Bronco Wine Company (owned by Fred Franzia) has released its latest $4.99 installment from the Santa Barbara County appellation, entitled Santa Barbara Landing. The brand coincides with Bronco’s Napa Valley appellation Napa River brand, which is also available at the same price. Both wines are available through Trader Joe’s.”We’re seeing the unraveling of the myth … Continue reading “FRED FRANZIA: “UNRAVELING OF THE MYTH.””

If someone were to ask which brand of champagne and sparkling wine you’d consider the most prestigious, what would you say? It may come somewhat as a surprise, but the Luxury Institute’s Luxury Brand Status Index (LBSI) survey of champagnes and sparkling wines named LVMH’s Dom Perignon as the clear winner.The brand ranked first overall, … Continue reading “WEALTHY CONSUMERS RANK TOP CHAMPAGNE BRANDS”

Australian drinks company Foster’s Group said Friday it can’t explain the recent rise in its share price following a query from the Australian Stock Exchange.”The company is not aware of any information concerning it that explains the recent trading in the company’s securities,” Foster’s said in a statement.Foster’s shares were up 4% Thursday and have … Continue reading “FOSTER’S GROUP, HAVEN’T A CLUE”

The EU’s Court of Justice ruled Thursday, November 23 that consumers must pay excise duties when they order alcohol or cigarettes from other EU countries.The court said “only products acquired and transported personally by private individuals are exempt from excise duty in the member state of importation.” The ruling is a setback for Internet companies … Continue reading “EXCISE DUTIES TO REMAIN IN THE EU”

Despite reports of an increased interest in white spirits, Patron Spirits Company has no immediate plans to acquire a gin brand in the near future.With the rum category already conquered, vodka is likely the next step for Patron.COO John McDonnell told WSD:“We have an ultra-premium rum, Pyrat, that is very successful and arguably the second … Continue reading “PATRON SPIRITS: “NO IMMEDIATE INTEREST IN GIN.””

Remy Cointreau (maker of Remy Martin cognac and Cointreau liqueur) announced plans last week to terminate its agreement with the Maxxium distribution joint-venture as of March 30, 2009, prompting shares to rise as much as 9% on Thanksgiving Day. Could the company be for sale?Maxxium Worldwide is a distribution joint venture that operates in 34 … Continue reading “REMY COINTREAU SAYS GOODBYE TO MAXXIUM J-V”

Constellation announced today that executive vp and cfo Tom Summer plans to retire in May of 2007. Summer, who has been CFO since 1997, said he was “looking forward to exploring a variety of new challenges and spending more time with my family.” He agreed to continue his position until May to help the company … Continue reading “CONSTELLATION’S CFO SET TO RETIRE”

The European Commission issued its strategy in dealing with alcohol abuse today, which has managed to keep a majority of trade bodies happy. The Commission recognized that member states have the right to regulate alcohol within their country, and did not include EU-wide legislation. The Commission reportedly plans to set up an Alcohol and Health … Continue reading “THE EU “REJECTS ATTEMPTS TO HIJACK” ITS ALCOHOL STRATEGY”

Charles Krug (owned by the Peter Mondavi family) is converting five of its seven Napa vineyards to meet organic requirements including eschewing pesticides, irradiation, bioengineering and man-made fertilizers, according to MSNBC. Three of its vineyards in the Yountville and St. Helena areas, totaling 250 acres, were certified by the California Certified Organic Farmers trade association … Continue reading “CHARLES KRUG GOES ORGANIC”

France’s National Appellations Institute (INAO) said it had proposed a law to allow the country’s Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) regions to ban or limit the use of oak wood chips in wine. Although the practice was approved by the European Commission, the INAO remains concerned that using oak chips may damage the quality of wine … Continue reading “FRENCH AUTHORITIES TO BAN OAK CHIPS”

WSD reported on Friday, Russian Standard Vodka filed a lawsuit last week against Pernod Ricard and Allied Domecq in a New York district court. Russian Standard accuses both companies of falsely advertising that Stoli comes from Russia (Pernod gained Stoli with the Allied Domecq acquisition.) While Pernod claims Stolichnaya is distilled and produced in Russia, … Continue reading “RUSSIAN STANDARD SUES PERNOD FOR “FALSE ADVERTISING””

North Bay’s largest commercial and wine-label printer, Renaissance Mark, closed its 76,000-sq-ft Napa plant, making room for competitors. Reports the North Bay Business Journal, Renaissance Mark closed the plant on September 29, causing 69 employees to lose their jobs as a result. The company is reportedly planning to shift its print work to Nevada and … Continue reading “NAPA LABEL PRINTER CLOSES SHOP”

Folio Fine Wine Partners (founded by Michael Mondavi) announced they have added Celler Vall Llach from the Priorat region of Spain to their portfolio.”We’re very excited to be representing Celler Vall Llach here in the U.S.,” said Rob Mondavi, co-founder and president of winegrowing, Folio Fine Wine Partners. “I’ve been obsessed with the wines from … Continue reading “FOLIO WINE ADDS LATEST BRAND”

Tennessee continues to face ongoing direct to consumer litigation after Rick Jelovsek filed a lawsuit in a federal District Court last week. Joined by the S.L. Thomas Family Winery, Rick is challenging Tennessee’s current law that prohibits the direct shipment of wine to consumers. According to local reports, the state tried to have the case … Continue reading “TENNESSE FACES ONGOING LITIGATION”

The Oregon Liquor Control Commission has overturned a prohibition on cents-off rebate coupons for malt beverages, wine and cider that takes effect November 1. The beer and wine industry petitioned the state after a February 2006 amendment that allows spirits companies to offer money-back-by-mail coupons for discounts that increase as more alcohol is purchased. Beer, … Continue reading “OREGON STATE TO GRANT MAIL-IN REBATES”