Diageo is experiencing successful testing in the Tampa area for its ready-to-drink cocktails packaged in 12 oz. cans, according to Ad Age’s Jeremy Mullman. The four brands include Captain Morgan and Cola, Smirnoff Vodka and Lemon-Lime Soda, George Dickel Whiskey and Cola, and Seagram’s 7 and Lemon-Lime Soda, and are about 5% alcohol by volume. … Continue reading “DIAGEO’S SPIRITED RTDS”

Constellation Wines celebrated the grand opening of an expanded state-of-the-art crush facility at Blackstone Winery last Friday, August 25, which cost the company $9 million. The winery’s capacity has now been extended from 45,000 tons to 75,000, making it Monterey County’s largest winemaking facility and allowing all the production phases to stay at home. The … Continue reading “CONSTELLATION WINES EXPANDS BLACKSTONE WINERY”

Brown-Forman beat out other large players in the spirits category vying to purchase the Tequila Herradura business, which produces two of Mexico’s leading tequila brands. The $875 million acquisition puts B-F in a position to profit off the tequila craze after already gaining huge success with Jack Daniels whiskey and Southern Comfort. Last year tequila … Continue reading “BROWN-FORMAN DROPS A WHOPPING $875 MILLION”

When it comes to packaging innovation you hear a lot about the growing trends of boxed wine and screw caps, but what about the little guys? And I mean literally.Single-serve package sales are growing as well as improving in quality. They’re a quick, easy, no-fuss solution to drinking wine which is a highly attractive quality … Continue reading “SINGLE-SERVE WINES KISS SNOOTINESS GOODBYE”

How much are direct wine shipments actually helping wineries? The numbers are still hard to determine especially since not all wineries are taking full advantage of the direct sales channel, but experts at Wine Direct 2006 insist the potential is huge. According to winesandvines.com, most wineries are “blowing opportunities ever day” to build that part … Continue reading “WINE DIRECT PROMPTS WINERIES TO GET INTO ACTION”

Despite the wine industry problems that New Zealand’s neighbor Australia is experiencing, NZ is doing remarkably well. Expected to be a billion dollar industry by 2010, New Zealand has seen phenomenal growth in recent years as consumers become more aware of its presence in the wine aisles. In June alone NZ exports rose 18% in … Continue reading “INCREASING THREAT FROM NEW ZEALAND”

Flint, Michigan’s Tom Ryan Distributing Co. is planning to sell the wine distribution part of their operation to J. Lewis Cooper, based in Dearborn. The deal is expected to be completed by October 1 and may result in up to 12 employees losing their job.According to local newspapers, the wine division made up about 10% … Continue reading “TOM RYAN DISTRIBUTING LOSES WINE BUSINESS”

As our sister publication Beer Business Daily reported yesterday, senior beverage analyst Caroline Levy at UBS has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer of US Equity Research, effective immediately. As a longtime friend to the company, we are sad to see her go but wish her well in her new promotion.We’re also happy to report … Continue reading “PROMOTIONS AT UBS”

Diageo is planning to launch it super-premium Oronoco Rum in Miami and Las Vegas next month after gaining notable success since its launch in New York, LA and San Francisco last year. You are unauthorized to view this page. Username Password Remember Me     Forgot Password

Evan Williams Bourbon, flagship brand of Heaven Hill Distilleries, is upping its marketing and advertising this fall. As the second largest selling Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Evan is rolling out new retail displays and ads in Sports Illustrated, Playboy and FHM. The brand also plans to increase its sponsorship of BASS Elite Angler Jason Quinn, one … Continue reading “EVAN WILLIAMS UPS THE ANTE”

Rite Aid Corporation, the third U.S. drugstore chain, announced yesterday they will buy the Brooks and Eckerd drugstore chains from Canada’s Jean Coutu Inc. for about $2.6 billion. Just two years ago Jean Coutu purchased the Eckerd stores, leading them to become North America’s 4th largest drugstore chain, but scant resources prevented Eckerd from upgrading, … Continue reading “RITE AID TO BUY ECKERD”

Smirnoff’s “Tea Partay” rap video spoof on YouTube has the industry debating over whether it’s brilliant or less-than-perfect advertising. While the spot features three preppy, loafer-wearing guys in pastel rapping on a tennis court, it’s actually an ad for Smirnoff’s new malted Raw Tea. Some of the lines include: “No one’s harder than a New … Continue reading “SMIRNOFF PUSHES YOUTUBE AD”

Last week WSD did an interview with Kevin Moran highlighting how important influencers are in pushing brands on consumers. A portion of the interview focuses on the importance of educating wait-staff in order to increase wine recommendations, even doing something as simple as a table tent. Constellation is going a step beyond that by rolling … Continue reading “A TRAINING PROGRAM FOR WAIT-STAFF”

Pernod is set to rollout its latest installment to the Glenlivet family next month. Glenlivet Nàdurra (Gaelic for natural) was aged 16 years in bourbon casks and then bottled at natural cask strength to create a more concentrated whiskey. The brand will be available for $60 in a 750-ml bottle. You are unauthorized to view … Continue reading “PERNOD TO LAUNCH THE LATEST GLENLIVET”

Constellation has terminated the U.K. importer and wholesaler Western Wines, opting instead to move the brands in-house as early as October. Their brands include Kumala, Kim Crawford, Hogue Cellars, Inniskillin and Jackson-Triggs. Earlier this month Constellation had announced plans to restructure their bottling and distribution operations in the U.K. after acquiring the businesses from Vincor. … Continue reading “CONSTELLATION STAYING TRUE TO ITS WORD”