Facing a decrease in the Korean demand for wine and a fall in wine imports since the beginning of the year, Winenara, the leading local independent distributor has decided to change its strategy by deferring its development programme designed to increase the number of its outlets (wine bars, restaurants and boutiques) to 100 in the next 5 years. However, Winenara intends to increase its sales and promotional activities in order to differentiate itself from its super- and hypermarket competitors and to establish strong links with its customers. (Source: VSB)

Diageo has announced it is cutting its marketing budget this year in response to the economic downturn, but expects deflation to boost its return to investments.

Diageo is also spending more on off-trade promotions, with the recession fuelling growth in at-home drinking.(Source: The Drinks Business)

Indage Vintners and the cooperative Cavit have signed a memorandum of agreement with a view to starting a 50-50 joint venture.

The new company will have two activities; one commercial to ensure the penetration of both partners’ products and the other will involve winegrowing to integrate Italian grape varieties in India. (Source: VSB)

Oeneo Group achieved sales of €32 million in the first quarter of 2009, a 6.8% decrease compared to the €34.3 million in sales accomplished in the first quarter of 2008. This decrease is partially due to poor results in the barrel-making division, whose sales decreased by 15.3% down to €17 million. The cork division, on the other hand, posted a 5.1% increase up to €15 million, supported by significant growth in the Diam cork range. (Source: VSB)

The Italian Wine Alliance, a group of 9 Italian independent wine producers, has just opened a representative office in Shanghai with the aim of organising promotional and educational events all over China to call attention to Italian wines. (Source: VSB)

Siam Winery, the leading wine producer in Thailand, also imports Californian wines. During the 1^st quarter of 2009, Siam Winery widened its range to include wines from South Africa, Australia and France. (Source: VSB)

Joseph Mellot - The Original accelerates its sustainable development plan while becoming the first viticultural company in the Loire Center to obtain ISO 14001 certification. This certification shows the strong involvement of Joseph Mellot in a continuous and global improvement of environmental aspects within the company.

“Being respectful of the environment does not only mean producing organic wines! Be respectful of the environment means putting in place innovative solutions in order to make quality wines issued from vineyards farmed in respect with the soil and the people. Joseph Mellot wines, either in our wine cellar or after delivery to customers, must deliver a true environmental message attached to our strong company values” stated Catherine Corbeau Mellot. (Source: Vinexpo)

Following satisfaction of regulatory closing conditions Pernod Ricard announces the completion of the sale to Campari of its Wild Turkey American straight bourbon brand and related businesses, for a total price of US$ 581 million in cash, i.e. € 417 million at the current exchange rate. (Source: Vinexpo)

Diageo has signed a deal with Marnier-Lapostolle to distribute the French group's Grand Marnier liqueur across Europe.

Diageo will distribute the liqueur range in 61 markets across Western and Eastern Europe.

Financial details were not disclosed. (Source: Just-Drinks.com)

French group Jeanjean’s first quarter sales in 2009 were €36.3 million, down 2.6% compared to figures for the same period in 2008.

This fall is mainly due to a 10% decrease in exports down to €13.1 million, while domestic sales grew by 3% to reach €23.2 million. (Source: VSB)

Diageo, the world's biggest spirits group, announced Wednesday the closure of a grain distillery and a packaging plant in Scotland with the loss of nearly 900 jobs to cut its costs in the current downturn.

The London-based maker of Johnnie Walker and J&B scotch whiskies said it would create some 400 jobs at its largest packaging plant in eastern Scotland, which would result in the group's Scottish workforce being cut by a net 500 to 4,000. (Source: Reuters)

The coopers François Frères have taken a 50% share in Stavin, a group specialised in oak products for winemaking, and made a commitment to complete a full takeover in the mid-term. Stavin is located in California and achieves annual sales of €7.16 million. (Source: VSB)

The Argentine wine company Argento are about to launch their brand from Mendoza into the US through Lion Nathan USA.

Next month’s launch comes on the back of recent distribution expansion into countries such as China, Poland, Argentina and Australia and takes the number of countries in which Argento is available globally to 46.(Source: Harpers.com)

Since April, The Edrington Group has opened two direct distribution subsidiaries for its products in Taiwan and in Korea, which replace Maxxium. Edrington has also initiated a similar trend in Europe by opening distribution subsidiaries in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland, while joining forces with Beam Global Spirits & Wine to distribute both partners’ products in 18 other countries in Europe and Asia Pacific. (Source: VSB)

The Japanese version of the Burgundy Wine Bureau’s website has just been launched. Japanese consumers and trade professionals will find on it all the information they need to really understand Burgundy wines.

Japan is the 3^rd largest export market for Burgundy wines. (Source: VSB)

Over the next five years, Castel expects to double its sales volume on the expanding Russian market where the middle class is expressing a growing penchant for quality wine. This development shows promise for an annual turnover of 45.6 million euros by 2013, versus the 27.2-million-euro turnover acquired in 2008 (up 19.3% on 2007).

As many as 21 million bottles of wine are expected to go to market in 2013, as opposed to the 11.3 million marketed in 2008 (up 2.7% on 2007).

Castel aims to develop its commercial network within Russia’s 8 federal districts and 28 main cities exceeding 1 million inhabitants, increasing its sales force by 50% over the next five years. (Vinexpo Hall 1 BD 270) (Source: Vinexpo)

Chilean producer Montes is set to produce wines in the Douro.

Chairman Aurelio Montes revealed he has been visiting the region looking for investment opportunities.

The intention is to produce still red wines, and Montes plans to source grapes and lease wineries initially, rather than plant vineyards and build a winery.

He is also considering working in collaboration with a well-known winery in the region. (Source: Decanter.com)

Allegrini, one of the best known Amarone producers in Veneto, is to give a free bottle of wine to drivers as part of a drink-driving campaign in Italy.

Throughout May, all designated drivers who manage to successfully stay off alcohol during nights out will be rewarded with a complimentary bottle of Palazzo della Torre.  (Vinexpo Hall 1 A 141) (Source: Decanter.com)

Gratien Meyer, which specialises in Loire sparkling wines (Saumur and Crémant), has posted a 5% increase in its sales turnover, reaching €11 million. The company based in Saumur is a subsidiary of the German firm Henkel and benefited from export business and the popularity of the Loire Crémant. (Vinexpo Hall 1 A 220 ) (Source: VSB)

Antonio Banderas is thought to have acquired 50% shareholding of Bodega Anta Natura, fulfilling his lifelong dream to becoming a winemaker in his native Spain.

The bodega will be renamed Anta Banderas as part of the deal.

According to president of Bodega Anta natura, Banderas chose the bodega “because of the quality of the wines, and its great potential for international expansion.” (Vinexpo Hall 2 MN 41 -4) (Decanter.com)

New Zealand Winegrowers as announced that David Cox will become its new director of Europe. Cox, who has called the role his “dream job”.  NZ winegrowers said that Cox was chosen form many reasons, among them his “broad commercial experience, wide-reaching connections and commitment and passion for sustainable wines”. (Source: The DrinksBusiness.com)

Morocco has become one of the largest winemakers in the Muslim world, with the equivalent of 35 million bottles produced last year. "Morocco is a country of tolerance," said Mehdi Bouchaara, the deputy general manager at the Celliers de Meknes, the country's largest winemaker, which bottles over 85 percent of national output. "It's everybody's personal choice whether to drink or not." The Celliers have flourished on this tolerance and now cultivate 2,100 hectares of vineyards. (Vinexpo Hall 1 DE 50) (Source: The Associated Press)

Diageo, the world's biggest spirits group, expects to spend less on marketing this year due to the global downturn but aims to get more for its money. "Our marketing spend will be down this year, but our effective spend will be up," Chief Marketing Officer Andy Fennell said. His comments could send a chill through the advertising world because Diageo is one of the biggest spenders on TV ads. Fennell says deflation can be as much as 25 percent in some channels of advertising and efficiencies within the group can produce even bigger savings, while its marketing focus will switch to growth areas like Africa and to its fastest-growing brands.  "In recession it is harder to find growth, but it is still possible," said Fennell, after giving an investor presentation on group marketing. He says Africa is still seeing double-digit sales growth after reporting growth of 20 percent in the half year to end-December 2008. (Source: Reuters)

The 31 properties sold by Foster cover about 5 000 ha, and are in Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia. The sale of these properties and the decision to retire 37 wine brands, came about as a result of an internal review of its wine operations.

Landmark is handling the sale and spokesman Ian Desborough said he could not comment on price.

However, onlookers have speculated that the price tag could be somewhere about €108m. (Source: weeklytimesnow.com)

Constellation Wines has just sold Goundrey Wines, an Australian winery as well as four vineyards also in Western Australia for €4.55 million. The Canadian company Vincor, which is now a subsidiary of Constellation, bought Goundrey Wines in 2002 for €34.8 million. However Constellation still holds on to the Goundrey brand. (Source: VSB)

The coopers François Frères has announced a 10.5% rise in sales, achieving €21.86 million in the third quarter of its 2008-2009 financial year. Its new whisky cask business already accounts for more than 20% of the company’s consolidated turnover, and compensates for the 8.3% fall in wine barrel sales. (Source: VSB)

After Diageo’s announcement that it has just closed its London office, rumours are also circulating about closures of Constellation and Gallo premises. In this way, these groups would reduce the prohibitive expenses incurred in the British capital, while sales in Europe are relatively low. These are presumably temporary closures for a year or two, like that of the second largest champagne group Boizel Chanoine Champagne, which has also taken the decision to close its office until 2010. (Source: VSB)

Domaines Barons de Rothschild (DBR), owner of one of the greatest Bordeaux estates, Château Lafite, has the ambition to produce a fine wine in China on the Shandong peninsula. The 25-hectare (62-acre) vineyard near the town of Penglai, will be developed in collaboration with the Chinese state-run group CITIC. DBR (Lafite) technicians visited many Chinese regions, but this peninsula turned out to be the most promising for the production of a premium wine, both in terms of its weather and its geology. “I am very pleased to be developing a winegrowing project in a country where interest in fine wines grows every year”, commented DBR Manager, Baron Eric de Rothschild. (Source: AFP)

Moët & Chandon has signed up Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson as the new face of the Champagne brand. She will feature in print advertising and digital marketing activities. (Source: The Drinks-business.com)

Constellation Brands, the world’s biggest wine company, said it is cutting its work force 5 percent and lowering its profit outlook largely because of a drop in wine sales in Britain and Australia in late 2008.

Constellation Brands, which employs about 8 000 people worldwide, plans to eliminate 400 jobs. (Source: The Press Democrat.com)

As at every Vinexpo, Castel, the world's leading family business for French wines, will be giving an original presentation of its brands, its Châteaux and its new products on its stand for customers from around the globe. The difference this year is that Castel will be celebrating its 60th anniversary.

With more than 580 million bottles produced and sold every year throughout the world generating a turnover of more than 1 billion euro and more than 5,000 wine references, Castel is the 3rd largest international group in terms of volume.

Apart from professional tasting sessions, to mark its commitment to the conviviality surrounding French wines and to pay tribute to its work as French catering partner (20% of national business), the Castel stand will also be offering its existing and prospective customers a gourmet restaurant service combining food and wine, by invitation and reservation only.

These are just some of the events that will mark the 60^th year of the Castel Group. (Vinexpo Hall 1 BD 270 / Contact: Muriel Nicolas +33 1 56 77 14 14)

US wine giant E&J Gallo has scaled back its operations in the UK in response to rising taxation levels. It is understood that around 50 jobs will be eliminated, mostly in marketing and sales. This was despites Gallo announcing a strong sales performance in the UK, selling more than 5.3m nine-litre cases despite the difficult economic climate. (Source: IWSR)

A subsidiary of Grands Chais de France, Cap Monde that specialises in importing foreign wines has begun distributing Tunisian wines again, produced by the Winegrowers of Carthage.

Founded in 1948, this cooperative group covers 9,000 hectares (more than 22,000 acres) of the 14,000 hectares (34,500 acres) of Tunisian vines, and sells 20 out of the 30 million bottles produced in this market. (Source: VSB)

Concha y Toro Group, with its subsidiaries, accounts for 37% of the total volume of Chilean wine exports, which is 10% more than in 2003. In terms of value, the Group’s share of Chilean exports has evolved from 23.5% in 2003 to 31.4% in 2008, reaching €389 million, an increase of 3.5%. Concha y Toro forecasts 10% growth in the volumes it exports in 2009, despite the economic climate. (Club du Lac Vinexpo) (Source: VSB)

Sales turnover of Belvedere Group (Sobieski, Marie-Brizard and William Peel) grew by 14% in 2008 to reach €1.2 billion.

This growth was accelerated by a 19% increase in sales in Poland, which represented 63% of total business, while sales in France that account for 22% of the group’s overall activity, decreased slightly by 1%. US sales that cover 5% of the business grew by 3%. (Vinexpo Hall 1 BD 280) (Source: Rayon Boissons)

Zonin - an Italian family spiritZonin is one of the great wine families. Since 1821, seven generations of the Zonin family have gradually built one of the largest private winegrowing companies in Italy and Europe. The family has been able to rely on the know-how of a technical team made up of 32 oenologists and technicians led by oenologist Franco Giacosa.
The family’s  1,800 hectares (4,450 acres) of vines made up of 10 estates, produce more than 23 million bottles, of which 40% is exported to 89 countries in the world. (Vinexpo Hall 1 B 130) (Source: VINO magazine)

The Louisville, Kentucky-based company announced the cuts alongside other measures designed to save it up to €19 millions a year.

The vast majority of the cuts are expected to come in the US and Mexico, with some positions in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region also under threat. (Source: The drinks business.com)

Les Grands Chais de France has consolidated its partnership with Dynasty, one of the leading Chinese winegrowing groups, by entrusting it with the exclusive importation and distribution of J.P. Chenet wines on the Chinese market. The continuation of this agreement thus opens the Chinese market to the six wines of the J.P. Chenet range (4 varietals and 2 sparkling wines), which is already the leading brand of French wines sold worldwide. This deal is also strengthened by technical cooperation and exchanges between people of the two companies. (Source: Vitisphère)

Since the beginning of March, La Martiniquaise has strengthened its portfolio with the pastis brands Duval and Casanis, Avèzen Saint Raphaёl the gentian-based beverage and the L’Héritier Guyot fruit liqueurs, purchased last year from the Boisset group. With these additional products, La Martiniquaise anticipates sales turnover of €930 million in 2009 compared to €810 million in 2008, when business had already grown by 12%. The group now seeks to reinforce its presence in Portugal, Spain and the UK and would also like to acquire local brands in Germany and Poland. (Source: Décision Boissons)

From 1^st May 2009, Baron Philippe de Rothschild France Distribution (RFD) is to be made responsible for the distribution in France of the main brands of Gruppo Campari: Campari, Glen Grant whisky, SKYY vodka and X-Rated and Illyquore liqueurs.

This widened range enables RFD to strengthen its portfolio of spirits, which previously had no vodka brand. Campari and Glen Grant were formerly distributed by Lixir. (Source: VSB)

It was back in 1999 that seven Bordeaux partners, friends and winegrowers planted the first vine in an 850-hectare (2,100-acre) area in Argentina at the foot of the Andes mountains in the heart of Mendoza. The idea was for each person to make a “personal” wine from his own vines and they would all contribute together to the production of a “community wine”: Clos de los Siete. With an annual production of 80,000 cases and sales of €4.3 million, the Clos de los Siete brand is sold in more than 40 countries. (Source: VSB)

The agreement between the Italian Campari Group and Rothschild France Distribution (RFD) covering the sale of Campari, Glen Grant, Skyy, X-rated Fusion and Illyquore in France, will increase RFD’s 2009 sales turnover. These additional brands should enable the subsidiary of Baron Philippe de Rothschild Wines to invoice €13 million of extra sales, bringing RFD’s turnover in 2009 close to €80 million, compared to €68 million in 2008. (Source: Rayon Boissons)