Pernod’s Agency Brand Aversion Cools Talk of Cuervo Agreement
Pernod-Ricard SA (RI), France’s biggest distiller, said it doesn’t plan to take on “agency brands” in the Americas, cooling speculation that it may take over Diageo Plc (DGE)’s distribution agreement for Cuervo tequila outside Mexico. “I don’t see that agency brands...
Big Beer’s response to craft: If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em
FORTUNE -- There are countless advantages that come with being a massive, multinational enterprise. But sometimes, a big company needs to learn how to act small. Amid the rise of craft beer, this has never been more the case for big brewers. As Denis Wilson noted on...
“Serious concerns” regarding competitiveness of Caribbean rum
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries say they continue to have “serious concerns” regarding the competitiveness of Caribbean rum in the United States and have renewed calls for talks with Washington on the issue. A statement issued at the end of the CARICOM Council...
Airline Liquor Bottles To Be Replaced With Robot Bartender
The Skytender Trolley dispenses hot and cold drink options without the cabin crew having to pour and open traditional drink containers for passengers. Flight attendants using the system are able to serve hot and cold drink items like juices, soft drinks, cocktails and...
Suntory to list food and soft drinks unit in up to $6 billion IPO – sources
(Reuters) - Japan's Suntory Holdings Ltd SUNTH.UL plans to raise up to $6 billion in an initial public offering of its food and non-alcoholic drinks unit, said people with knowledge of the matter, as it looks to build funds for overseas acquisitions. Japanese drinks...
Oregon wine industry racks up record 2011 sales and production figures
Oregon's commercial wine industry far outpaced the rest of the country in sales growth last year, setting several records in the process. For the first time in its nearly 50-year history, the $2.7 billion industry exceeded the two million case mark, according to the...
Pricing, M&A to dominate wine business in 2013
Hot topics in the North Coast wine business in 2012 were rapid grape and bulk-wine inflation as bottle sales outstrip anticipated supply, an unexpectedly big, “perfect” harvest and a string of mergers and acquisitions. Dominating 2013 likely will be moderating supply...
Burgundy Drinkers Will Pay More as 2012 Production Drops
Despite losing as much as 40 percent of their grapes for the 2012 harvest, the vintners and merchants of Burgundy are smiling. In Burgundy, whose wines compose only about 3 percent of France’s total production, the wineries sell just about every drop they make, even...
Diageo Ends Cuervo Talks, Will Terminate Distribution Deal
Diageo Plc (DGE), the world’s largest distiller, abandoned talks to acquire Cuervo tequila and will seek to end its 26-year-old agreement to distribute the brand, fueling speculation that it may try to find a substitute. Discussions with Cuervo owners JB y Compania SA...