just The Round-Up - The week in drinks

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

• RUSSIA: Remy Cointreau readies Mount Gay for Russia via Roust Inc

Rémy Cointreau is preparing to launch its Mount Gay rum, St Remy a la Crème and Passoa liqueurs and Charles Heidsieck Champagne brands in Russia, as it extends its partnership with Roust Inc in the country.

• IRELAND: Independent Franchise Partners ups C&C Group stake

Hedge fund Independent Franchise Partners has built up a 6% stake in C&C Group.

• FRANCE: Belvedere CEO stands down as group mulls brand sales

Jacques Rouvroy has called time on his leadership of Belvedere, with MD Krzysztof Trylinski set to replace him.

• MEXICO: Coca-Cola FEMSA completes Grupo Tampico merger

Coca-Cola FEMSA has announced the completion of its merger with the bottling division of privately-held Mexican conglomerate Grupo Tampico.

• JAPAN: Kirin Holdings sees Schincariol injunction overturned

Kirin Holdings has succeeded in overturning an injunction blocking its acquisition of a controlling stake in Schincariol.

• CHILE: Fetzer lifts Concha y Toro sales in Q3

Concha y Toro's newly-acquired Fezter Vineyards has propped up the Chilean winemaker's sales in its third fiscal quarter, as the peso currency continues to pressure exports.

• EU: European Union looks to simplify wine subsidy claims

Proposals to make the payment of European Union (EU) subsidies to wine growers easier have been released by the European Commission today (12 October), as part of a major tabling of reforms to the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

• UK: Diageo gives pre-mix stable push in UK

The UK arm of Diageo has launched a consumer campaign for its pre-mix range in the country.

• CHINA: Chinese Cognac market leaps ahead of US in 2010 – research

The Cognac market in China may be almost half the size of the US market in volume terms but, in value terms, has grown to be worth 70% more than the US, according to recent research.

• US/S KOREA: Wine, spirits makers hail free trade deal

Wine and spirits in the US are set to reap rewards from Congressional approval for a free trade deal with South Korea, according to trade bodies the Wine Institute and US Distilled Spirits Council.