This week in spirits & wine

This week in spirits & wine

Here's a round-up of this week's top stories in the spirits & wine categories. We also have similar round-ups for beer & cider and soft drinks & water.

Gruppo Campari has followed yesterday's reports of a move for Marnier-Lapostolle with an announcement today of a EUR684m (US$761.4m) takeover of the French spirits company.

Earlier today, Gruppo Campari announced its planned takeover of Marnier-Lapostolle. Here, just-drinks takes a closer look at the French company.

Yesterday, Gruppo Campari announced plans to take over Marnier-Lapostolle in a deal worth US$761.4m. In the notes that followed, analysts have hailed the deal not only for the geographical boost it will offer Campari, but also for the group's addition of a sixth global brand to its spirits stable, in Grand Marnier (the other five are Campari, Aperol, Skyy vodka, Wild Turkey whiskey, and Appleton rum).

It has been 30 years since what Willi Klinger refers to as Austria's darkest hour for wine.

Accolade Wines has targeted an almost eight-fold increase in UK volumes for new acquisition Vina Anakena before its first full year of ownership.

Many countries have already restricted - or are beginning to restrict - the advertising and promotion of alcohol, in response to public health concerns around over-consumption and underage drinking. As big-ticket items like TV, radio, outdoor advertising and sponsorship disappear from marketers' toolkits, how can drinks brands continue to connect with consumers and achieve brand saliency in these so-called 'dark' markets?

Bacardi has updated its US legal filing from 2004 against Pernod Ricard over the Havana Club trademark in the country.

This month, Chris Losh looks at Sauvignon Blanc, a varietal synonymous with - and dominant in - New Zealand. Has Sauvignon Blanc hit the top and had to stop?

Jose Cuervo has declined to comment on reports it is considering an IPO in Mexico.

New Zealand winemaker Peter Yealands has warned that Marlborough could run out of vineyard sapce in the next few years, kickstarting a move into the region's hard hillside terrain.

One third of UK drinkers struggle to identify craft brands, according to new research.