Leading Belgian Wine Merchant Buys Competitor

Leading Belgian spirits and wine merchant Cinoco bought its competitor, le Palais du Vin. The management team at Le Palais du Vin will remain in place for the time being. The deal doubles Cinoco’s turnover to 40 millions euro. Le Palais du Vin was founded in 1923 and until now under French control. Cinoco is controlled by the Belgian family that founded the company, but 35 percent of the shares are also in French hand (25% by French spirits distributor Marie Brisard and 10% by French Champagne producer Bollinger). Cinoco is the Belgian distributor of, amongst others, Bollinger, Fonseca, Marchesi di Barolo and Jacquart.