Allied Domecq, the international drinks group, has said its sales for the first four months of the financial year are in line with expectations.

Its premium wine portfolio is on track to meet targets and to deliver profits.

It also reported that its US market was the key driver of profit growth across spirits and wine, and the overall wine volume growth in Canada has been held back in part by the Liquor Board strike in Quebec.

Philip Bowman, chief executive of Allied Domecq, said: “Looking at the Group as a whole, in the first four months of the year we have continued to generate value, profit growth and strong cash flow in spite of tough business conditions.”