Richard Sands, chief executive of the US Constellation Brands, has firmly ruled out any bid for problem plagued Australian wine group Southcorp.


Constellation Brands listed on the Australian Stock Exchange Monday following its A$1.9 billion (US$1.14 billion) takeover of BRL Hardy.


Sands said, in Constellation’s opinion, Southcorp’s brands – principally Penfolds, Rosemount, Lindemans and Wynns – while having global recognition were more staid than those of BRL Hardy. The latter had the up and coming brands in Banrock Station, Nottage Hill and Hardys.


Sands said Constellation also favoured the decentralised culture of BRL. “Southcorp does not have that culture. To a large extent that’s why they got into trouble.” He added, however, that Constellation would continue to distribute Southcorp brands on premise in the UK as long as Southcorp wished.

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