Africa: Heineken has announced the acquisition of two holding companies from the Sona Group. The two acquired businesses have controlling interests in each of the Sona, IBBI, Benue, Life and Champion breweries in Nigeria.

New Zealand: An organic wine group has set a goal for 20% of New Zealand vineyards to be organic by 2020.

Foster’s Group has committed $500,000 to help Queensland flood victims.

French wine barrel manufacturer, Groupe Charlois, has expanded into the US with the purchase of Winemakers Cooperage (WC) from Treasury Wine Estates.

Czech beer Budvar bucked a 12% decline in Czech beer exports in 2010 to record growth of 4%.

The fourth International Cognac Summit (ICS) will focus on the effect of cognac on the palate.

Foster’s has launched an online tribute to England’s cricket victory, the first time for 24 years that England has won an Ashes Test Series in Australia.

Courvoisier cognac is to be available on Virgin Atlantic flights.

The Pre-Mixed Drinks Challenge Awards have been announced.

Saxco, a US-based group of packaging companies affiliated to Saxco International, has appointed James Hartman as quality assurance manager.

Dutch branding and packaging design consultancy Claessens/Cartils has changed its name to Cartils.

Carlton & United Breweries (CUB) and Carlsberg Group have extended their agreement for the distribution of Carlsberg brands in Australia.

Brand Phoenix has been appointed distributors for Angove Family Winemakers in the UK off-trade.

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has gained a geographical indication of origin for scotch whisky in Vietnam.

Coe Group-owned UK distributor Barwell & Jones has added Willow Bridge Estate to its portfolio of wines.

Bordeaux Wine Council has announced the release of a mobile phone application called Smart Bordeaux.

UK charities Alcohol Concern and the Children’s Society have called for “mandatory social work training” on the issues surrounding parental alcohol misuse.

Diageo Great Britain (Diageo GB) has agreed a final settlement with Intercontinental Brands (ICB) in their dispute over ICB’s Vodkat product. The settlement sees the end of litigation between the two companies that has been ongoing since 2008.

Jameson has reached three million nine litre case sales (MAT ending October 31). According to the brand, growth in the US, Jameson’s largest export market, contributed to its milestone success, with one million cases sold.

Limited edition Beefeater Winter gin has made its European travel retail debut in the main World Duty Free store in London Heathrow Terminal 3.

Russian Distiller has launched Krivach, a malted rye distillate that is said to be the first of its type in Russia for 120 years.

Cognac brand Baron Otard has launched Fortis et Fidelis, describing it as its oldest and rarest expression.

Diageo intends to grow Captain Morgan into a "global mega brand", according to Ed Pilkington, the group’s global category director for vodka, gin and rum.

First Cape Wines has announced it will sponsor the British and Irish Lions rugby tour of Australia in 2013.

Beam Global Spirits & Wine has announced expanded leadership roles for executives Bill Newlands, Phil Baldock and Bob Probst.

Former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan will deliver the keynote address at the World Climate Change and Wine Congress 2011.

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has backed the UK Government’s planned reduction of duty on low-alcohol beer.

Brugal 1888 has been launched at Brugal Island, a rum tasting bar and store situated in Madrid airport.

UK charity Drinkaware has said that tougher action is needed to counter UK binge drinking.

Central European Distribution Corporation (CEDC) is to purchase the global rights for Kauffman vodka.

Russia could be the next growth market for cider, according to a new report.

Rob Samuels has been appointed to the newly created position of chief operating officer (COO) of Maker’s Mark bourbon, one of Fortune Brands’ premium spirits brands.

Diageo has initiated discussions to take over 50% of Guatemalan rum brand Zacapa.

Stock Spirits Group, the company behind five million case vodka brand Czysta de Luxe, has appointed Credit Suisse as its financial advisor.

Amaretto brand Disaronno has hosted the final of its first Mixing Star cocktail competition in London.

Stock Spirits has made several new appointments to its senior management team.

Berry Bros & Rudd Spirits (BBRS) has added a rum brand to its spirits portfolio.

Chivas Brothers is taking its travel retail aged whisky campaign to the Americas.

A Pinot Noir from the Central Otago region has been named Champion Wine at the Air New Zealand Wine Awards.

Jack Daniel’s celebrated the 160th birthday of its founder this month, with the fourth edition of its UK cocktail competition.

Scotch whisky has been granted geographical indication of origin (GI) in Panama.

Seven of London’s top bartenders did battle at the inaugural Tabasco British Bloody Mary Challenge in Selfridges’ Hix Restaurant & Champagne Bar.

UK: Hennessy will mark 54 years of continuous partnership - British racing’s longest commercial sponsorship - at this year’s Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury Racecourse on November 27.

Wine producer François Lurton has said he expects China to become the largest wine producing country in the world.

UK beer brewer Adnams has opened a small-scale distillery, producing vodka, gin and whisky.

Whisky liqueur brand Drambuie has created a cocktail to celebrate the announcement of Prince William’s engagement to Kate Middleton.

The European Spirits Organisation (CEPS) has launched a new five-year commitment to promote responsible drinking.

Spanish wine group Baron de Ley-El Coto has announced the purchase of winery Carbonera-Bergasa as part of a €5m investment in Rioja white wines.

The economic contribution of Europe's spirits industry to the European economy has been revealed in a new report. The report was prepared by Ernst & Young and commissioned by CEPS – the trade body for the European spirits industry.

Paul Henry, outgoing general manager, market development for the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation (AWBC), has accused retailers of being only interested in “volume and price” and described retailer consolidation and price compression as direct threats to proprietary brands.