Pernod Ricard’s CEO Piere Pringuet has spoken out about Havana Club’s flat half-year sales growth, branding its performance “disappointing”.

Stock Spirits Group (SSG) has struck an agreement with The Pinnacle Drinks Partnership to distribute some of its key brands in the UK and Ireland.

Hi-Spirits has agreed a deal for the UK distribution rights of Broker’s London Dry Gin.

Treasury Wine Estates, the wine business born out of Southcorp and Foster’s, has reported half year profits of AUS$58.6 million before one-offs for the first half of the 2012 fiscal year.

Heineken has announced net profits of €1.5 billion before one-off items, an increase of 9.2%.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron has announced plans to cut alcohol abuse. A problem he calls "one of the scandals of our society".

March 2012 sees the launch of Whisky Week London. The week will commence on March 19 and finish with the Whisky Live show on Friday March 23 and Saturday March 24.

The European Forum for Responsible Drinking (EFRD) has launched a web-campaign to promote responsible marketing practices for alcoholic beverages. The objective is to explain in plain language how EU-wide codes of advertising should be applied.

UK: The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has called for the Treasury to spare businesses and consumers from another alcohol duty rise in this year's budget.

SAB Miller’s group chief brewer is to retire. Professor Barry Axcell will step down at the end of July 2012.

Multiple retailer Waitrose scooped five awards in the prestigious OLN Drinks Retailing Awards.

Diageo has delivered 3% volume growth and 7% organic net sales increase for the six months ended December 31, 2011.

Exports of Austrian wine by value have exceeded estimates as a result of higher prices and a decline in bulk wine.

The Scotch Whisky Association has launched a report, which outlines the number of jobs supported by the scotch whisky industry. 

Heineken USA has appointed Brian Fried as regional vice president sales, western region, effective immediately.

Global business consultancy McKinney Rogers has appointed a former Bacardi USA president to its board.

Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) and the US Drinks Conference (USDC) are to expand educational sessions during WSWA’s 69th Annual Convention & Exposition, April 2-5, 2012, in Las Vegas.

Beam Inc, the US-based global spirits company, has reported full-year net sales increases of 8%.

Annual sales of cognac are worth €2 billion thanks to a surge in XO and VSOP sales in the Far East, says the Cognac Bureau (BNIC).

The Vinho Verde Wine Commission (CVRVV) is to roll out its global campaign in the UK market.

The distilled spirits industry experienced growth in 2011 while taking more market share again from beer, reported Distilled Spirits Council (Discus) president and CEO Peter Cressy.

Pernod Ricard USA has appointed Southern Wine & Spirits of America as its spirits and wine distributor in the state of Washington, effective March 1, 2012.

Pernod Ricard USA has announced the appointment of Southern Wine & Spirits of America as its spirits and wine distributor in the state of Washington.

First Drinks will be the new UK distributor of CEDC brands Zubrówka Bison Grass Vodka and Green Mark - the world's fourth largest vodka.

Former Diageo northern Europe managing director Benet Slay has become to the chief executive of Carlsberg UK.

Entries are now being taken for the International Cider Challenge.

Beam, the US-based global premium spirits company, has announced that Arthur Aroney will join the organisation as managing director of Emerging Markets for its Asia Pacific/South America (APSA) region.

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust that operates in 56 countries, has announced the winners of its Educator of the Year awards.

The US arm of Japanese drinks company Suntory has joined US trade group the Distilled Spirits Council (DISCUS).

Central European Distribution Corporation (CEDC) has signed a five-year exclusive agreement to distribute Beam brands in Poland.

Adéle Robberstad the CEO of the Xanté Company which has been sold to Altia has reiterated the Tilander’s family commitment to the brand in the US and Canada.

Online retailer and spirits bottler Master of Malt claims to have launched the world’s hottest chilli vodka.

Andrew Carter has been appointed managing director of Treasury Wine Estates’  Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA), and Global Travel Retail divisions.

Pernod Ricard UK has announced the following senior appointments within its executive committee and senior management group with immediate effect.

Wine Intelligence, the leading UK research-led strategy consultancy, is merging with Wine-Networks, the German-based wine industry consultancy business owned by Wilhelm Lerner. It is effective immediately.

French wine is the favourite of regular wine drinkers in the UK and China and the second preference in Germany, says Wine Intelligence.

The UK government has outlined plans to curb antisocial behaviour associated with late night drinking.

The Wine Society, the UK’s leading members’ club for wine lovers, has appointed Robin McMillan as the society’s new chief executive.

SAB Miller is to launch a trial of its Miller Genuine Draft brand in the Zhejjang region of China.

Jägermeister parent company Mast-Jägermeister has appointed Denis Schrey to its management team.

Carlsberg UK has announced a £20 millon plan to expand its brewing operations.

Diageo has announced a €153 million investment into a ‘brewing centre of excellence’ in Dublin.

Vinexpo Asia-Pacific 2012 is larger, filling all five halls of the Hong Kong exhibition centre, and is full.

A man has been found dead at the Glenfiddich distillery in Scotland. According to several newspapers,  Brian Ettles died in a 16ft washback.

International wine and spirits exhibition Vinexpo head has announced further details about the new business-to-consumer wine tasting event. 

The European Union has ratified the use of the rosé wine labelling term, White Zinfandel, following lobbying by the WSTA and Diageo.

Diageo has completed the acquisition of the Meta Abo Brewery in Ethiopia for US$225 million.

There is unlikely to be any ice wine from Germany this year because of the mild winter north west Europe is experiencing.

US consumption of imported sparkling wine will reach new heights in 2012 due to the increased penetration of prosecco and cava, says Wine Intelligence. 

Alcohol guidelines should be reviewed, according to a new report that raises concerns about the government's advice on sensible drinking.

LVMH has appointed new chief executive officers for its champagne brands Moet & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin.

The 2012 Pre-mixed Drinks Challenge was Drinks International’s fourth examination of the category and our most wide-ranging yet.

Budvar has reported record export results for 2011.

Napa Valley Vintners (NVV), a non-profit trade association, has announced its new board of directors for 2012.

UK: Grupo Codorníu has made four appointments. Carolyn d’Aguilar and Susannah Bearne move internally to roles in the marketing department while Jake Crimmin and Tom Barton join the UK sales team.

UK: Accolade Wines has launched a website specifically for the trade. WinningwithWine.com aims to help wine merchants increase wine sales.

Fine wine prices fell 15% in 2011, fine wine index Liv-ex has reported.

The European Union and the US Distilled Spirits Council (DISCUS) have welcomed a decision that finds the Philippines to be in breach of trade rules when it comes to tax on imported spirits.

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) reports that a court in India has granted a temporary injunction against two Indian drinks companies claimed to be passing off local whisky as scotch whisky.

Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has been welcomed by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).

Beam Inc has announced an agreement to purchase Irish whiskey producer Cooley Distillery.

Russian Standard Corporation (RSC) has acquired a 70% stake in Italian wine company Gancia. 

Direct Wines, the world's largest independent wine merchant with a turnover of £350 million, has announced major changes to its buying and merchandising teams.

Heineken has declared an intention to increase its share in a brewery in Haiti to 95%.

Russian Standard Corporation has proposed the additional acquisition of nearly 20% of Central European Distribution Corporation’s (CEDC) shares as part of a "strategic alliance". 

The European Wine Blogger Conference (EWBC) 2012 is to be hosted by Wines of Turkey. It will be held in Izmir between November 9-11.

Volume wine sales in the UK are continuing to fall and the pace of decline has increased over the last 12 weeks, according to the latest market report from the Wine and Spirits Trade Association (WSTA).

US consumer goods company Rok Stars has stuck a deal with Castle Trade Services to launch its recently acquired Oval vodka in the UK.

Brown-Forman has reported double-digit half-year net sales growth after a strong performance from its Jack Daniel's brand. 

Vodka company Russian Standard has purchased a 9.9% share in CEDC (Central European Distribution Corporation) for $25.35 million.

UK: The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has deveolped an iPhone app for trade tastings and events. 

UK: Diageo is to partner Transport for London to support free travel on New Year’s Eve for the next three years.

Global retailer Tesco has today announced the introduction of its first light-weight champagne bottles as part of a two-year glass reduction pledge.

Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard has confirmed it will spend €100m on the 2012 expansion of its Midleton Single Distillery, the site where Jameson is produced.

UK drinks specialist Vanquish Wine has reached agreement to distribute Casa Dragones tequila to the UK following the brand’s debuts in the US and Mexico.

Heineken has acquired a pub estate in the UK for £412 million (€480 million). 

Scotch whisky exports hit a record high as the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) announced Ian Curle, chief executive of The Edrington Group, as its new chairman.

Californian wine company Yao Family Wines, created by the ex-NBA star Yao Ming, has signed-up Pernod Ricard China to exclusively import and distribute its wines to mainland China.

Rémy Cointreau has attributed its positive half-year profits to “remarkable” growth in Asia and “strong” performances in the US and Europe.

Diageo has opened a £10 million cooperage in Scotland.

Diageo subsidiary East African Breweries Limited (EABL) has opened a $55 million brewery in Moshi, Tanzania. 

Treasury Wine Estates has today launched a fine-wine business unit for the UK and Ireland, aimed at boosting sales of its regional and premium wines.

London Pride brewer Fuller’s has announced half-year growth of 6% after registering a turnover of £128m.

Boisset, La Famille des Grands Vins has purchased the Skalli winery and brands in the Languedoc and Rhône Valley. The financial details were not disclosed. 

Accolade Wines has set its stall out, 10 months after Constellation Brands sold off its international wine division to an Australian private equity group.

Hardys and Banrock Station brand owner Accolade Wines is to receive a £150 million financing facility from GE Capital.

Gavin Hewitt, chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, has been elected president of the European Spirits Organisation, CEPS, with immediate effect.

US: Heineken USA has announced that T. Daniel Tearno will step down from his day-to-day position of senior vice president and chief corporate relations officer, effective December 31 of this year.

Bonhams, the London-based auctioneers, has a wine cellar put together over 10 years by an American businessman working in London, in its Fine & Rare Wines sale on Thursday December 1.

The producer of Antica Sambuca has signed a new distribution deal with Kobrand in the US.

US: Mexico-based La Madrileña is to distribute Beam’s entire portfolio in Mexico. As part of the performance-based agreement, effective on January 1, 2012, La Madrileña will be the exclusive distributor of Beam’s brands, including Jim Beam bourbon, Sauza tequila, Courvoisier cognac and Cruzan rum.

The Scotch Whisky Association is urging India to cut its 150% tariff on imported spirits.

ProWein organisers Messe Düsseldorf, has announced that next year’s show will be bigger with the opening of an additional hall.

International Wine & Spirit Research (IWSR) says that Asia-Pacific will be the fastest-growing region for the alcoholic beverage markets over the next five years.

Veronafiere, organisers of the Vinitaly exhibition, claims China has fallen in love with its Italian wines which were in show at the recent Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair (HKIWSF).

UK-based body, the Wine and Spirits Trade Association has launched a guide to help fine-wine investors avoid becoming victims of fraud.

The Absolut Company has appointed Jonas Tåhlin to the role of vice president global marketing. 

Acceptance of screw-cap closures on wine bottles sold in the UK has risen to 85% of the regular wine-drinking population, according to a report on wine stoppers from Wine Intelligence.

New US consumer goods company Rok Stars, headed by Patron Spirits co-founder John Paul DeJoria, has acquired Austrian vodka brand Oval.

The international wine industry has reached agreement on a system for calculating carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions.

The Absolut Company has entered into agreement with JF Hillebrand subsidiary, Lagena Distribution, for the management of the company's logistics and distribution.

Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) chief executive Jeremy Beadles is to leave his post to join Heineken UK.

International wine producer Sogrape has acquired 100% of UK wine agency Stevens Garnier. The company previously owned 38% of Stevens Garnier and financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

A minimum unit price for alcohol set out in today’s (November 1) Scottish government Bill is unlikely to reduce alcohol misuse, will threaten the £3.4 billion whisky industry and will punish moderate drinkers, according to the trade. 

Low and no-alcohol wine sales are growing rapidly from a small base and getting close to 1 million cases in the UK, according to the latest figures from Nielsen.

Central European spirits and liqueurs company Stock Spirits Group is gearing up to acquire new business.

Glasgow-based bottler and blender Douglas Laing & Co has attributed its 11% growth to the strong performance of Asian markets.

Carlsberg UK chief executive Isaac Sheps is leaving to take over leadership of the brewer’s Russian business, Baltika, and its eastern European operations.

US: The Distilled Spirits Council (DISCUS) has attacked Cook County’s proposal to raise spirits taxes calling the 25% hike a “major job-killing burden” on Chicago’s hospitality industry.

The Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB) has teamed up with comedian Dom Joly to produce a series of videos.

The September edition of Drinks International is now online and can be downloaded as a digital magazine by clicking here.

Beam Inc has announced a new commercial structure in its Europe/Middle East/Africa (EMEA) region.

The board of Alcohol Concern, the anti-alcohol lobby group in the UK, has announced a restructuring of its senior management following the loss of core funding with the role of the CEO becoming part time for a year alongside the recruitment of a full time director of fundraising and campaigning.

Heineken has extended its sponsorship of the Rugby World Cup to remain its official beer supplier and worldwide partner for the 2015 tournament in England.

UK Rumfest has announced the winners of the Golden Rum Barrel Awards 2011, with Foursquare Distillery of Barbados taking home two of the top prizes.

Diageo has announced renewed agreements with US distributor Southern Wine & Spirits of America.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Assoication (WSTA) has announced that Nick Hyde, managing director of Diageo Wines Europe, is its new chairman.

The CEO of Magners cider manufacturer C&C Group is to step down at the end of the year.

Pernod Ricard has announced net sales (excluding tax and duties) of €1.987 million for the first quarter of 2011/12 (July 1 – September 30, 2011).

SABMiller, has formed a strategic alliance for Turkey, Russia, the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States, former Soviet republics), central Asia and the Middle East with the Turkish brewer, Anadolu Efes.

Heineken USA has appointed Olga Osminkina to the position of senior brand director, Heineken lager. 

Patrón Spirits International has teamed up with Mumbai-based agent Aspri Spirits to distribute its portfolio of tequila, vodka and rum in India.

Cert Octavian Plc, the UK’s leading logistics and specialist wine cellarage business, has announced that Vincent O’Brien is managing director with immediate effect.

Drinksint.com is now home to the World’s Most Admired Wine Brands magazine supplement, a comprehensive industry poll of the world's best regarded wine. 

UK-based Heritage Wine has announced a distribution agreement with Australian wine producer Nugan Estate in the UK market.

French distributor DIVA (Distribution Internationale de Vins et Alcools) has created DIVA South Africa to market some of the country’s ‘premium’ wines to an international audience.

Sobieski vodka owner Belvedere has appointed Krzysztof Trylinski as chairman and chief executive officer of the group. He aims to clear the company's debt by selling two of its brands.

The winners of the International Spirits Challenge trophies have been announced.

Russian Standard vodka owner Roust and Rémy Cointreau have announced the expansion of their partnership in Russia which will include the distribution of additional Rémy Cointreau brands.

Constellation Brands has purchased the remaining 50.1% of Italian wine brand Ruffino from MPF International. 

Pernod Ricard has announced a number of staff changes.

US Spirits company Fortune Brands today begun trading as Beam on the New York stock exchange, following the separation of its businesses.

UK brewer Wells and Young’s has purchased two Scottish beer brands -  McEwan’s and Younger’s - from Heineken UK.

Whyte & Mackay Americas is to operate as an import company in the US from January 1, 2012. 

Buffalo Trace bourbon owner the Sazerac Company has agreed to purchase 17 brands from Pernod Ricard‘s Corby Distillers. 

Owsley Brown II, former chairman and CEO of Brown-Forman has died after a brief illness. He was 69 years old.

Angostura Holdings has announced the departure of managing director and CEO Wayne Yip Choy, effective September 21, 2011.

SPI Group has agreed a new distribution deal with Velier, for the entire Stolichnaya portfolio in Italy.

Whyte & Mackay has announced a partnership with Russian Standard vodka owner Roust. The deal is for the distribution and promotion of the Glasgow-based company’s spirits portfolio in Russia.

Heineken USA has appointed two new senior leaders. 

Denis O’Flynn, currently managing director – Ireland for Irish Distillers, is the new managing director of Pernod Ricard UK from October 17.

Packaging company Rexam is to build a new beverage can plant in Finland.

Stella Artois is gearing up for its World Draught Masters final in Buenos Aires, having anointed a champion from its UK heat.

The Distilled Spirits Council of the US (DISCUS) and the European Forum for Responsible Drinking have issued guidelines for responsible alcohol advertising and marketing.

The board of Foster’s Group has recommended to its shareholders that an improved takeover offer by SABMiller is accepted.

The Belvédère Group and wine company Moncigale are under the care of the court after a judgement was made on September 20 by the Tribunal de Commerce de Nimes.

Burn Stewart Distillers, producer of brands Bunnahabhain and Scottish Leader, has announced net profits of £3.7 for the financial year ending December 31 2010.

UK: Russian Standard vodka is to sign a distribution partnership with Whyte & Mackay to manage its vodka brand in the UK, effective January 1 2012.

Diageo has announced plans to step-up its multi-million dollar strategic partnership with social media website Facebook.

Drambuie has reported operating profits of £2.81m – up 2% on last year.

UK: Somerset Cider Brandy has been granted geographical protection.

Diageo has announced the launch of Catalyst, a stand-alone group that will focus exclusively on what it describes as high potential brands.

The UK government has urged the drinks industry to back its Responsibility Deal aimed at countering binge drinking and alcoholism.

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has announced that the value of scotch exports for the first half of 2011 is up 22%

Growers, cooperatives and houses in Champagne have offered ambivalent first appraisals of the 2011 vintage, following what has been described as the appellation’s “earliest ever harvest”.

The Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB) or Bordeaux Wine Council, which represents Bordeaux vine growers and négociants, has announced the appointment of François Jumeau as its new marketing director.

Drinks International is delighted to announce that premier Italian Prosecco producer Follador is to sponsor this year's Travel Retail Awards.

The Institute of Masters of Wine has announced 11 new masters of wine.

The importance of the so-called emerging markets such as those in China, India, was underlined by the Pernod Ricard management  team in individual briefings in London today (Tuesday September 6), following the announcement of the group’s annual results last week.

New Orleans-headquartered Sazerac Company has agreed the purchase of 32 of White Rock Distilleries’ brands for an undiscolsed fee, effective October 2011.

Pernod Ricard has posted annual organic sales growth of 7% to achieve a turnover of €7.6b.

New Zealand-based wine companies Yealands Estate and Ager Sectus Wine Estates have announced a merger of operations.

Beam Global has appointed Debora Boyda to the role of general manager of the Mixables Category Business Team (CBT). 

Diageo has cited ‘emerging markets’ as a reason for its positive results – including 16% growth in scotch whisky in emerging markets. 

The Glenmorangie Company has promoted chief operating officer Paul Skipworth to the post of president and managing director.

Diageo has announced that it has completed the acquisition of Turkish spirits firm Mey Içki, after receiving regulatory clearances.

Vietnam: Global drinks giant Diageo has closed a Public Offer to acquire an additional 5.07% stake in Hanoi Liquor Joint Stock Company (“Halico”) for approximately £6.4 million. 

Two German wine cooperatives, Deutsches Weintor and Niederkirchener Weinmacher, are preparing to merge next month (September).

South Africa: A report by human rights group Human Rights Watch has lambasted the treatment of workers in the wine and fruit industries.

Asahi Group has reached an agreement to acquire Australsian-based drinks operator, Flavoured Beverages Group.

The board of Foster’s Group has rebuffed SABMiller's proposed takeover bid. 

Beam Global Spirits & Wine has appointed Christopher G. Bauder to the role of bourbon category business team (CBT) general manager.

SABMiller has proposed to make a conditional, off-market, cash takeover offer for all of the issued shares in Foster’s Group. 

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has ruled that discriminatory excise tax on spirits in the Philippines is a violation of WTO rules.

US/Australia: San Francisco-based The Wine Group (TWG) has entered an agreement to acquire a 100,000-ton Loxton winery from Australian Vintage.

Africa: Heineken has purchased two breweries in Ethiopia for a total of US$163 million. 

The entire remaining inventory of Mercian’s Karuizawa Distillery has been acquired on behalf of Japanese whisky distributor Number One Drinks.

William Grant & Sons and JF Hillebrand have signed a three-year global logistics contract.

Mexico´s Tequila Regulatory Council (TRC) is working to step up operatives to curb a rising trade of fake and "toxic" blends after consumer watchdog Profeco this week announced 40% of the country’s alcohol is sold in an "adulterated" state.

G&J Greenall, one of the UK’s major distillers has been sold to a management buy out, according to unconfirmed reports.

UK spirits and liqueur agency, Mangrove, has announced plans for expansion into the Middle East and south Asia.

Gruppo Campari has announced the acquisition of Brazilian cachaça brand Sagatiba and half-year sales growth of 14.2%.

Japanese brewer Kirin has bought the outstanding shares in Aleadri-Schinni Participações e Representações S.A. (“Aleadri”), a company that holds 50.45% of the outstanding shares of Schincariol Participações e Representações SA (Brazil; CEO: Adriano Schincariol: “Schincariol”).

The number of school children in England that drink alcohol has dropped, according to the NHS.

US: The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has found Diageo to have made “hundreds of illicit payments” to foreign government officials in India, Thailand and South Korea.

The emerging South Korean market could boost the fortunes of wine importers, according to research by Wine Intelligence.

Fortune Brands has announced the boards of directors for Beam and Fortune Brands Home & Security, the standalone public companies to result from the planned separation of its businesses.

Edwin H Nielsen (pictured), the great-grandson of Bacardi founder Don Facundo Bacardí Massó has died in Spain at the age of 93.

UK: HRH The Duchess of Cornwall has become the new president of the United Kingdom Vineyards Association (UKVA).

Africa: Diageo’s Guinness Nigeria has committed £225million (NGN 55 billion) to expand its brewing operations. The company has said this will create 200 permanent jobs for Nigerians.

Premiumisation is driving UK spirits volume and value growth in the on and off-trade, according to findings by First Drinks.

South Africa: The KWV board has announced that CEO Thys Loubser (pictured) has resigned as company CEO with immediate effect.

Foster's Group has announced the appointment of Andy Gibson to the role of chief marketing officer. Andy is expected to start in the role on November 1.

Bacardi Limited has appointed Robert Furniss-Roe (pictured) as president of Bacardi North America. Furniss-Roe will be responsible for leading all operations in the region.

Diageo has appointed a head of its Western Europe division. From September 1, John Kennedy is to become chief operating officer, Diageo Western Europe. Kennedy is currently managing director, Diageo Ireland.

Irish Distillers CEO Alexandre Ricard (pictured) is to leave his post to join Pernod’s group general management team in Paris.

Tesco, the UK-based international multiple retailer, is gearing up to improve its wine offering to all its stores around the world.

The Vinho Verde Wine Commission (CVRVV), in Portugal, has invested €5m on a three-year global promotion.

One in three of Vinexpo’s non-French visitors were Asian, with Chinese trade personnel dominating the attendance figures at the 2011 show.

Moet Hennessy USA has enlisted Southern Wine & Spirits of America as its distributor in the 18 control states.

Korea’s 20% import tariff on spirits come down today (July 1) as a result of a free trade agreement (FTA) between the European Union and South Korea.

Pernod Ricard has announced the disposal, by its affiliate Pernod Ricard Europe, of its shares in Georgian Wine and Spirits LLC to JSC Marussia (Georgia).

E & J Gallo Winery has announced an agreement to purchase Edna Valley Vineyard from Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines Company and Paragon Vineyard Company, who held Edna Valley Vineyard as a joint venture.

Ian Macleod Distillers has purchased the Tamdhu distillery in Speyside, from the Edrington Group.

Chinese regulators have approved Diageo’s acquisition of an additional 4% stake in Sichuan Chengdu Quanxing Group (Quanxing) from Chengdu Yingsheng Investment Holding Co (Yingsheng).

Costellation Wines Australia and Europe has officially become Accolade Wines - as of June 27. Accolade brands include Hardy’s and Echo Falls.

Scotland: Diageo is to invest £20 million in its Speyside whisky facilities.

Drinks International’s Hamish Smith catches up with Vinexpo CEO Robert Beynat at 2011 show.

Foster's has rejected a takeover bid from SABMiller. Foster's Group said that it received an "unsolicited, incomplete, non-binding and conditional proposal" from SABMiller to acquire all of the shares in Foster's via a scheme of arrangement at a price of $4.90 per share in cash.

The CEO of the Fladgate Partnership has called for the quality standard of rosé port to be raised.

European Union plans to liberalise grape planting regulations were criticised strongly by M. Bruno Le Maire, French minister for agriculture at the official opening of Vinexpo today.

Bibendum has appointed Tradeteam on a three-year contract to fulfil its warehousing and distribution services.

Budweiser has signed a three-year agreement with The Football Association to become the ‘lead partner’ of The FA Cup.

UK wine agency Stevens Garnier has appointed Anthony Habert as national accounts director.

US: Drinks Americas Holdings (DAH) has entered into a "letter of intent" with Worldwide Beverage Imports (WBI). The deal could see WBI acquiring up to a 49% stake in DAH.

Australian winery Brown Brothers has appointed Rachel Herrig as brand manager to “drive the brand’s development in the UK and Ireland”.

A 170-year old bottle of champagne salvaged from a shipwreck in the Baltic Sea has fetched €30,000 at auction.

Morrison Bowmore Distillers has made five new appointments within its sales and marketing team.

Champagne Jacquart has announced the appointment of Floriane Eznack as winemaker.

The Glenglassaugh Distillery Company has appointed Mhairi McDonald and Graeme Morrison, to together fill the out-going role of distillery manager.

Diageo subsidiary East African Breweries (EAB) has purchased all of SAB Miller’s 20% shareholding in Kenya Breweries (KB). The transaction is worth US$225 million. The deal is subject to EAB disposing of its 20% shareholding in Tanzania Breweries – by way of public offer through the Dar-es-Salaam Stock Exchange.

Portugal: The Blandy Group has regained control of the Madeira Wine Company (MWC) from Symington Family Estates. Symington will still retain a minority share in the business, but intends to concentrate on its Cockburn port brand, which it purchased last year.

The Distilled Spirits Council in the US (DISCUS) has increased the demographic placement standard in its Code of Responsible Advertising Practices. The change reflects the 2010 Census data, which shows that 71.6% of the US population is 21 years of age and older. The previous demographic was 70%.

Exports are the obvious way out of the recession for UK businesses, according to drinks entrepreneur William Chase.  Two years after distilling its first vodka, the Herefordshire-based Chase Distillery is making half of its turnover in export markets. Chase said plans to increase this to 80 % in 2012.