In his new role, Vincent will work directly with France and Remy Cointreau USA’s spirit agency partners on the creation and execution of marketing strategies. He recently served as the Champagne International Director of Marketing at Remy Cointreau S.A. in France. You are unauthorized to view this page. Username Password Remember Me     Forgot … Continue reading “REMY COINTREAU USA NAMED VINCENT DUHEM AS VP, MARKETING”

The EU farm ministers finally reached a deal today (December 19) on reforming its wine policy. Of course, the parliament’s role is only consultative and governments can overrule the assembly on any of the amendments. Here’s what the farm ministers came up with:1. The EU will offer more cash to many countries, particularly Italy and … Continue reading “EU FARM MINISTERS (FINALLY) REACH A COMPROMISE”

Costco CEO Jim Sinegal, 71, made $3.2 million in 2007, according to a proxy statement filed yesterday with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Most chief executives made a median of $8.3 million in 2006, according to The Associated Press, but we don’t think he’s complaining too much. He owns Costco shares worth $165.11 million at … Continue reading “COSTCO CEO RAKES IN $3.2 MILLION”

The Family Winemakers of California filed an amicus curiae brief in the 7th Circuit Court of Appeal last week asking the court to sustain the U.S. District Court’s decision in Baude v. Heath. Last month, wholesalers appealed the District Court’s decision to strike down face-to-face requirements in August. The lower court said the face-to-face requirement … Continue reading “DIRECT SHIPPING PROPONENTS FILE AMICUS BRIEF IN INDIANA”

As WSD reported in the beginning of December, Bonny Doon will voluntarily label all wine ingredients on the back of the bottle beginning with the 2007 vintage white and 2006 vintage red wines. One section of the label will highlight the wine’s basic ingredients, such as grapes and sulfur dioxide, a preservative, found in the … Continue reading “BONNY DOON TO LABEL WINE INGREDIENTS”

The former president and co-owner of Domecq Importers Inc. of New York and Conneticut was sentenced to 10 years in prison for conspiring to commit tax fraud and to defraud Allied Domecq, the Department of Justice announced today. Michael Domecq, sentenced today in the U.S. District Court in Manhattan, will serve two consecutive 60 month … Continue reading “FORMER DOMECQ PRES. SENTENCED TO 10 YRS. IN PRISON”

An article in Reuters suggests tough financial times might actually be a good thing for the wine and spirits industry. Trading up activity from consumers with higher discretionary income coupled with people who are suffering from the credit crunch could ironically help give wine and spirits a final sales boost the last week before Christmas. … Continue reading “WINE AND SPIRITS UNCERTAIN THIS HOLIDAY SEASON”

EU farm ministers are still failing to see eye to eye. According to the AP, France staunchly defended many of the old practices the EU hopes to overturn, such as turning unwanted wine into industrial alcohol or biofuels, during today’s meeting. Proponents believe the old practices are too expensive or cause overproduction, which has hurt … Continue reading “EU WINE REFORMS CONTINUE TO STALL”

There’s an interesting article in National Restaurant News that touches on the growing influx of whiskey/whisky and its pros and cons. As Stephen Beaumont puts it: “There was a time when the world of whiskey, or whisky, as the Scots and Canadians spell it, was simple and straightforward…The downside of the whiskey market today is … Continue reading “HOW MORE WHISKEY HELPS THE ON-PREMISE”

In an important development, DISCUS has issued a new industry-wide buying guideline for placing online ads and marketing materials on third party websites to meet the industry’s 70% 21 years of age and older demographic standard. The guidelines go into effect Jan. 1, 2008.In all, the guidelines dictate which demographic measurement tools are appropriate, including … Continue reading “DISCUS ADOPTS NEW INTERET ADVERTISING GUIDELINES”

is launching an ad campaign from December 20 to January 4 on 10,000TouchTunes music systems nationwide. TouchTunes Corp. is the largest on-location interactive entertainment and marketing network, operating digital jukeboxes and digital entertainment systems. You are unauthorized to view this page. Username Password Remember Me     Forgot Password

The TTB is extending the comment period for Notice No. 78, Proposed Revision of American Viticultural Area Regulations, for an additional 60 days, and extending the comment period for Notice No. 77, Proposed Establishment of the Calistoga Viticultural Area, for an additional 90 days. Written comments on Notice Numbers 77 and 78 must now be … Continue reading “TTB EXTENDS COMMENT PERIOD FOR AVA PROPOSALS”

America’s other favorite con, Joe Francis, is in a tizzy over “Girls Gone Wine” winery, based in Broken Bow, Oklahoma. He says the small winery infringes on his tasteful “Girls Gone Wild” video empire, which features topless college girls and ultimately landed Francis in jail. The AP reports that an attorney for Mantra Films Inc. … Continue reading “SMALL WINERY IN OK “TAKES ADVANTAGE” OF JOE FRANCIS”

585 Wine Partners announced it has entered into an equity partnership with Quivira Vineyards in the production, marketing and distribution of Steelhead, a Dry Creek Valley brand introduced by Quivira in 2003. Steelhead becomes the newest addition to 585 Wine Partners’ brand portfolio which includes Red Truck Wines, Picket Fence Winery and the recently introduced … Continue reading “585 WINE PARTNERS FORMS J-V WITH QUIVIRA VINEYARDS”

is conducting a symposium February 27 entitled, Wine Retailing 2008: Change & Opportunity. It takes place in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California at the Kendall Jackson Wine Center. The symposium is mean to “address the needs and interests of retailers who sell direct.”Tickets are $200 per person until January 1. To learn more, click here. … Continue reading “THE SPECIALTY WINE RETAILERS”