01/04/2011 (Agence Europe) - Mergers: Suntory/Castel/GMdF/Savour MAAF subsidiaries. On Friday 1 April 2011, the European Commission cleared the planned acquisition by Suntory (a Japanese drinks company) and Castel (a French company) of joint control of Grands Millésimes de France as well as the simultaneous acquisition by Castel of sole control of Savour Club (a retail outlet for wines and spirits) and MAAF subsidiaries active in the French wine industry. All target companies are owned by French company Covéa. The transactions will mainly impact on the production and commercialisation of Bordeaux wines in France where Suntory, Castel, GMdF and MAAF subsidiaries are all present. The Commission points out, however, that as the increment arising from this transaction is rather insignificant, the deal does not raise competition concerns. (F.G./transl.fl)