Critics May May 29-31

Pub group's estate value nosedives

Pub group Young & Co has taken an £11 million hit to its finances after it decreased the value of some of its 219 pubs due to plummeting property prices.

Disaronno plans summer sales boost

Disaronno is promising a heavyweight on-trade marketing campaign this summer as part of a £5m spend on the liqueur brand throughout 2009.

Stock Spirits in central European expansion

Stock Spirits Group (SSG) has announced that it is expanding its central European operations with the opening of two new offices in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Cobra deal costs creditors £75m

Molson Coors UK has taken a 50.1% stake in Cobra Beer after the business went into administration last week.

Argentina wine exports back in growth

Argentine wine exports are back on track following a shaky start to the year, according to new figures.

Irish sales down as drinkers head north

Drinks sales in Ireland have taken a big hit as consumers head north to take advantage of cheaper prices in Ulster.

French wine drinking in decline

French households have cut back on their wine expenditure, according to newly-released government figures.

New venture for celebrity chef

Celebrity chef John Burton-Race has been appointed as group development chef, on a £500,000 project that will also see the creation of 50 new jobs.

Berry Bros in biodynamic wine crusade

Berry Bros & Rudd is launching an online drive to raise awareness of biodynamic wine after research showed interest in - but confusion about - the concept among consumers.

Absolut sheds label for launch

An Absolut bottle with no label and no logo is to be released into international markets by Pernod Ricard.

Critics May May 22-24

What the press have to say over the May bank holiday weekend.

Ketel One JV in first major ad push

Ketel One vodka is to have its first ever TV ad campaign in the US market.

American wineries hit by EU ban

American wine producers are pressing politicians to fight European Union rules which will stop them using words like chateau or vintage on their labels.

Union joins Fair Pint pub campaign

A campaign to defend the British pub against crippling tenancy arrangements has been boosted by the support of one of the UK's biggest unions.

Beer outpaces wine at Lion Nathan

Lion Nathan, the Australian-based drinks producer, has reported a jump in profits thanks to increased sales of premium beers.

Finalists announced for UK restaurant manager of the year

Six finalists have been announced for the first UK Restaurant Manager of the Year competition organised by the Academy of Food & Wine.

Glenmorangie launch new Private Collection

Glenmorangie has launched the first of a new collection of limited edition whiskys which are exclusive to travel retail.

LIWF flies in face of recession

The London International Wine Fair and Distil have attracted the second highest visitor audience in the events' 29 year history.

Blood quits as S&N's UK boss

Jeremy Blood, managing director of Scottish & Newcastle UK, has quit the job for "personal reasons".