Standard&Poor's Ratings Services' ratings on Victor, N.Y.-based Constellation Brands Inc. reflect our "satisfactory" business risk profile assessment (as our criteria define the term), which benefits from the company's historically strong cash generation from a diverse portfolio of consumer brands, and our "significant" financial risk profile assessment, characterized by the company's more-disciplined financial policy. This is despite its participation in the highly competitive beverage alcohol markets and the company's high debt levels. Constellation Brands is a producer and marketer of beverage alcohol. The company is a leading premium wine company with good market positions in each of its core markets, which include the U.S., Canada, and New Zealand. It also participates in the spirits and imported beer segments (beer
