just the round-up - The week in drinks

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

Constellation Brands in Australia, UK

AUS: Constellation considers sale in UK and Australian overhaul

Constellation Brands is looking into the possibility of merging a portion of its Australian wine business with Australian Vintage Ltd.

Stock Spirits CEO switch

EUR: Stock Spirits Group changes CEO, appoints Plzen marketing head

Stock Spirits Group has created the new position of marketing director for its division in Czech and Slovakia, Stock Plzen. The firm has also announced a change of CEO.

William Grant & Sons FY results

UK: William Grant & Sons toasts sales rise

William Grant & Sons, owner of Grant's Scotch whisky, has reported a strong sales rise for 2008, but warned of deteriorating fortunes for Scotch in 2009.

Cobra Beer future plans

INDIA: Cobra Beer eyes finance to expand

The founder of Cobra Beer is seeking finance to expand the beer brand in India, five months after Molson Coors stepped in to rescue the company's UK division from collapse.

Carlsberg's battle in Russia

Insight - DENMARK: Carlsberg lobbies hard on Russia tax rise

Carlsberg is lobbying hard to dissuade Russia's Government from tripling excise tax on beer, ahead of a debate on the proposal in the country's parliament this week.

MillerCoors downbeat on US market

Insight - US beer sector to shrink in '09 - MillerCoors

MillerCoors has said that the US beer market is heading for decline in 2009, but the brewer highlighted progress for its premium light portfolio.

Dr Pepper Snapple Group Q3 results

US: Dr Pepper Snapple Group continues with rising profits, falling sales in Q3

Dr Pepper Snapple Group has reported a healthy lift in profits for its third quarter, despite a dip in sales for the period.

Threshers stores to close

UK: First Quench store closures confirmed

The administrators handling collapsed drinks retailer First Quench have confirmed the closure of 373 stores, resulting in 1,738 redundancies.

Bacardi and Michael Schumacher

BERMUDA: Bacardi extends Schumacher social responsibility tie-up

Bacardi has extended its social responsibility partnership with former motor racing champion Michael Schumacher.

Spier veers from multiple grocer channel

UK: Spier drops multiples presence to target UK on-trade

South African wine producer Spier has abandoned the multiple grocer retail channel in the UK, focusing instead on the country's on-trade.