NEW ZEALAND LEADS AN INVESTIGATION OF PERNOD

The New Zealand Commerce Commission is investigating Pernod Ricard’s takeover of Allied Domecq’s New Zealand wine operations and may deny them clearance. The French company bought Montana wines last year but agreed to sell off Lindauer, Aquila, Italiano and Chardon sparkling wines to get commission approval. Pernod has until July to sell the brands and if they fell to do so, the commission is threatening not to give them clearance to keep Montana.