Team Italy has won the 2011 42 Below Cocktail World Cup.

Beam Global Spirits & Wine, the premium spirits business of Fortune Brands has announced a ten year incentive-based agreement with Coca-Cola Amatil in Australia.

Angostura has crowned the winner of its 2011 Global Cocktail Challenge. Andy Griffiths from Cookie bar in Melbourne, Australia, took home the US$10,000 prize as well as a one year brand ambassadorship.

Bushmills has announced that it will launch a global competition on St Patrick’s day, called Make it 2 Bushmills.

Diageo has announced the launch of super premium vodka Smirnov Titul to the Russian market.

Scotch company Gordon & MacPhail has launched The Glenlivet 70 Year Old, priced at £13,000 a bottle.

Jameson has devised a trio of St Patrick’s day promotions, including a global music event, radio broadcast and a special edition bottle.

Jeff Clarke has been appointed chief winemaker at Marlborough’s Ara Wines.

Heineken has proposed that Charlotte Kwist replaces her uncle Dirk Pieter Hoyer as a director of Heineken Holdings.

Rémy Martin has announced the sale of a 1930s crystal carafe containing Louis XIII cognac, for an estimated €50,000.

Cork producer Amorim recorded double-digit volume growth in 2010.

Havana Club grew by 15% in 2010, following strong performances in Cuba, Germany, France and the UK.

William Grant & Sons has repackaged its Grant’s Sherry Cask Finish and Ale Cask Finish expressions.

AB InBev’s buoyant Asia-Pacific and Latin America markets have offset negative growth in North America and Europe, to spur overall revenue growth.

Scotch distiller Laphroaig has announced the global roll out of its Triple Wood expression.

The Rémy Cointreau Group has announced that it has entered into “exclusive negotiations with EPI” to sell its champagne division.

US distributors Glazer’s has appointed Robert Swartz as chief operating officer and Phil Meacham as executive vice president malt beverages.

Brown-Forman has sold its Fetzer wine business to Concha y Toro for US$238 million. The transaction is expected to close in April 2011.

UK gin distiller G&J Greenall has celebrated its 250th birthday by redesigning its Original London Dry Gin.

Clink! Wines, distributors to the UK and mainland Europe, has appointed Mariola Martinez as operations manager.

Fortune Brands has said it sees a “bright and prosperous future for Beam Global as an independent spirits company”.

The South African government has increased excise duty on spirits by 10% and wine by 8%.

UK spirits group Ian Macleod Distillers has recorded a 41% profit, buoyed by the growth of Glengoyne single malt whisky.

UK: Trade bodies Wine and Spirits Trade Association (WSTA) and the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) have denied that UK alcohol consumption is rising.

Moderate drinking can help prevent heart disease, according to a new report in the British Medical Journal. The report, which is a review of research published over 30 years, said individuals who drink alcohol in moderation are less likely to develop heart disease compared to non-drinkers.

E&J Gallo has introduced a red wine that has been blended specifically so it can be drunk chilled.

Scotch brand Chivas Regal and designer Vivienne Westwood have collaborated to launch a new limited edition whisky.

Diageo has struck an agreement to acquire Turkey's "leading" spirits company, Mey Içki.

Whisky retailer Master of Malt has launched a liqueur made from single malt scotch whisky.

Nemiroff has reported strong growth in 2010. The Ukrainian vodka brand said sales volumes rose to $473.6 million – $56.8 million (13.6%) up on the previous year. The company said the largest growth areas were Ukraine and Poland.

Pernod Ricard has reported a sales increase of 13% to €4.28 billion in its half year results.

Beam Global Spirits & Wine has appointed Albert Baladi as president of Europe/Middle East/Africa (EMEA), effective March 5.

Foster’s Group has announced a proposal to demerge Treasury Wine Estates at a cost of AU$151m.

Brown-Forman has launched Canadian 'maple wood' whisky, Collingwood, in four US states.

Scotch whisky Royal Salute has announced its sponsorship of the Sentebale’s Polo Cup in Dubai.

Europe: The Glenmorangie Company has launched new expression Finealta at the newly-reopened Savoy Hotel in London.

UK importer PLB has been appointed by Rioja winery Bodegas Navajas, with effect from March this year.

Diageo has reported an 4% increase in organic net sales growth for H2 of 2010, despite a drop of 3% in Europe.

The Australian wine market faces tough challenges ahead because of a growing reliance on discounting, according to Wine Intelligence.

Ara, the Malborough-based New Zealand winery, has appointed Matthew Adams to the role of sales and marketing general manager.

Belgian beers Duvel and Liefmans have been launched in India.

Non-refillable closures company Guala Closures has acquired Spanish closure manufacturing company and former Guala Closures licensee Plastivit, which has facilities in Barcelona and Veracruz (Mexico).

The Supreme Court of Spain has ruled in favour of Pernod Ricard and the Cuban government in the Havana Club trademark dispute with Bacardi.

Diageo has announced a new global brand director for Guinness. Oliver Loomes has been appointed to the role, following Brian Duffy’s promotion to global category director for beer.

UK: AB InBev has launched a cider under the Stella Artois name. Stella Artois Cidre will be available from easter 2011 in 568ml bottles and 440ml cans and the company suggests serving the product over ice.

Santiago Quevedo has been appointed to the position of trade marketing manager and brand ambassador at Rémy Cointreau Travel Retail Americas (RCTRA).

The owner of website domain name islay.com has announced that it will be sold on ebay.

Constellation Wines Australia and Europe has been renamed Accolade Wines following the completed acquisition of an 80% share in the company by Australian equity group Champ.

Diageo aims to cut its global carbon emissions by 50% by 2015, while Bacardi has published details of its environmental advancements.

In its fourth edition, the International Cognac Summit (ICS) 2011, attempted to answer the question: can you quantify pleasure when tasting cognac?