On just-drinks last week:
- SABMiller brought the curtain down on the latest results season when it released its half-year numbers on Thursday. While the H1 top-line figures looked pretty rosy, the brewer warned that the second half of its fiscal year will not be in quite such rude health. SABMiller has high hopes for its innovation pipeline, however.
- In the wine world, three southern hemisphere trade bodies announced that they are teaming up to host a joint tasting in the UK next year. With Wines of Argentina, Chile and South Africa hosting 'The Beautiful South' in 2013, could this - finally - be the start of a consolidatory approach to wine's future?
- While China has oft been trumpeted as being the next big thing, the soft drinks producers among us may want to look a bit harder at the country. A study released on Monday has suggested that partnership with local partners offers a way-in for smaller international firms. If the soft drinks producers of the West can replicate the success of Cognac in China, then the sky is the limit in the coming years.
- And, speaking of spirits, just what on earth is going on at Central European Distribution Corp?