SEAGRAM STYMIED ON MERGER

CANADIAN liquor giant Seagram has lost its legal bid to prevent a merger between Stellenbosch Farmers Winery Group (SFW) and drinks-maker Distillers. Seagram made the application in Cape Town’s High Court on November 15, two days after SFW and Distillers sealed a merger that industry analysts said would hit Seagram’s market share. Between them SFW and Distillers control roughly 60% of South Africa’s wines and spirits market. – Reuters