just the round-up - the week in drinks

It was the big names and the big deals that dominated the just-drinks headlines in this last week. Read on to see which stories attracted the most visitors over the last seven days.

Robert Sands speaks to just-drinks

The just-drinks interview - Constellation Brands, part two

A net loss in the last fiscal year and the global credit crunch may have led some to believe that Constellation Brands' rampaging acquisitive growth strategy may have to be put on hold. In the second part of this month's just-drinks interview, Constellation CEO Rob Sands suggests the emphasis is currently on creating efficiencies in existing businesses but that Constellation has lost neither its will nor the wherewithal to make further acquisitions.

The 2008 UK wine market survey

GLOBAL: UK wine market no longer world's most important - survey

Whilst the UK wine industry remains confident about its future, the majority of the trade no longer sees the country as the most important wine market in the world, according to a survey of leading business figures conducted by just-drinks.

Diageo Canadian acquisition

UK: Diageo to buy Schenley Distillery from Constellation

Diageo has agreed in principle to acquire the Schenley Distillery and Bottling operation in Canada from Constellation Spirits. The purchase price was not disclosed.

Fortune loses court claim

US: Court dismisses Fortune V&S injunction - report

A New York court has dismissed Fortune Brand's claim for an injunction to prevent the transfer of a minority stake in its Beam_Global Spirits & Wine unit to the Swedish government by Vin & Sprit, according to reports.

CCA on the acquisition hunt?

AUS: Coca-Cola Amatil mulling Foster's Group swoop? - report

Reports out of Australia this weekend have claimed that Coca-Cola Amatil could be gearing up for a major acquisition push, possibly for Foster's Group.

US wine legend passes away

US: Robert Mondavi dies at 94

Robert Mondavi, the man who changed the landscape of the US wine industry, passed away on Friday (16 May).

InBev eyes A-B

BELGIUM: InBev working on Anheuser bid - report

Belgian brewer InBev is working on a US$46bn bid for Anheuser Busch an article in the Financial Times said today (23 May), boosting the US brewer's stock price.

B-F unveils succession plan

US: Brown-Forman announces board changes

Brown-Forman has announced several upcoming changes to its board of directors as part of its long-term succession plan.

CEDC boosts Russian presence

RUSSIA: CEDC to acquire Russian Alcohol stake for $156m

Central European Distribution Corporation has signed a binding commitment to acquire a 40% stake in the Russian Alcohol Group (Russian Alcohol) for US$156.5m.

Champagne Indage UK buy

INDIA: Champagne Indage buys Darlington Wines

India's oldest and largest vintner, Champagne Indage , has acquired UK-based supplier Darlington Wines.