The 1988 acquisition of Irish Distillers Ltd (IDL) by Pernod Ricard is the great drinks industry acquisition that almost never happened. As the story goes, the French company – then a fraction of the size of today’s colossus – originally only wanted a small slice of the Irish whiskey pie.
Germany suggests widening of EU “grubbing-up” plan
The German government has called on Brussels to consider expanding its plan for EU vintners to grub up vineyards.
Dean Best October 06 2025









