Cognac, France

FRANCE'S centuries-old cognac houses are raising their bets on the US market with new products and campaigns to broaden the drink's appeal beyond its African-American stronghold.

The big four producers - LVMH Moet Hennessy, Remy Cointreau, Pernod Ricard and Beam Suntory - have turned more of their attention to the US following a drop in sales in China after an anti-graft campaign.