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■ A former wine distributor has been sentenced to 24 months in prison by a New York court after pleading guilty to stealing more than $500,000 from investors. Joseph Falcone, 60, told investors his ‘3G’s Vino LLC’ company would use the money to buy and distribute a wine product featured on TV show ‘ Shark Tank’. He must also pay $1.8m in restitution to seven investors.

■ New film Wine & War charts Lebanon’s winemaking history and the challenges faced by wineries during conflict and political instability at different points in the last few decades. Based on the book Wines of Lebanon by journalist Michael Karam, it can be downloaded from www.wineandwar.com. Proceeds go to the CAP-HO charity, which helps to provide care for children at St George hospital, Beirut.

■ Château Cos d’Estournel has put together 100 cases containing its vintages 2016, 2014, 2010, 2009, 2005 and 2003 to mark Michel Reybier’s 20 years as owner. Released from 20 October via Berry Bros & Rudd (UK), Millesima USA and Les Caves de Taillevent Paris, the retail price is set at £ 3,830 ($ 4,390 or €4,200), the estate said. Buyers also get an estate tour and lunch for four people.

■ A Silicon Valley company’s patent-pending technology offers to save distillers money by speeding up the maturation process to deliver specific flavours, colour and aromas, such those of barrel-aged whisk(e)y, in days rather than years. ‘ We’ve reimagined the process with... sustainable technology, using the same all-natural elements of wood, toast and char,’ said Martin Janousek of Bespoken Spirits.