For all you wine-loving fashionistas, Roberto Cavalli’s new line of wines, including blends of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Alicante Bouchet, will reach U.S. shores in the spring of 2008. Headed by his son Tommaso, the wines were all extracted from grapes grown in the family’s 70-acre Tenuta degli Dei in Tuscany. … Continue reading “ROBERTO CAVALLI ENTERS THE WINE BIZ”

Palm Management group, owner and operator of The Palm steakhouse, plans to open a more casual concept called Palm Bar and Grill. The restaurant will debut in a yet unnamed airport by the middle of next year. NRN reports that the secondary concept would feature lighter fare, quicker service and a lower price point than … Continue reading ““THE PALM” TO LAUNCH NEW CASUAL CONCEPT”

In one swoop, Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle vetoed almost all alcohol related provisions in the new state budget Friday (Oct. 26). One provision dealt with alcohol distribution while the other proposal would have allowed retailers to offer liquor samples.Gov. Doyle vetoed legislation last Friday (Oct. 26) that would have banned in-state and out-of-state wineries from … Continue reading “WISCONSIN GOV. GETS VETOE HAPPY”

Backed by price increases and new marketing campaigns, Fortune’s wine and spirits business helped offset the negative impact of the U.S. housing sector and is geared for the next quarter. Norm Wesley, chairman and chief of Fortune Brands, said that “as we enter the biggest [fourth] quarter, we feel good about the health of our … Continue reading “PRICE INCREASES AND STRONGER INVESTMENTS BOOST FORTUNE’S SPIRITS”

Much of the industry is up in arms over the new Robert Parker biography, as we reported earlier this week. If you are interest in more information, check out this great piece by the AFP. You are unauthorized to view this page. Username Password Remember Me     Forgot Password

Pernod says it will sell its Canei Wine brand to Baarsma Wine Group Holding, a wine distributor to the Benelux countries. Pernod Ricard Italia will continue the production of the Canei Wine for Baarsma Wine Group Holding (BWGH) in its production facility of Canelli, Italy. You are unauthorized to view this page. Username Password Remember … Continue reading “PERNOD TO SELL CANEI WINE BRAND”

Inertia Beverage Group named Kristi Taaffe to the new position of vp, marketing. Taaffe joins the group after most recently serving as director, consumer relationship marketing at Foster’s Wine Estates. There she managed all aspects of the company’s direct marketing, contact center and e-business division inside its Consumer Relationship Marketing department. You are unauthorized to … Continue reading “INERTIA BEVERAGE HIRES FORMER FOSTER’S DIRECTOR”

Oklahoma Rep. Don Armes is proposing new legislation to help the state’s fledgling wineries. His proposal would allow wineries to ship up to 10,000 gallons of wine either in or out-of-state per year directly to consumers. Currently, Oklahoma law prohibits wineries from shipping wine either within the state or out of the state without going … Continue reading “OKLAHOMA REP. AIMS TO LOOSEN WINE SHIPPING LAWS”

Imperial Brands, Inc., a U.S. subsidiary of Belvédère SA, named Brad Coughlin vp, sales director of wines. Prior to joining Imperial Brands, Inc., Coughlin served as vp, sales & marketing at Ironstone Vineyards for nearly 10 years. You are unauthorized to view this page. Username Password Remember Me     Forgot Password

LVMH-owned Krug is offering a new single-vineyard Champagne developed by former managing director and winemaker, Rémi and Henri Krug, and Henri’s son, Olivier Krug, who is the current managing director. The new wine, Clos d’Ambonnay 1995, has one of the highest-ever price tags of a newly released wine, currently estimated at $3,000 to $3,300 per … Continue reading “KRUG OFFERS NEW $3,000 CHAMPAGNE”

Based on NABCA data, Melissa Earlam of UBS reports that volumes declined by -0.9% in September despite relatively unchallenging year-on-year (yoy) comps of 3.3% in Sept. 2006. Volumes were up 4.9% in August from the previous year, while year-to-date case sales rose 3.2%, slightly below the 3.9% reported growth for the same period last year. … Continue reading “SPIRITS VOLUME DOWN -0.9% IN SEPTEMBER”

In today’s third quarter financial results, UST said net sales for Ste. Michelle Wine Estates increased 18.3% to $82.3 million as total premium case volume increased 12.6% to 1.2 million. Strong growth was driven by core brands, especially Chateau Ste. Michelle, as well as by last year’s acquisition of Erath and the recent acquisition of … Continue reading “NEW ACQUISITIONS GIVE UST A BOOST”

The FTC just won’t give it up. David Kesmodel at the Wall Street Journal is reporting that the FTC is attempting to disrupt the merger between Whole Foods and Wild Oats after the deal was already struck.In a strange twist, the agency is asking a Washington appellate court to review a federal-district court ruling in … Continue reading “FTC SEEKS TO DE-MERGE WHOLE FOODS AND WILD OATS”

A Michigan District Court Judge sided with the Specialty Wine Retailers in a preliminary ruling this week. In the case of Siesta Market v. Granholm, the judge sided with the plaintiff, represented by Alex Tanford and Robert Epstein, on the grounds that Granholm not only covers wineries, but retailers as well. “The Court will not … Continue reading “MICHIGAN JUDGE SIDES WITH OUT-OF-STATE RETAILERS”

Sean “Diddy” Combs (formerly “Puff Daddy”) has signed a multiyear deal to develop Diageo’s Ciroc vodka brand for a 50/50 share in the profits. Depending on how well the brand does, the agreement could be worth more than $100 million for Diddy.”It is not an endorsement deal,” Combs told the AP on Tuesday night. “This … Continue reading “SEAN “DIDDY” COMBS SIGNS WITH DIAGEO”