Les Compagnons du Cognac, a social enterprise designed to support and protect small and independent producers of VSOP and XO cognac, is about to be launched.

The Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) has announced that the ‘Napa Valley’ name has been granted Geographic Indication Status (GI) in India.

Irish whiskey Jameson has launched a new expression in South Africa. Jameson Select Reserve is made from a blend of small batch grain whiskey, not found in any other Jameson expression, and single Irish pot still whiskey.

Following a strategic review of its global operations, Pernod Ricard has confirmed that its key international wine properties will be grouped and managed under one business – Premium Wine Brands.

Whisky brand Glenglassaugh has announced the release of a limited edition range of single malt scotches named ‘Manager’s Legacy’.

East African Breweries Limited (EABL), a subsidiary of Diageo, has completed the acquisition of 51% of the issued share capital of Serengeti Breweries Limited (SBL). EABL made the purchase from existing shareholders for a total consideration of approximately US$60.4million.

Diageo brand Smirnoff has announced ‘country pairings’ for its global nightlife exchange project.

Two Asian wine experts are to host an introduction to the Institute of Masters of Wine education programme at the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair in early November.

SABMiller has appointed Karl Lippert as its new president of Latin America, following the announcement of Barry Smith’s retirement.

Drinks International Travel Retail Awards trophy winners were announced during the Tax Free World Association exhibition in Cannes this week (October 19).

Wines Of South Africa’s (WOSA) first Sommelier World Cup has been won by an American.

The Absolut Company Global Travel Retail threw a swish party in Cannes last night (October 18) to unveil its latest limited edition Absolut vodka.

New York is tough for a small company trying to get its brand listed and stocked in the city, according to the chief executive of Xanté, the Swedish company with the eponymous cognac and pear liqueur brand.

SABMiller has recorded double-digit lager sales growth in its African and Asian markets

Brooklyn Brewery, New York’s craft beer company, has launched Brooklyn Lager and East India Pale Ale in India.

Altia has signed an agreement to acquire cognac brand Renault from Pernod Ricard for a cash consideration of €10m.

Pernod Ricard New Zealand has announced the disposal of its Lindauer wine brand. The company has also announced the sale of several other New Zealand wine brands from Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay together with their related inventories and assets.

G H Mumm has released its 2002 vintage champagne to the UK and Italy.

Treasury Wine Estates brand Coldstream Hills has completed a $5m upgrade of its winemaking facilities

The gang rehabilitation programme, created by Venezuelan rum brand Santa Teresa, is being rolled out to the most dangerous districts of Caracas.

Pernod Ricard has agreed a six-month sponsorship deal with UK TV channel Dave for its Australian wine brand Jacob’s Creek.

US: Diageo has launched a Swedish vodka in the US market.

Winemaker and Prosecco brand Follador is launching to the UK market with a portfolio of sparkling and still wines.

The inaugural London Cocktail Week (LCW) has begun - a seven-day event of shows, pop-up bars, parties, classes and tastings.

Glen Garioch, the 200-year old Aberdeenshire-based distillery, has re-launched its range of single malt whiskies.

Cognac brand Courvoisier has undertaken a global repackaging of its VS label, starting with the UK and US markets.

Sri Lankan spirit Ceylon Arrack has appointed Mangrove as its exclusive UK importer.

US: Bacardi Limited has completed the initial phase of a $250m investment into its scotch whisky brand Dewar’s.

Diageo chief executive Paul Walsh has been selected by the UK prime minister David Cameron to advise on business and economic issues.

Ballantine’s has unveiled its first seasonal limited edition whisky entitled Christmas Reserve.

The United Kingdom Vineyards Association (UKVA) has unveiled new wine schemes for English and Welsh still wines, in line with the wine regime changes implemented by the EU.  A new wine scheme for sparkling wines will be introduced later this year.

SKyy Spirits, Gruppo Campari’s US-based subsidiary, has unveiled a new global ad campaign entitled Skyy Sexy to market its unflavoured vodka brand Skyy Vodka.

Monarq Group is to distribute Tia Maria and Disaronno in the Caribbean domestic and duty free markets.

Brand marketer, The Paddington Corporation, has announced a joint venture with 3 Amigos Tequila to market its range globally.

Langton’s Classification, the quinquennial (occurring every five years) guide to Australia’s best performing and most prized wines, has been published.

Hine Vintage Cognacs has developed a new “high-end” VSOP which will be exclusive to travel retail. The new cognac will be revealed at TFWA Cannes from October 18 -22.

Havana Club International is to launch an ultra premium rum.

Spanish liqueur brand Licor 43 is targeting UK growth, after up-scaling its marketing operations with the appointment of a brand ambassador.

Global: Edrington Group has repackaged its Brugal rum, Añejo. The new design is said to reinforce the brand’s authenticity and reputation as the only rum distilled, matured and bottled in the Dominican Republic.

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) met with the UK Home Office to air concerns over government proposals to change the Licensing Act.

Global drinks giant Diageo has opened the doors of its new £40 million distillery in Speyside, Scotland.

The introduction of a minimum price for alcohol in Britain could see retailers and manufacturers reap £700m in extra revenue.

Champagne Jacquart is to appoint Enotria as its exclusive UK distribution agent from October.

Indian distiller Amrut has extended its range of whiskies with the addition of a three cask-matured single malt.

Italy/Australia: The Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Consorzio has welcomed a ban on Australian producers using the term prosecco, under new EU laws. The Consorzio has pledged to continue fighting to get the ban implemented in other countries that continue to make prosecco, like Brazil.

McWilliam’s winery has won Best White Wine at the invitation only Tri Nations Wine Challenge. The contest featured wines from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The winery won Best White Wine of Show Trophy and Best Other White trophy for its flagship 2005 McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon.

UK company First Drinks has appointed Una McCullough as marketing director.

Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard, producers of Jameson, is set to introduce Redbreast 15 Year Old Irish Pure Pot Still whiskey as a permanent expression within the range in key international markets including Ireland, USA, France and Germany.

Scotch whisky distillers have welcomed a vote by the Scottish Parliament Health & Sport Committee to remove minimum pricing from the Alcohol (Scotland) Bill.

The number of brands meeting the criteria of The IWSR’s Elite Brands has fallen from 22 in 2009 to just 10 in 2010. Ukrainian vodka Nemiroff has taken the top spot.