSTA wants ‘the right’ Brexit deal with the EU to ensure trade is uninterrupted now that wine is the UK’s sixth most exported food and drink product.

Andrew King, CEO of Funkin, spoke to Hamish Smith about business in the current cocktail climate

Cockspur rum will be distributed through Quintessential Brands’ off-trade and on-trade distribution arms - Essential Drinks and Marblehead Brand Development respectively - from September 1, 2017.

Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world’s largest brewer, has reached a non-binding agreement with Anadolu Efes to merge its existing Russia and Ukraine businesses.

David Cox is set to retire as chief executive at The Benevolent, the drinks industry charity at the end of the year.

Funkin has signed a partnership deal with De Kuyper Royal Distillers, which will become its exclusive Netherlands distributor. 

Italian drinks group Gruppo Campari has announced ‘very good results’ for the first half of 2017 with total sales reaching €844.7m, an organic growth of 6.8%.

The chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, Miles Beale has warned that ministers in the UK parliament need to set aside differences and produce a clear plan for Brexit or trade will suffer.

Pernod Ricard USA’s New Brand Ventures division, has completed the acquisition of a majority stake in Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal.

Diageo chief executive Ivan Menezes says the company is ‘restless as hell’ following the release of its annual market report for the year ending 30 June 2017, despite profits growing up to 25%.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has announced Lord Price, minister of state for international trade and Wetherspoon boss, Tim Martin as keynote speakers at this year’s WSTA Annual Conference this September.

Allied Blenders & Distillers, the third largest spirits company in India with volumes of 33.2 million cases, has announced the appointment of Paramjit Singh Gill as its president and CEO.

Liquefied natural gas providers are working on a joint project to bring LNG to Scottish breweries and distilleries which are not on the existing natural-gas grid.

The Specialist Importers Trade Tasting, a series of one-day events for independent wine buyers in all trade markets, will take place on September 18 in Bristol and on September 20 in London.

The International Bulk Wine & Spirits Show (IBWSS) will take place in London on February 26-27, 2018 as an opportunity for winegrowers to grow its private labels and bulk business.

Estonian drinks company, AS Liviko, says it has been hit by endless excise increases and the impact of various economic activities in the region.

Wine and Spirit Trade Association CEO Miles Beale, has called for the government to follow through with its Brexit negotiations.

Drinkaware has appointed Dr Fiona Sim as chief medical advisor to chair its independent medical advisory panel and monitor the charity’s medical evidence.

International spirits group Quintessential Brands has appointed Simon Williams as group operations director, with immediate effect.

The latest HMRC figures have revealed that sales of spirits have brought more money to the Treasury than beer for the first time in history.

Scottish politician Calum Kerr has highlighted the impact that Brexit could have on Scotland’s flourishing food and drinks sector.