On just-drinks last week:

• The threatened ban of large-sized full-sugar soft drinks in New York became reality on Thursday. Much as it's been in the offing since May, soft drinks producers now have until March to prepare for the bill's implementation.
• In spirits, the rum 'cover over' row rumbles on, with Diageo defending the use of tax subsidies by the home of its new rum distillery. The long-running nature of this matter – four years! – means we can confidently add it to the list of “Tiffs That Won't Go Away Any Time Soon”.
• Speaking of tiffs, Heineken seems on course for a bar-room brawl with ThaiBev, after the latter looked to crash Heineken's Asian Pacific Breweries party on Thursday. The Dutch brewer has been counting down the days to an EGM at the end of this month, but may now spend the coming weeks searching for a partner to help top ThaiBev's bid for its partner in APB, Fraser & Neave.
• Sticking with beer, just-drinks was in Russia last week with Carlsberg, to cover the brewer's Capital Markets Day. We'll have more on the brewer's presentations later this week but, for now, here's an exclusive amuse-bouche from CEO Joergen Buhl Rasmussen.
• In the wine world, Australian Vintage got its house back in order last week, with the appointment of a new GM for the UK & Europe. The company made the move following the departure of its previous incumbent in the role, Paul Schaafsma, to Accolade Wines in August. Speaking of which, Accolade will be among the exhibitors at next week's two-day Cape Wine trade fair in South Africa. If you're also heading to the Cape, drop us a line and maybe we can share a Pinotage/cab/bunk.