just the Round-up - The week in drinks

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

• FRANCE: Danone stems bottled water sale talk

Danone's CEO has reportedly said that the French group is not seeking to sell its bottled water business, but it is negotiating a new distribution set-up in Japan.

• US: Rockstar Energy Drink for sale?

The producer of the third best-selling energy drink in the US, Rockstar Energy Drink, is looking to raise finance and may attempt to sell its business, according to a report.

• UK: Innocent Drinks calls VAT on smoothies "absurd"

The co-founder of the UK's leading smoothie-maker, Innocent Drinks, has said it is "absurd" that smoothies should be subject to value added tax at the full rate.

• PANAMA: Scotch whisky gets trademark protection

Scotch whisky distillers have a second trademark success to cheer in as many months after gaining protected name status for their products in Panama.

• US: Southern Wine & Spirits makes management appointments

Southern Wine & Spirits of New York, a division of Southern Wine & Spirits of America, has made a number of appointments to its senior management team.

• USVI: Diageo opens Captain Morgan facility

Diageo has officially opened its controversial Captain Morgan rum distillery in the US Virgin Islands.

• ARGENTINA: SABMiller buys Casa Isenbeck brewer

SABMiller has bought Argentina's third largest brewer, Casa Isenbeck, from Germany's Warsteiner for an undisclosed fee.

• AUS: Foster's Group challenges tax demands

Foster's Group has said it intends to contest income tax assessments it has received from the Australian Commissioner of Taxation.

• SOUTH AFRICA: Pioneer Foods bid for KWV could come in days

A takeover bid from South African food and drink group Pioneer Foods for wine and spirits maker KWV Holdings could happen as early as Friday (26 November), just-drinks understands.

• UK: Blavod Wines & Spirits chief remains pragmatic despite H1 losses

The head of Blavod Wines & Spirits has played down losses in the company's half-year performance but warned that he remains cautious for the rest of the year.