Pernod Ricard, the French spirits and wines group, is to take on the international distribution of Sandeman Port and Sherry for owners Sogrape, having agreed to sell the brands to the Portuguese wine group only last December.

Sogrape entered into an agreement to purchase Sandeman last December, when it was put up for sale by Diageo and Pernod Ricard following their joint purchase of the Seagram spirits and wine business.

The Portuguese Group is already well established in the port market (with the Ferreira and Offley brands).
 
The agreement grants Pernod Ricard worldwide distribution rights to the Sandeman brand (Port and Sherry). Its main markets are in Europe (France, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Holland and the UK) and in North America (USA and Canada).
 
"This agreement adds to Pernod Ricard's portfolio one of the leading Port & Sherry brands. The alliance represents a real opportunity for the development of the Sandeman brand within the Pernod Ricard distribution network, recently strengthened through the Seagram acquisition," Pernod said in a statement.