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Constellation Brands

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We're approaching the first anniversary of Constellation Brands' move into the cannabis space. And, if drinks industry observers were excited then, they're even more excited now.

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With brewers eyeing the cannabis industry with both interest and enthusiasm, beer commentator Stephen Beaumont has some words of warning for them, before they take their first steps into unknown territory.

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just-drinks' regular wine commentator Chris Losh has been away this summer. While away, has he been smoking something? If he has, it's given him something to warn the global wine category about.

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Ask Tony Magee, the founder of Heineken's Californian craft brewer, Lagunitas Brewing Co, about the relationship his company has with the global brewer and he'll tell you: "We are trying to infect them with our thinking."

Earlier today, Australian private equity group CHAMP announced the divestment of Accolade Wines to The Carlyle Group for AUD1bn (US$768m). The news marks the end of CHAMP's association in wine, which started in 2011 when it bought 80% of Constellation Brands' Australian and UK wine operations for AUD290m (then-US$290m). Having spoken to CHAMP CEO John Haddock at the time of the purchase, it seemed only right for just-drinks to grab him for one final chat, to find out what CHAMP is passing over, why they're selling and what wine lessons the group learnt over the last seven years.

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At ProWein 2014, Andy Morton sat down with Constellation's international general manager Philip Kingston to talk about its expanding global ambitions including a new tie-up in China for its Robert Mondavi brand.

Australian company The Cannabis Co has lined up a gin distilled using cannabis terpenes.

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Constellation Brands has said it is considering "a variety of potential options" for its wine portfolio following a report the company is looking to sell some US wine brands.

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Constellation Brands has emerged as the third major US-based drinks company to announce a change of CEO, with Rob Sands set to stand down early next year.

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Canada has today (17 October) become the second country in the world to legalise the recreational use of cannabis.

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Constellation's US beer business is "hitting on all cylinders" thanks to a combination of strong consumer reception, effective marketing and distribution gains, according to CEO Rob Sands.

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Constellation Brands is targeting a continued double-digit sales rise performance from its booming beer division in fiscal-2019, with combined wine & spirits operations projected to grow in the low-single-digit range.

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Constellation Brands has increased the number of directors on its board, with the chief legal officer of Colgate-Palmolive Co moving across in a non-executive capacity.

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Constellation Brands' San Diego-based craft brewer Ballast Point has released a wine-barrel-aged beer, its debut launch from a new unit focussed exclusively on barrel-aged products.

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Diageo has declined to comment on a report linking the drinks giant with a pending entry into the cannabis market in Canada.

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Constellation Brands has appointed its first chief diversity officer.

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Constellation Brands has acquired "bicultural" Texas-based beer maker Four Corners Brewing for an undisclosed sum.

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The head of Constellation Brands has said recently-launched Corona Premier has exceeded expectations at the company.

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Constellation Brands has posted a 6% lift in group sales on the corresponding period a year earlier.

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Constellation Brands has launched a range of spiked seltzers under its Svedka vodka brand, in an effort to target female consumers. 

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Constellation Brands has appointed a chief technology officer as the group looks to adapt to what it calls an "ever-changing digital landscape".

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The head of Anheuser-Busch InBev has said the group is happy to watch the development of the cannabis industry from the sidelines for the time being, despite a recent move into the category from one of its North American peers.

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Constellation Brands has unveiled the design plans for its Svedka vodka-branded alcoholic seltzer.

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A New Zealand initiative to produce lower-alcohol wines "naturally" has borne its first fruit, with two 9.5% iterations launching in the UK this week.

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Constellation Brands has lined up a distribution agreement with France's Champagne Palmer & Co in the US.

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Constellation Brands' San Diego brewery, Ballast Point, has launched its first nationally-distributed beer to be based on a cocktail recipe.

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Anheuser-Busch InBev's Corona Mexican beer has overtaken Skol to retake its crown as Latin America's most valuable brand.

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Accolade Wines finally has a new owner, with Australian private equity group CHAMP and Constellation Brands securing a sale of the company to The Carlyle Group.

Earlier this week, Constellation Brands released the latest results of its 'Project Genome' wine consumer study in North America. The company also issued this infographic of its findings.

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Constellation Brands CEO Rob Sands appears a happy man right now. His company took full control of Grupo Modelo's US beer business in the US earlier this year and now the holiday season is just round the corner, when sales should soar.