just the Round-Up - The week in drinks

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

• UK: AG Barr upbeat over H1 results despite profits slip

AG Barr has increased sales by both value and volume in its first-half results, but saw rising costs bite into profits.

• GLOBAL: Champagne at 'crossroads' - research

The Champagne sector stands at a 'crossroads', with some producers backing newer markets to bring growth and others maintaining Champagne's traditional markets remain more critical for its future, a new report has suggested.

• UAE: The Coca-Cola Co completes US$980m Aujan deal

The Coca-Cola Co has completed its US$980m deal to buy half of the soft drinks business of Aujan Industries.

• INDIA: Diageo, UB Group confirm United Spirits stake talks

Diageo and the UB Group have confirmed that they are in talks over taking a stake in United Spirits.

• CZECH: Pernod Ricard circumvents spirits ban as partial lifting approaches

The Czech unit of Pernod Ricard remains closed as the prospect of a partial lift of the the ban on sales of spirits over 20% abv in the country looms.

• UK: Wells and Young's offloads Kestrel to outgoing MD

Wells and Young's has lined up the sale of its Kestrel beer brand to its MD, ahead of his departure from the UK brewer.

• S AFRICA: Foreign investment "a catalyst" for South Africa - Warwick MD

South Africa’s wine trade is attracting foreign investment at a significant rate and the trend shows little sign of declining, according to an industry expert.

• US: Premium growth to outstrip beer market - research

Premium beer production in the US is to increase at twice the rate of the overall industry over the next four years, according to a new just-drinks report.

• FRANCE: Wine grape growers pledge to continue fight against US 'château' plan

French wine grape growers have applauded a European Commission decision to postpone a ruling that will allow US wineries to use the label “château” or “clos” in the EU.

• SINGAPORE: Fraser & Neave greenlights Heineken Asia Pacific Breweries takeover

The shareholders of Fraser & Neave have voted in favour of Heineken's proposed takeover of their Asia Pacific Breweries joint venture.