just the round-up - the week in drinks

The top ten most visited stories on just-drinks this week included news the world's number one wine group was to reduce its Australian footprint, Coca-Cola has acquired assets in Colombia and Diageo is upping its commitment to fight fraud.

Change at the top for Bacardi

BERMUDA: CEO change at Bacardi

Bacardi has confirmed a change of leadership at the family-owned drinks company. Facundo Bacardi, the Bermuda-based company's chairman, announced that Seamus McBride will replace Andreas Gembler as president and CEO.

Soy drinks to the fore

US: Soy beverages on the rise in US - research

Soy beverages saw a US growth of 19.3% last year as the category makes a definitive move towards the mainstream, recent research has shown.

AG Barr acquisition

UK: A.G. Barr sets up Rubicon purchase

A.G.Barr has lined up the acquisition of Groupe Rubicon. The two UK-based companies confirmed today (5 August) that Barr, which owns the Irn Bru soft drink brand, will buy Rubicon for GBP59.8m (US$116.9m).

Stoli sale talk denied

RUSSIA: Stolichnaya vodka not for sale - SPI

Stolichnaya vodka is not for sale, but brand owner SPI Group is in negotiations to form new distribution agreements in key markets, minority shareholder Andrey Skurikhin has told just-drinks.

CCHBC ups Italian presence

ITALY: Coca-Cola Hellenic readies Socib buy

Coca-Cola Hellenic has lined up the purchase of Socib in Italy. The Greece-based company confirmed today (6 August) that it will buy Socib, the second largest Coca-Cola franchise bottler in Italy, for EUR270m (US$416.5m) including debt.

Constellation to sell assets

US: Constellation to reduce Australia presence

Constellation Brands is looking to sell some of its wine assets in Australia. The US-based company confirmed yesterday (6 August) that it will divest certain assets at Constellation Wines Australia and will implement changes to its wine portfolio and production footprint in the country.

Coke Colombian buy

COLOMBIA: Coca-Cola FEMSA, Coca-Cola Co. snap up Bavaria's Brisa

Coca-Cola FEMSA has teamed up The Coca-Cola Company to acquire Agua Brisa from SABMiller's subsidiary in Colombia.

Diageo fights fraud

CHINA: Diageo files lawsuit against Johnnie Walker copycat

Diageo has filed legal action against Chinese drinks firm Blue Blood, accusing the group of copying the packaging design used on Johnnie Walker whisky.

Italian wine scandal latest

ITALY: Scandal fails to dent Brunello di Montalcino sales

Sales of Brunello di Montalcino wine rose strongly in the first half of this year, despite a fraud investigation against some of the region's best-known producers, the local wine union has said.

Molson Coors struggles

US/CANADA: One-off costs hammer Molson Coors in H1

Molson Coors has posted a marked drop in profits for the first half of this year, as one-off charges made their presence felt.