just the Round-Up - The week in drinks

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

• S AFRICA: Wine exports hit high as harvest beats global slump

South Africa's wine exports hit record highs last year as poor harvests in rival nations boosted demand for the country's brands. 

• US: Coca-Cola Co tackles obesity issue with TV ad

The Coca-Cola Company has admitted it has an “important role” to play in the US' fight against obesity as it launched a new TV ad addressing the issue. 

• US: Diageo speaks out over Pharrell Williams Qream lawsuit

Diageo has claimed that a US$5m lawsuit launched against it by hip-hop artist Pharrell Williams “lacks merit”.

• UK: AG Barr, Britvic target merger completion by end of February

The new company formed from the merger of AG Barr and Britvic is expected to start trading by the end of next month after the UK's Office of Fair Trading (OFT) said it is to due to give its decision by 13 February.

• SINGAPORE: Government body intervenes in Fraser & Neave battle

TCC Assets and Overseas Union Enterprise (OUE) face an auction unless they can resolve their bidding war over Fraser & Neave, a government watchdog has warned.

• US: Anheuser-Busch InBev, Modelo deal under threat - analyst

Anheuser-Busch InBev's bid to acquire the rest of Grupo Modelo could collapse due to “draconian” measures that US regulators are insisting on, according to an analyst.

• GLOBAL: Diageo leads Pernod Ricard in top-end vodka fight - analyst

Pernod Ricard's super-premium vodkas lack the depth to compete with Diageo's as vodka continues its value boom, an analyst has said.

• FRANCE: Rémy Cointreau hails nine-month sales rise as Cognac stays strong

Rémy Cointreau has posted a healthy jump in year-to-date sales as Cognac sales remained strong despite the later Chinese New Year.

• EUROPE: Heineken to relocate Europe executives

Heineken's Central and Eastern European (CEE) senior management team is being relocated from Austria to the group's HQ in Amsterdam, the company has confirmed.

• MEXICO: Coca-Cola FEMSA agrees US$700m deal for Grupo Yoli

Coca-Cola FEMSA is to buy Mexican bottler Grupo Yoli in a deal valued at US$700m, subject to regulatory approval.