L&L : shareholders’ duel
27 avril 2007
A conflict has been raging since the start of the year between the shareholders of L&L (producer of Alizé liqueur), the Lafragette family (49%) and its American partner the Kopf family (51%). Kopf wants to obtain all the shares. One of the two shareholders has denounced irregularities in the management of the company. An investigation has been started by the Limoges regional crime squad.

LVMH in good form
26 avril 2007
The LVMH share price rose by 1.86% on 25 April following the announcement of a 7% rise in sales in the first quarter of 2007, exceeding expectations. The wine and spirits branch (Moët and Hennessy) reached 689 million euros (+9%). However, LVMH has been suffering the effects of a strong euro.

Distilleries coming up to standard
25 avril 2007
In order to meet the HACCP norm (health quality) the major distilleries are having to invest. This is the case notably for the Distillerie Merlet at Chérac (Hypnotiq liqueur). This requirement is boosting the order book for CSEI (Angoulême), a company specialized in fitting epoxy resin floors, which has just finished a contract at the Camp Romain distillery at Saint-Sévère.

Rémy-Cointreau : 785 million euros turnover in 2006-2007
24 avril 2007
The Rémy-Cointreau group has recorded turnover of 785 million for fiscal 2006-2007 (+3.7%). The cognac sector increased by +12%.

Chill wind blows over cognac
23 avril 2007
Sales of cognac to America fell by 15.4% in the twelve months to March, by 10.6% in Europe and by 28% in France. On the other hand, sales in Asia rose by 42.9%. The fall is 2.8% on a worldwide scale.

Gosset launches Célébris
23 avril 2007
At the launch of the champagne Célébris blanc, J.-P. Cointreau did not make any comment about his appointment to replace his sister Béatrice at the head of Frapin and Gosset.

Unicognac installed
23 avril 2007
Unicognac (Syntéane) commenced operations a few days ago on its new bottling site in the activity park at St-Germain-de-Lusignan (Charente-Maritime) which will be inaugurated on 4 May.

Eaux-de-vie competition at Segonzac
23 avril 2007
The eaux-de-vie competition at the Segonzac agricultural show was of a very high standard this year. Recipients of awards included J.-C Saunier of Segonzac, N. Courtin from St-Preuil and O. Marcadier from Lignières-Sonneville. XO cognacs : gold for B. Gauthier from Malaville, silver for R. Blanleuil from Criteuil-la-Magdelaine and bronze for J. Denis from St-Preuil.

Cognac volumes in 2006
23 avril 2007
With 602,000 to 603,000 hl of pure alcohol distilled in the 2007 campaign, winegrowers in the cognac area produced the maximum amount possible (including the angels’ share) since the QNV maximum quota was 617,900 hl.

Bnic wants to boost consumption in France.
17 avril 2007
The Bnic professional trade organization is reported to have entrusted its public relations to the Greenwich agency in a bid “to change the consumption of cognac in France towards a more contemporary style and win back the French market”.