just the Round-Up - The week in drinks

The top ten stories published on just-drinks this week:

• UK: Diageo extends Guinness rugby ties

Diageo has strengthened the presence of Guinness on the UK rugby union scene by signing sponsorship deals with the national rugby bodies for England, Wales and Scotland.

• FRANCE: Belvédère sells US assets for $48m

Belvédère has said that it will sell the industrial assets of Florida Distillers to an unidentified buyer for US$48m in order to meet debt repayments.

• GLOBAL: UK decline threatens global wine profits

Tough conditions on the UK wine market will cut profits across the global wine sector as emerging countries such as China remain too far behind to pick up the slack, a report by Rabobank has warned.

• INDIA: Radico Khaitan seeks international drinks partners

Radico Khaitan is in talks with international drinks companies with a view to importing and distributing new brands in the firm's native India.

• AUS: Molson Coors loses interest in Foster's Group beer?

Molson Coors' interest in acquiring the beer operations of Foster's Group appears to have weakened after the Canadian brewer said it would relinquish its stake in the Australian firm.

• BELGIUM: Anheuser-Busch InBev upbeat on Q3 profits

Anheuser-Busch InBev has said that it expects stronger profits momentum in the final months of 2010 after the brewer beat most analysts' expectations in its third quarter.

• GLOBAL: Diageo readies Bushmills packaging upgrade

Diageo has released updated packaging for its single malt variants in the Bushmills Irish whiskey stable.

• UK: Government moves to snuff out cheap cider

The UK Government is seeking to penalise the bottom end of the cider market by establishing a minimum juice level for products, in a move that has been welcomed by industry leaders.

• RUSSIA: Government eyes tougher beer sales rules

Brewers in Russia are seeking to derail a legislative proposal that seeks to further limit beer sales in the country.

• GLOBAL: Scotch whisky exports jump in H1 - figures

Scotch whisky exports rose by 17% in value in the first half of 2010, led by rebounding consumer demand in key markets.