Yesterday the EU approved an agreement on U.S. wine imports into the European wine market although Germany, Austria, Portugal and Lithuania opposed the decision. For starters Germany wants a “purity law” to protect Euro wines. The German Farm Minister Horst Seehofer has complaints against the U.S. practice of adding water to dilute alcohol content and … Continue reading “EU AND U.S. PASS WINE AGREEMENT”

After a 5-year boom ready-to-drink spirits, such as Smirnoff Ice and Bacardi Breezer, are seeing a decline in the UK along with Red Bull and Lucozade Sport energy drinks. In 2005-2009 slow growth is projected in the drinks market with wine expected to do best along with soft drinks. The beer sectors, especially dark beers, … Continue reading “RTD SPIRITS WITNESS DECLINE IN UK”

The annual Food from Britain Export Awards, held at The Savoy in London, awarded St. Peter’s Brewery with the Drinks Exporter of the Year title. “We have put a great amount of effort into exporting,” said Colin Cordy, managing director at St. Peter’s Brewery. St. Peter’s supplies its extensive stock of beers and ales to … Continue reading “ST. PETER’S BREWERY GAINS RECOGNITION”

After working together for 28 years, U.S. distributor Paterno Wines International and Italian wine producer Pio Cesare have agreed to part ways. Paterno claimed they were “proud” to have imported Pio Cesare, a premium wine from the Piedmont valley, into the United States and called the decision an “amicable separation.” You are unauthorized to view … Continue reading “PATERNO WINES AND PIO CESARE AGREE TO SEPARATE”

Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm passed a law to overturn out-of-state direct shipment bans yesterday and now allows all in-state and out-of-state wineries to send up to 1,500 cases a year to residents. However, the state attorney general believes it may not stand up in Michigan court. You are unauthorized to view this page. Username Password … Continue reading “MICHIGAN CEASES TO BAN NATIONAL WINE SHIPMENTS”

Vergelegen wines of Stellenbosch, South Africa won the 2005 New World Winery of the Year Award from Wine Enthusiast Magazine marking the first award for South African wines and the New York trading company 57 Main Street Imports. Main Street Imports are the exclusive U.S. importers of Vergelegen, and are “proud to represent Vergelegen, and … Continue reading “WINE ENTHUSIAST COMMENDS VERGELEGEN WINES”

93% of Coopers Brewery shareholders voted in favor of removing Lion Nathan’s pre-emptive share purchase rights today, dealing a serious blow to the Australian company’s acquisition plans. Coopers managing director Tim Cooper said, “We would not have thought there is merit pursuing us in further litigation. The shareholders are very happy for us to be … Continue reading “IT’S FINAL: COOPERS SHAREHOLDERS SAY NO”

According to Yves Benard, president of the trade group l’Union des Maisons de Champagne, Champagne sales are expected to rise by 1.5% in volume and 3% to 4% in value in 2005 on the previous year. YTD sales should be between 300m and 310 m bottles. You are unauthorized to view this page. Username Password … Continue reading “CHAMPAGNE SALES LOOKING GOOD”

Mark Sherrington, SABMiller’s marketing director, is set to leave the company after three years to pursue other ventures. A spokesman said, “The plans to find a successor are taking place and Mark intends to stay in place until a successor is found.” You are unauthorized to view this page. Username Password Remember Me     … Continue reading “SABMILLER LOSES MARKETING CHIEF”

As was widely expected, Fortune Brands reported a 59% drop in Q3 earnings with a stock that has risen almost 3 dollars a share. The decline resulted from the company’s one-time purchase of many spirit and wine brands, including Maker’s Mark bourbon, Sauza tequila and Courvoisier Cognac. Spirits and wine, led by Jim Beam bourbon, … Continue reading “FORTUNE’S Q3 EARNINGS.”

The wine industry’s innovative marketing and packaging techniques have helped boost sales to an impressive yearly rate of 8.4%. In 2004, wine sales were up 4.3% in retail stores, a percentage that more than doubled the 2% sales gained in the beer market. Consumers are now more willing to experiment with wine, a change fueled … Continue reading “BOX WINE MANIA”

It looks like France isn’t so different from the U.S. after all. The European country is facing a similar problem with their wine as compared to the United States beer market. While Americans are turning to wine and liquor as a substitute for beer, the Frenchies are increasingly replacing wine with beer and spirits. Ironic, … Continue reading “WINE DECLINE IN FRANCE”

The Australian group, Barokes, will soon give South Africans the option to drink wine out of a can. Their innovative, patented packaging offers “stability and longevity” and is meant to target younger generations who generally prefer canned beverages according to Greg Stokes, the inventor of Vinsafe technology along with Steve Barics. Barokes is currently in … Continue reading “CAN YOU CAN WINE? YOU CAN”

Yesterday, Vincor failed to accept Constellation’s bid of $26.45 per share made earlier this week. Constellation, however, refuses to increase their proposal. “There’s no reason to sweeten the bid,” says Richard Sands, Constellation’s CEO and chairman. He hasn’t heard of any other company interested in buying Vincor and believes they are “playing a dangerous game.” … Continue reading “CONSTELLATION STANDING FIRM ON VICOR”

A Commonwealth Court halted the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s order to ban direct wine shipments. The ruling was supposed to go into effect November 1 but was stopped when the Pennsylvania Wine Association requested a restraining order that was granted on Monday. State winery owners claim that barring shipments during the holiday sale season would … Continue reading “PENNSYLVANIA WINE BANS OUT THE WINDOW”