Rémy Cointreau and William Grant & Sons have signed a distribution agreement concerning several European markets. In France, a new joint venture has been set up with a 50 - 50 share between the two family groups, to run Lixir, currently owned by Maxxium and Grant. (Source: Décision Boissons)

With deliveries down 5.5%, only just clearing the 150 million bottle mark over the 12 months up to the end of August, the Cognac market’s downward trend is lasting. The only exception to the trend is the Far East with a rise of 7.1% to reach 41.4 million bottles. This growth is principally attributable to increases in China, up 15.1%, in Singapore, up 16.9%, as well as Taiwan, up 31.5% and Malaysia, up 5.6%. (Source: Décision Boissons)

German group Henkell & Söhnlein has concluded a joint venture with the Indian group Allied Blenders & Distillers, one of the first spirits producers in India, in order to make and sell its vodka on the sub-continent. (Source: VSB)

Fair Trade wines are increasingly attractive especially given the public’s greater sensitivity to environmental and social issues. Hence, the firm Origin Wine (South Africa) offers red, white and rosé fair trade wines from South Africa, Argentina and Chile. Proceeds from sales will be used to finance the building of schools and hospitals. (Source: Eurowine)

The French government has proposed a series of measures aimed at cracking down on youth drinking.

These measures, proposed by Minister of Health Roselyne Bachelot, include the prevention of sales of alcohol to under 18s, the removal of any alcohol drinks in petrol service stations, and the end of ‘open bars’ –which charge entry but serve free drinks- for students.

There is also discussion about lowering the alcohol driving limit to 0.2 g/l from the current 0.3 g/l for young drivers. (Source: Decanter.com)

The latest half-year figures for Bulgarian wine exports show a negative trend, almost 48m litres of wine were exported, compared to 58m litres for the six months of 2007.

With a domestic consumption of 47m litres and exports amounting to 116m litres in 2007, Bulgaria is clearly a net wine exporter.

In 2007 Russia took 69% of the wine exports. The second most important market was Poland, which only absorbed 21m litres. (Source: Wine Business International.com)

After a 27-year-old civil war in Angola, imports started growing again.

Now, Angola is the biggest market for wine in Africa after South Africa. The market grew from around €16m in 2002 to over €58m in 2006 – an increase of about 229%.

The key supplier is Portugal at 64%, Spain is number two at 23%, with South Africa at 4%. (Source: Wine Business International)