Diageo has seen “some signs of recovery, albeit fragile in the mature markets” said chief Paul Walsh in a third quarter trading statement today. The third quarter ended March 31, with organic net sales up 12%. Meanwhile, organic sales for the nine months rose 2%. Recovery was “stronger in the emerging markets,” said Paul. That likely means that market conditions are slowly starting to improve in countries like the US.

The Kentucky Distillers’ Association filed a lawsuit against Sazerac Company in a U.S. District Court in Louisville, Kentucky on Monday. They’re accusing two of Sazerac’s distilleries, Buffalo Trace and Tom Moore, of trademark violation. The Association currently has four trademarks over the phrase “Kentucky Bourbon Trail,” which is used in logo designs and promotional materials.

Things are looking up for the wine industry in 2010-2011, according to Silicon Valley Bank’s annual State of the Wine Industry report, written by Rob McMillan, founder of the wine division. They are forecasting “improving conditions in the fine wine business” and believe the “trading down trend will end this year.” That’s like music to our ears.

Beer, wine and spirits suppliers are coming out in united opposition against HR 5034, or the CARE Act. Although it wasn

William Grant & Sons was the lucky winner of C&C Group

Things are starting to look up. Both Pernod Ricard and Fortune Brands said today in their earnings results that they’re seeing signs of improvement in the US – most notably at the on-premise. Declines in traffic and trading down at restaurants and bars have been a big drag on the industry but there’s light at the end of the tunnel. As a result, both companies plan to increase brand investment into the future.

California Congressman Mike Thompson held a tele-press conference today to discuss HR 5034, or the CARE Act, pushed by the National Beer Wholesalers Association. You might recall that Mike testified at the House Judiciary subcommittee on Courts and Competition Policy hearing in March, which dealt with similar issues as this legislation. Wholesalers say the CARE Act gives states ultimate authority in alcohol regulation (as long as it’s not facially discriminatory) and places the burden in litigation on the plaintiff. Wineries and other suppliers feel there is more sinister intent, and that wholesalers are only trying to protect their businesses and dismantle direct shipping.

The CARE Act, or HR 5034, has gotten a lot of flack over the past two weeks as wineries and other suppliers view it as an attempt by wholesalers to gain undue power over state alcohol regulations. The WSWA’s Craig Wolf issued a statement today asking members of Congress “to ignore inflammatory rhetoric which falsely characterizes the plain language, intent and purpose of the legislation.” He points to the recent letter signed by 40 state attorneys general asking Congress to “strongly support legislation that will bring to a stop the erosion of state alcohol laws by reinforcing the states’ ability to regulate alcohol as it sees fit.” He says the CARE Act is meant to do just that.

“We don

Like other wine and spirits companies, Remy Cointreau reported a much stronger fourth quarter compared to the rest of the fiscal year. During the quarter, Remy benefitted most from “strong growth” in China and South East Asia, while the United States “proved more resilient and there was a marked recovery in Europe.”

During an uncertain time for many wine producers, Ste. Michelle was a star performer in Altria

The wholesale beer industry converged on Washington DC for the NBWA’s Spring Legislative Conference on Sunday night. The Conference is a heated one, since there is some angst between brewers and distributors as the NBWA got their draft legislation (H.R. 5034) filed in the House of Representatives last week, a bill that hasn’t sat completely well with brewers. One brewery exec said he liked parts of the bill, and didn’t like other parts, which mirrors the feelings of other big brewers and small brewers.

That’s what Diageo cmo Andy Fennell said in a Premiumization Seminar held Friday. He describes the current economic environment as the

Yesterday afternoon, a draft of the House bill which had been floating around (pushed by the National Beer Wholesalers Association), H.R. 5034, was filed with the US House of Representatives. Here we give a rundown of the bill, called the CARE Act, and provide a link so you can check it out yourself.

“States should have the ability to craft legislation that reflects the concerns of that specific state and its citizenry,” said WSWA chief Craig Wolf in a statement today that addresses a number of new developments in the industry. The big question at hand is whether the 21st Amendment gives states absolute power in regulating alcohol.