just the Round-Up - The week in drinks

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

• UK: Diageo hits “pivotal moment”, prepares US$1.5bn Scotch investment

Diageo has announced plans to invest heavily in its Scotch whisky operations and has lined up the construction of another distillery in Scotland.

• CHINA: Tsingtao Brewery agrees joint ventures with Suntory Holdings

Tsingtao Brewery is linking up with Japanese brewer and distiller Suntory Holdings to boost its “competitiveness” in the beer markets of Shanghai and neighbouring Jiangsu province.

• US: Ascentia Wine Estates completes exit, sells brands to E&J Gallo

Ascentia Wine Estates is understood to have completed its exit from the industry after selling its Columbia Winery and Covey Run brands to E&J Gallo Winery for an undisclosed sum.

• INDIA/JAPAN: Suntory targets India with Narang JV move

Suntory Holdings subsidiary Suntory Beverage & Food Asia is planning to produce beverages in India, a spokesperson has told just-drinks.

• just On Call: Brown-Forman eyes opportunities for Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey

Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey still has a “long way to go” in the US, with brand recognition currently only a third of its parent brand and opportunities to expand into the on-trade and more international markets, according to owner Brown-Forman.

• AUS: Coca-Cola Amatil to buy Foster's soft drinks brands

Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) is to buy the Foster's Group's non-alcohol brands as part of its rights acquired from the fallout of SABMiller's takeover of Foster's last year.

• US: Vodka still cream of US crop - figures

New dessert flavours have boosted vodka's continung popularity in the US spirits market, while whiskey's resurgence continues unabated, according to an analyst's study of the country's fastest-growing spirits brands.

• GLOBAL: Coca-Cola Co unveils international marketing push for Coke Zero

The Coca-Cola Co has launched a global advertising campaign for its Coke Zero brand.

• US: Diageo gets Cabin Fever

Diageo has acquired the Cabin Fever maple-flavoured whisky brand from the Robillard family in the US.

• NETHERLANDS: Heineken buys cider producer Stassen

Heineken has further boosted its position in cider by acquiring Belgian producer Stassen from its management for an undisclosed sum.