According to reports in the German financial press, the juice and drinks group, Eckes, has received bids from the sparkling wine producer, Henkell & Soehnlein, and Italian spirits group, Campari, for its alcoholic drinks division which it put up for sale last year.

The report in the Financial Times Deutschland also suggested Eckes had received higher offers at the last minute, forcing it to cancel meetings which were aimed at choosing the successful bidder. The newspaper also said Diageo, Allied Domecq and Pernod Ricard were considered as possible buyers.