On just-drinks last week:
The most visited story concerned the UK distribution landscape, which is evidently pretty bleak. On Tuesday, Waverley TBS confirmed that it has entered administration. The news resulted in several drinks producers "making moves to secure unpaid-for stock". For our round-up of the coverage of Waverley's demise, click here.
In beer, Molson Coors redrew its divisional map, with its UK & Ireland unit set to partner with the recently-purchased StarBev operations to create Molson Coors Europe.
In spirits, Brown-Forman was the talk of the town, with one analyst suggesting that the US company is sitting on a US$3bn M&A warchest. As I suggested last month, any prospective tie-up between Diageo and India's UB Group could see the latter's Whyte & Mackay Scotch whisky unit hit the market. Could this two plus two make four?
Wine-wise, the row over Europe's vineyards rumbles on, with the European Union's agricultural commissioner warning last week that “liberalisation is not an option” when it comes to the prospect of removing restrictions on planting new vines.
We're shaping up for a lively week ahead: Deputy editor James Wilmore is over in New York until Friday so, if you're in or around Manhattan and would like to say hello, drop me a line and I'll put the two of you in touch. Meanwhile, our sustainability reporter, Ben Cooper, is in Washington DC today and tomorrow, attending ICAP's 'Global Actions: Initiatives to Reduce Harmful Drinking' conference. The subject of responsible drinking measures is the topic of our next, free webinar, later this month. For full details and to register, click here.