In Brief

27 August, 2008
Page 6 
l Laphroaig the Islay Scotch whisky brand is to run a virtual tasting and debate on the web. Running for 40 minutes, Laphroaig Live takes place on November 21 at 20.00 (GMT). It will feature Whisky Bible author, Jim Murray and master blender, Robert Hicks.

l Diageo is test marketing premixed bottles of marg arita cocktails made with Jose Cuervo that it sells in the US market in British retailers Asda and Tesco. The mixes are being sold in 450 stores and are aimed at women aged 25 - 44 years old .

l Swedish cider producer Kopparberg has launched a cider flavoured with mixed fruit and a non-alcoholic pear cider on to the UK market. The mixed fruit drink will be available in 50cl bottles with an abv of 4 per cent. The company said it expected the launches to help the UK take over from Ireland as its biggest export market in 2008.

l LVMH said it achieved organic revenue growth in wines and spirits of 14 per cent to just over E2 billion in the first nine months of 2007. Cognac and Champagne volumes increased by 11 per cent and 8 per cent respectively. New World wines saw double-digit growth in all markets.

l ShotPak, the California-based producer of the St r8up range of ready-to-drink shot products, says it has signed a letter of intent with "one of the largest alcohol importers in India" to sell the company's products. The deal came soon after ShotPak entered into a separate deal to take it into the South Korean market.