Africa: Heineken acquires additional brewing capacity
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.
NZ: Winegrowers aim for organic
New Zealand: An organic wine group has set a goal for 20% of New Zealand vineyards to be organic by 2020.
Australia: Foster's donates $500,000 to flood victims
Foster’s Group has committed $500,000 to help Queensland flood victims.
Groupe Charlois acquires Winemakers Cooperage
French wine barrel manufacturer, Groupe Charlois, has expanded into the US with the purchase of Winemakers Cooperage (WC) from Treasury Wine Estates.
Budvar bucks Czech beer decline
Czech beer Budvar bucked a 12% decline in Czech beer exports in 2010 to record growth of 4%.
Cognac Summit targets taste
The fourth International Cognac Summit (ICS) will focus on the effect of cognac on the palate.
Foster’s pays tribute to England’s Ashes victory
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 takes to the sky
Courvoisier cognac is to be available on Virgin Atlantic flights.
Pre-mixed drinks results revealed
The Pre-Mixed Drinks Challenge Awards have been announced.
Saxco appoints quality assurance manager
Saxco, a US-based group of packaging companies affiliated to Saxco International, has appointed James Hartman as quality assurance manager.
Design firm Claessens/Cartils now Cartils
Dutch branding and packaging design consultancy Claessens/Cartils has changed its name to Cartils.
CUB extends Carlsberg accord
Carlton & United Breweries (CUB) and Carlsberg Group have extended their agreement for the distribution of Carlsberg brands in Australia.
Brand Phoenix to distribute Angove wines
Brand Phoenix has been appointed distributors for Angove Family Winemakers in the UK off-trade.
Scotch whisky gets protection in Vietnam
The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has gained a geographical indication of origin for scotch whisky in Vietnam.
Barwell & Jones to distribute Willow Bridge Estate
Coe Group-owned UK distributor Barwell & Jones has added Willow Bridge Estate to its portfolio of wines.
Bordeaux wine app to launch
Bordeaux Wine Council has announced the release of a mobile phone application called Smart Bordeaux.
Alcohol Concern calls for training against alcohol misuse
UK charities Alcohol Concern and the Children’s Society have called for “mandatory social work training” on the issues surrounding parental alcohol misuse.
ICB loses Vodkat name in court battle
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 hits 3 million cases
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.
Beefeater packs a punch in travel retail
Limited edition Beefeater Winter gin has made its European travel retail debut in the main World Duty Free store in London Heathrow Terminal 3.
Rye-malt spirit Krivach launches
Russian Distiller has launched Krivach, a malted rye distillate that is said to be the first of its type in Russia for 120 years.
Baron Otard launches its rarest cognac
Cognac brand Baron Otard has launched Fortis et Fidelis, describing it as its oldest and rarest expression.
Diageo aims to make Captain Morgan 'global mega brand'
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 to sponsor Lions rugby tour
First Cape Wines has announced it will sponsor the British and Irish Lions rugby tour of Australia in 2013.
Beam extends leadership roles
Beam Global Spirits & Wine has announced expanded leadership roles for executives Bill Newlands, Phil Baldock and Bob Probst.
Kofi Annan to speak at wine and climate change summit
Former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan will deliver the keynote address at the World Climate Change and Wine Congress 2011.
BBPA backs tax break for low-alcohol beer
The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has backed the UK Government’s planned reduction of duty on low-alcohol beer.
Brugal 1888 launches at Madrid airport
Brugal 1888 has been launched at Brugal Island, a rum tasting bar and store situated in Madrid airport.
Drinkaware calls for tougher measures on drinking
UK charity Drinkaware has said that tougher action is needed to counter UK binge drinking.
CEDC to purchase Kauffman vodka
Central European Distribution Corporation (CEDC) is to purchase the global rights for Kauffman vodka.
Cider in Russia
Russia could be the next growth market for cider, according to a new report.
Maker's Mark appoints COO
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 opens discussions to acquire half of Zacapa
Diageo has initiated discussions to take over 50% of Guatemalan rum brand Zacapa.
Stock Spirits appoints financial advisor, silent on IPO
Stock Spirits Group, the company behind five million case vodka brand Czysta de Luxe, has appointed Credit Suisse as its financial advisor.
Disaronno crowns Mixing Star champion
Amaretto brand Disaronno has hosted the final of its first Mixing Star cocktail competition in London.
Stock makes new appointments
Stock Spirits has made several new appointments to its senior management team.
BBRS adds Pink Pigeon rum to portfolio
Berry Bros & Rudd Spirits (BBRS) has added a rum brand to its spirits portfolio.
Chivas rolls out travel retail campaign
Chivas Brothers is taking its travel retail aged whisky campaign to the Americas.
Pinot Noir named best NZ wine
A Pinot Noir from the Central Otago region has been named Champion Wine at the Air New Zealand Wine Awards.
Jack Daniel’s holds fourth ‘birthday’ cocktail competition
Jack Daniel’s celebrated the 160th birthday of its founder this month, with the fourth edition of its UK cocktail competition.
Panama grants scotch whisky GI
Scotch whisky has been granted geographical indication of origin (GI) in Panama.
Bartenders draw swords in Blood Mary challenge
Seven of London’s top bartenders did battle at the inaugural Tabasco British Bloody Mary Challenge in Selfridges’ Hix Restaurant & Champagne Bar.
Hennessy goes for Gold
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.
Chinese wine: the next big thing
Wine producer François Lurton has said he expects China to become the largest wine producing country in the world.
Adnams opens spirits distillery
UK beer brewer Adnams has opened a small-scale distillery, producing vodka, gin and whisky.
Drambuie creates royal cocktail
Whisky liqueur brand Drambuie has created a cocktail to celebrate the announcement of Prince William’s engagement to Kate Middleton.
EU spirits producers back responsible drinking
The European Spirits Organisation (CEPS) has launched a new five-year commitment to promote responsible drinking.
Baron de Ley-El Coto buys Rioja winery
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.
Sales of European spirits reach £58 billion in 2009
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.
Australia head hits out
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.