In the 2007 – 2008 financial year, Rémy Cointreau posted its greatest organic growth (9.7%) since 2000 with turnover of €817.8 million.

All divisions reported profits: cognac sales of €362.3 million represented growth of 11.5%, liqueurs and spirits performed a little less dramatically with 4.3% growth and €211.7 million, but the real star was champagne with €142.4 million sales and growth of 15.4%. (Source: Décision Boissons)

After several years of increases, US champagne sales underwent zero growth in the first quarter of 2008, compared to the same period last year. Drops in sales began to be felt at the end of 2007 with a decrease in volumes of 6 to 7%. Since then, the trend has become firmer resulting in a 10% deficit compared to the beginning of 2008. (Source: Les Echos)

The coopers group Tonnellerie François Frères has taken over 100% of Speyside Cooperage, the leading Scottish barrel makers with turnover of €16 million euros and 50% of the Scottish market for whisky casks. This acquisition is the first instance of diversification outside wine and positions the group in the spirits market, a profitable segment whose business cycles and drivers are different from those of the wine industry. (Source: Les Echos)

Argentina is expected to return to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) as a fully entitled member as of June this year.  Having been part of the Organisation since 1953, at the height of its economic crisis, Argentina left the OIV, which unites 43 countries as members. (Source: VSB)

Portuguese winemakers hope to replicate the success of their Vinho Verde, the slightly fizzy white wine that Americans guzzled, with their red wines. The challenge for the winemakers is to get Americans to taste something other than the Vinho Verde. Last year, they drank more than 105,000 cases – a 124 percent rise in consumption from 2005. (Source: Reuters)

The next Vinexpo exhibition will take place in Bordeaux from Sunday 21 to Thursday 25 June 2009.

This will be the 15^th Vinexpo, the biggest wine and spirits exhibition for professionals, where nearly 50,000 visitors and 2,400 producers and exporters from all over the world are expected to attend. (Source: Vinexpo)

Whisky Magazine has just awarded the title of Best Whisky in the World to a 20-year-old pure malt whisky distilled on the shores of the Sea of Japan on the island of Hokkaido. It is the first time a beverage which is not Scottish made, wins this distinction. (Source: Le Soir)