Takeover talk has rebounded in recent weeks and Diageo is dominating a lot of the chatter. Unless you've been sheltering underground with no phone reception, you'll know that word is afoot about a possible break-up of Fortune Brands. If this happens, it could spark a fresh round of spirits industry consolidation and Diageo would likely be a favourite to acquire Jim Beam Bourbon.

Fortune was not the only merger and acquisition news of last week. We also discovered that Remy Cointreau has put its Champagne business on the block, while Diageo (yes, again) has started talks with Zacapa Rum. In beer, SABMiller's CEO told us that the brewer is on the lookout for deals. In soft drinks, meanwhile, the US media is awash with reports that PepsiCo might take control of Rockstar Energy.

It's early days, but the pick-up in M&A speculation suggests that many sectors of the drinks industry are increasingly confident on the macroeconomic outlook. One deal that does not look likely, however, is the sale of Danone's bottled water division.

Also in the news last week, the International Organisation for Vine and Wine predicted that world wine production will fall to an eight-year low in 2010.

The fallout from the Four Loko saga dominated drinks news in the US after the Food & Drug Administration moved to ban pre-packaged, caffeinated alcoholic beverages.

In launches, Diageo announced the debut of yet another vodka, Moon Mountain, in time for the holiday season. Analysts say spirits sales are performing better in the US and promotion activity around this year's holiday season is expected to be lower on 2009.

On this positive note, we wish all our US readers an enjoyable Thanksgiving.

Until next time...

Olly Wehring
Managing Editor
Web: http://www.just-drinks.com
Email: editor@just-drinks.com
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