Throughout last year, we ran a four-part management briefing looking at environmental sustainability within the drinks industry. The briefings are available to just-drinks subscribers (if that isn't you, then click here to correct that), and look at the beer, soft drinks & water, spirits and wine sectors.

The feedback to these briefings has been so positive that we shall be running them again throughout 2013. Therefore, we invite you to submit your company's case for inclusion in this year's round of reports. So, if you're keen to be involved, drop me a line at news@just-drinks.com, and we'll put you in touch with the reports' author, Ben Cooper.

Meanwhile, last week:

• Bacardi made the first major M&A play of 2013, when it bought the St-Germain elderflower liqueur brand.
• The near-term future for Pernod Ricard was given a thumbs-up by a member of the analyst community
• Carlsberg was also bigged up for 2013.
• Aspartame became the subject of a full public consultation launched by the European Food Safety Authority, a move that could open the door further still for stevia, and
• Wine columnist Chris Losh gave us the first part of his near-legendary predictions for the next 12 months.

Finally, those of you working in Scotch whisky may want to check out Ian Buxton's comment piece from last week, in which he considers the latest political hot Scottish potato.

Your comments are always welcome.

Until next time...

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