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just-drinks.com editor's weekly highlights | |
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Just in case you’ve not got round to booking a round-the-world business trip, taking in the best wine producing regions of France, Italy, Spain, Australia, Germany, the US, South Africa, Portugal, Chile, Argentina, New Zealand and roughly 25 other producing countries…. We’ll bring them to you, in London, and for three days.
The end of Scottish & Newcastle looks more like it’s the beginning of something yet more colourful. In London one evening last week, the top brass at the now-defunct brewer gathered the city's analysts and media together to say thank-you and goodbye. Considering S&N’s traditionally rather staid summer drinks soirees, this one was a tad more lively, I can tell you. However, what happens at press events stays at press events, I’m afraid – my lips are sealed. Of course, the collective hair letting-down was well-deserved, for all present: The battle between S&N and the Carlsberg/Heineken consortium was protracted, tense and complex. And it could still have been even more so, with rumours - after a deal had been struck - linking the likes of SABMiller and Anheuser-Busch to counter-bids for S&N. If what just-drinks has heard is true, by the way, SABMiller came a lot closer to entering the fray than we all believed. But, spilt milk… The future, then, reads like a soap opera for both Carlsberg and Heineken. The best storyline, I feel, is the Indian one, with Heineken reportedly locking horns with Vijay Mallya over its inheritance of S&N’s stake in Mallya’s UB Group. We’re getting conflicting messages on this one, though. The UB Group has suggested, via the Indian press, that Heineken cannot simply step into S&N’s shoes, and carry on regardless, especially with a potential conflict of interest through Heineken’s Asia Pacific Breweries operations in the country. I’ve been told however, that UB Group’s braying could amount to nothing, and that Heineken could quite easily do what it jolly well pleases with the former S&N stake. Either way, the delicate juggling act on Heineken’s hands in India is just the start of a new chapter of fun in the global brewing sector. Where’s the popcorn? Meanwhile, the sun has finally arrived in London, ahead of the London International Wine Fair & Distil later this month. As usual, just-drinks will be there in force, so if you’d like me to stop by and say hello, drop me a line at editor@just-drinks.com, and I’ll clear my diary for you. Until then, I’m escaping all this sun… with a few days in Brazil with InBev next week. Anyone want a postcard? Until next time... Olly Wehring, Managing Editor Web: www.just-drinks.com
Introducing Distil:
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Focus - New FSA move on colourings leaves industry puzzled [MEM] The call by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) for the voluntary withdrawal of certain colourings, and its recommendation that British ministers push for a total ban in the EU, surprised observers from the industry and the campaigning community. The debate over the link between food colourings and hyperactivity now switches to the European arena. Ben Cooper reports.
Middle East drinks sector review The drinks market in the Middle East continues to increase on the back of population growth, economic development, improvements in distribution and retail, and more aggressive advertising campaigns. But like much of the rest of the world, younger and better educated market segments within the region are shifting away from carbonated soft drinks (CSD) towards fruit juices and bottled water as people become increasingly health-conscious, according to independent industry analysts and the drinks sector. This month's briefing takes a look at the Middle Eastern beverage market, with chapters focusing on United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Israel.
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May 6, 2008 
