“We need to show young people that quality has more to offer in terms of enjoyment and excitement than quantity,” says Jean-Robert Pitte, President of the French Mission for Food Heritage and Cultures. (Source: La Revue du Vin de France)

Franco-Polish spirits group Belvedere is reported to be preparing to sell its star liqueur Marie Brizard and various whisky brands acquired for high prices two years ago, in order to reduce debts. This would represent the end of the Group’s ambitious expansion plans to become a world market leader capable of rivalling Pernod-Ricard, for example. (Source: Le Figaro Economie)

Fortune Brands has announced that it has finalised its transactions with Pernod Ricard and has notably received €160 million in compensation for the premature termination of the joint-venture agreement regarding the distribution of spirits in the US. Fortune Brands added that it has acquired the rum brand Cruzan from the French group for €70 million. (Source: Reuters)

Diageo has just announced that it has increased its shareholding in the traditional Sichuan distillery Quanxing from 43% to 49%. Diageo, who “has confidence in the potential of Chinese spirits”, undertakes to strengthen its support of the Shui Jing Fang brand internationally, under which Quanxing’s top premium products are sold. (Source: VSB)

aguay is still a small market, consuming a little less than 3 million cases of still light wines. It is however a vibrant market that has almost doubled in size (94%) in 8 years. Paraguay produces wine, but not enough today to satisfy its local demand. Its leading supplier, Argentina supplied 93% of the wine drunk in 2006, up 134% in 8 years. (Source: Revue Vinicole Internationale – The IWSR)

Ian Johnston has been appointed CEO of the Foster’s Group effect. Johnston replaces Trevor O’Hoy who left in July after Foster’s had just announced writedowns, attributed largely to the disappointing performance of the wine sector. It was Fosters' first loss in 16 years. (Source: Wine Business International)

Due in part to lower Chardonnay volumes, the 2008 yields, are expected to be lower than last year, a bumper harvest, which produced 338m bottles of champagne, 5% more than the 321m bottles produced in 2006. It is the only area left in France that exclusively harvestedby hand. (Source: Wine Business International)