Smirnoff is the most powerful brand of all wines and spirits in the world, according to a new report.

SITESERV, the construction services group, has appointed Kevin Gallen as chief financial officer.

DRINKS distributor Edward Dillon & Co recorded a further fall in annual profits in 2005, the company’s latest accounts show.

DRINKS distributor Edward Dillon saw profits fall heavily in its last financial year, according to accounts just filed at the Companies Registration Office.

THE world’s largest wine company, Constellation Brands, said yesterday it was considering a possible counter bid for Allied Domecq , which agreed to be taken over by Pernod Ricard last week.

A bid battle for Allied Domecq was brewing today after the world’s biggest winemaker confirmed it was considering a rival offer.

The world’s largest winemaker is in talks that could see it gatecrash the £7.4bn (€10.8bn) takeover of drinks group Allied Domecq, it was reported today.

C&C is unlikely to make a play for Scottish whisky maker Glenmorangie which has come on the market with a stg£220m plus (€330m) price tag.

Bacardi has agreed to purchase Grey Goose vodka from Sidney Frank Importing for about £1bn (€1.5bn), adding another well-known brand of alcohol to its menu, which includes Dewar’s scotch and Bombay Sapphire gin.

BAILEYS today launches a new look for its cream liqueur bottle more in keeping with the modern Irish image.

Bacardi Ltd, the world’s biggest rum maker, asked a Washington court to give it the right to sell Havana Club rum in the US, the latest step in a decade-long battle with the Cuban government and Pernod Ricard SA for control of the brand.

Drinks giant Allied Domecq has held secret merger talks with privately-owned rum distiller Bacardi about a deal which would value the combined group at around £10bn, according to reports today.