Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract]
Sales	$ 1,782,602	$ 1,573,702	$ 1,532,352
Excise taxes	(905,015)	(862,165)	(842,938)
Net sales	877,587	711,537	689,414
Cost of goods sold	538,218	383,671	340,482
Gross profit	339,369	327,866	348,932
Selling, general and administrative expenses	270,731	219,609	192,763
Consideration true-up	0	0	15,000
Gain on remeasurement of previously held equity interests	(7,898)	0	(63,605)
Impairment charge	1,057,819	131,849	20,309
Operating income / (loss)	(981,283)	(23,592)	184,465
Non operating income / (expense), net
Interest income / (expense), net	(111,649)	(104,866)	(73,468)
Other financial income / (expense), net	(139,952)	6,773	25,193
Amortization of deferred charges	0	0	(38,501)
Other non operating income / (expense), net	(17,913)	(13,572)	(934)
Income / (loss) before taxes and equity in net income from unconsolidated investments	(1,250,797)	(135,257)	96,755
Income tax benefit /(expense)	(32,205)	28,114	(18,495)
Equity in net income / (losses) of affiliates	(8,814)	14,254	(5,583)
Income / (loss) from continuing operations	(1,291,816)	(92,889)	72,677
Discontinued operations
Income / (loss) from operations	0	(11,815)	9,410
Income tax benefit / (expense)	0	37	(1,050)
Income / (loss) on discontinued operations	0	(11,778)	8,360
Net income / (loss)	(1,291,816)	(104,667)	81,037
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	0	0	2,708
Net income / (loss) attributable to CEDC	$ (1,291,816)	$ (104,667)	$ 78,329
Income / (loss) from continuing operations per share of common stock, basic	$ (17.90)	$ (1.32)	$ 1.35
Income / (loss) from discontinued operations per share of common stock, basic	$ 0.00	$ (0.17)	$ 0.16
Net income / (loss) from operations per share of common stock, basic	$ (17.90)	$ (1.49)	$ 1.51
Income / (loss) from continuing operations per share of common stock, diluted	$ (17.90)	$ (1.32)	$ 1.35
Income / (loss) from discontinued operations per share of common stock, diluted	$ 0.00	$ (0.17)	$ 0.15
Net income / (loss) from operations per share of common stock, diluted	$ (17.90)	$ (1.49)	$ 1.50