On just-drinks last week:

Bacardi's HR department was kept on its toes as the company's CFO lined up his retirement on Monday, then its head of operations in Russia became senior global category director of rums on Thursday, before its current CMO was revealed to be leaving “to pursue other interests” later that day.

The head of UB Group returned to the headlines on Monday, when he told reporters that he is "under no compulsion whatsoever" to sell a stake in United Spirits to Diageo. Mallya's comments got me thinking – Is now the time for such pronouncements?

A report suggested that the global wine harvest this year is set to be the lowest in a generation. Regular commentator Chris Losh posited that the news could lead to a moment of truth for the wine world.

AG Barr and Britvic were granted a second deadline extension on their merger discussions. While a deal remains in the balance, one analyst warned that Britvic may be the keener party to secure a tie-up.

Anheuser-Busch InBev posted flat volumes but rising profits in its year-to-date. The success of price rises to offset volumes does not bode well for margins going forward, according to an analyst.

This week, I'm in Miami to cover Diageo's annual investor conference that this year focusses on its hopes for Latin America and the Caribbean. The conference, which takes place tomorrow, is preceded today by presentations to media by – and a round-table session with – the head of the company's operations in the region, Randy Millian. While we're under embargo here until late Tuesday, if you have any questions about Diageo in LatAm and the Caribbean, drop me an email at news@just-drinks.com.

Until next time...

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