Constellation Brands has vowed to defend itself against a lawsuit filed by Mexican brewer Grupo Modelo over the amount of funding both firms have given to their Crown Imports joint venture.

Anheuser-Busch InBev has made an early payment of US$3.7bn to further repay debt taken on to finance the formation of the brewer last year.

News that Grupo Modelo is suing Constellation Brands must raise questions about the two firms' ability to work together in the Crown Imports venture.

Shares in Punch Taverns fell by more than 3% today (16 December) as the UK's biggest pub firm said reported tough first quarter trading and a gloomy short-term outlook.

Heineken UK has cut its growth estimate for sales of long alcoholic drinks aimed at women.

The chief executive of Diageo has refused to rule out moving the drinks firm's headquarters away from the UK.

Belvédère, the troubled French drinks group, has suffered a setback in its recovery plan.

Jamba Inc has signed a deal to sell its Jamba Juice products throughout hospitality company Centerplate's convention centres and sports stadiums in the US.

Skinny Nutritional Corp has expanded distribution of its Skinny Water brand on the US West Coast with the appointment of five new distributors.

Anglo-Dutch drinks and food giant Unilever has confirmed the appointment of Jean-Marc Huet as chief financial officer.

Family-owned Australian winery Taylors Wines has transferred its New Zealand distribution to an independent wine agency.

Berry Bros & Rudd has appointed Inspirit Brands as the UK distributor for The King's Ginger liqueur.

PPN, based in France's Cognac region, has launched its non-alcoholic digestif Security Feel Better in the UK.

New Zealand's commercial wine grape growers have backed the continuation of a levy on wine grapes.

The Boston Beer Company has raised its earnings projection for the full-year.

Pernod Ricard's Chivas Regal 25 Year Old Scotch whisky has tightened its ties with the film world.

Coca-Cola Enterprises has appointed the vice-chairman of Fitch Group, Véronique Morali, as director.

Mexican brewer Grupo Modelo has filed a lawsuit against Constellation Brands over the two groups' beer joint venture in the US, Crown Imports.

Millions of litres of Italian wine may have been blended illegally, in a fresh fraud investigation that threatens to further damage Italy's standing on the world wine market.