Foster's Group, the Australian beverage company most famous for its Foster's Lager, has announced that the sale process for its global wine clubs and services division is underway.

With net sales of A$538m in 2006, analysts value the clubs and services business at somewhere between A$340m and A$400m. 

Foster's is currently split into four operating divisions, of which the wine clubs and services is the least profitable, having recorded a decline in earnings of 10.7 per cent for the last financial year together with a fall in sales volume of 8.9 per cent. 

The division operates clubs and services in Australia, the USA, Europe and Asia, including Mad About Wine in the UK. Foster's announced its intention to sell in August, as it seeks to focus more on premium alcoholic beverages.