Russian vodka producer Synergy has acquired the Ukrainian vodka brand Myagkov from Locomir Enterprises for an undisclosed sum. The Myagkov brand sold 2.4m nine-litre cases in 2007, a rise of 13% over 2006 levels. Eighty per cent is sold in Russia and 20% in Ukraine. (Source: IWSR)

French women have become major players in the world of wine. They are definitely consumers in their own right -  45% of them drink wine – and are important customers – 78% of wines in supermarkets are actually bought by women. They are also taking over positions in the wine industry as oenologists, wine growers and sommeliers. And according to a recent study awaiting publication, the more a woman is in love, the more she likes wine! (Source: Le Figaro)

A Chinese firm purchased a Bordeaux château situated in the Entre-deux-Mers appellation. This 30 ha estate produces some 160 000 bottles a year of AOC Bordeaux-Bordeaux Superieur. Chinese investors have been attracted by the desire to take over a vineyard which they consider to be “one of the most prestigious in the world”. (Source: EuroWine)

Since tax on wine was scrapped on February, the price has fallen by 20 per cent and imports of wine have soared by 78 per cent, a government spokesman said. Supermarkets and wine stores reacted to the budget measure by slashing prices and some stores are now struggling to import enough wine to meet rapidly-growing demand. (Source: Top News)

Wine production in Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, the Lebanon and Jordan represents 1. 3 million hectolitres per year, or 146 million bottles. Turnover is close to €220 million and has created 50,000 jobs. (Source: Le Figaro)

The Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux has announced the launch of a carbon analys for the Bordeaux wine sector. The bilan carbone is essential for beginning a deliberation about its ecological impact and determining measures which aim to efficiently reduce the level of greenhouse gas emission. Results are expected for September 2008. In France, some compagnies as Rémy Cointreau, Hennesy, and The Vignerons de Vacqueyras Winery have already calculated their carbon analysis.(Source: CIVB / EuroWine)

French group Vin & Société wants to demand an update of the 1991 Evin Law governing alcohol publicity, and currently visiting wine bodies around France to inform them of how bad the situation is. Under the current law governing alcohol advertising in France, the websites of iconic French wines are actually illegal. “We are in an absurd situation, we have to defend the place of wine in French society”, said Marie-Christine Tarby, presidente of Vin & Société. (Source: Sud Ouest / Wine Business International)