Liquor Industry News/Links

9-27-14

By: Mark C Lenzi CSW,CSS,CWAS,QCE*

Liquor Industry Week In Review

Pabst Acquired By Eastern European Brewer Oasis Beverages For Reported $700 Million

Pabst Brewing Company has been sold by private equity owner Metropoulos & Co. to Oasis Beverages, a Cyprus-headquartered brewer with operations focused in Eastern Europe. The purchase price was undisclosed, but sources told the New York Times that the deal was above $700 million. Metropoulos had acquired Pabst-including the Pabst Blue Ribbon, Lone Star, Rainier, Ballantine IPA, Schlitz, Old Style, Stroh's and Old Milwaukee beer brands-from Kalmanovitz Charitable Foundation for around $250 million in 2010.

Oasis has global volume of 6.1 million hectoliters and claims to have a 12% share of the Moscow beer market. It also operates in Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Belarus. The company was founded in 2008 by Eugene Kashper, who began his career with Stroh's in 1994. Oasis's acquisition was backed by TSG Consumer Partners, which will retain a minority stake in Pabst as part of the deal.

"We intend to invest meaningfully in the organization, to continue strong marketing support for PBC's unique brands, and to drive new product innovations and renovations, such as the recent launch of Ballantine IPA," Kashper said.

Pabst's core Blue Ribbon brand has grown by more than one-third in the U.S. market since 2010, rising 7% to 35 million (2.25-gallon) cases last year, according to Impact Databank.

Wine Maker Changes at Groth

Cameron Parry, a veteran Napa Valley winemaker who was recently hired by Groth to succeed Weis

http://napavalleyregister.com/lifestyles/food-and-cooking/wine/changes-at-groth/article_fa2468c8-cdcc-55df-8e7f-eeea96084dbb.html

The Tito's Lawsuit: When Approval is Not Approval

Tito's vodka being sued for not being "handmade"

http://www.bevlaw.com/bevlog/vodka/the-titos-lawsuit-when-approval-is-not-approval

Tito's Founder Response To Lawsuit

http://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2014/09/titos-founder-hits-out-at-handmade-lawsuit/?article-source=newsletter&source=264&date=2014-09-24

Discover Your New Favorite Wine in Under 60 Seconds with Vinobly

New Wine App recommends wines from stores near you.

Look For Us On It Soon!

http://www.vinobly.com

THE WINE GRAPE FAMILY VINE

ALCOHOL SAFETY BAND PRAISED BY MICROSOFT

A bracelet designed by students that can detect levels of alcohol in someone's system and "check in" to ensure the wearer is conscious has been praised by Microsoft.

http://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2014/09/alcohol-safety-band-praised-by-microsoft/?article-source=newsletter&source=977&date=2014-09-22

How Important are Federal Excise Taxes to the Wine Industry?

The TTB, the federal agency that has primary jurisdiction over alcohol beverages in the U.S., is to collect federal excise taxes on alcohol beverages

http://www.winelawonreserve.com/2014/09/22/important-federal-excise-taxes-wine-industry/?utm_source=On+Reserve%3A+A+Wine+Law+Blog&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=1c3b28b85e-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_term=0_26d2f0b59f-1c3b28b85e-121923797

Minerality Lacks An Objective Meaning

One of the most perplexing words in common wine parlance: minerality.

http://princeofpinot.com/article/1570/

SOUTH AFRICA INTRODUCING WINE HOLOGRAMS

South African winemakers are adding holograms to their labels as wine fraud moves out of the top end and into the everyday.

http://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2014/09/south-africa-introducing-wine-holograms/?article-source=newsletter&source=978&date=2014-09-23

STARBUCKS TESTS BEER-FLAVOURED LATTE

Coffee giant Starbucks is developing a non-alcoholic latte that tastes like Guinness.

http://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2014/09/starbucks-tests-beer-flavoured-latte/?article-source=newsletter&source=978&date=2014-09-23

5 Countries That Produce The Best Wine

Several factors are considered to classify a place as conducive for wine-production.

http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/566893/20140919/countries-make-best-wine.htm#.VCGLJ0sVzOy

Cider Cocktails to Mix this Fall

You won't believe what mixologists are mixing with cider this season. Basil, bacon and ginger are some of the ingredients that will be popping up in fall cocktails.

http://www.chilledmagazine.com/Whats_Chilling_Right_Now-detail/cider-cocktails-to-mix-this-fall/

Low alcohol wines dogged by lack of awareness and poor quality perceptions

France and the USA are the most attractive markets for lower alcohol wines, although others show great potential, says a new report from Wine Intelligence.

http://www.harpers.co.uk/news/low-alcohol-wines-dogged-by-lack-of-awareness-and-poor-quality-perceptions/371804.article

Sangria Over Sit-Ups: How Wine Might Help You Replace Your Pesky Gym Membership

Some researchers even referred to red wine as "exercise in a bottle"

http://www.latinoshealth.com/articles/3160/20140922/sangria-over-sit-ups-how-wine-might-help-you-replace-your-pesky-gym-membership.htm

Farmers in the desert: the Horse Heaven Hills AVA

Home to some of the most important vineyard land in Washington State

http://palatepress.com/2014/09/wine/farmers-desert-horse-heaven-hills-ava/

Primitivo: A Gentle Giant

Nice review of Primitivo

http://intoxreport.com/2014/09/21/primitivo-a-gentle-giant/

Some Coca-Cola with your merlot? 5 Chinese wine myths debunked

Examine some of the myths that have grown up about wine drinking in China.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/22/world/asia/china-wine-myths/index.html

Good Vibrations in Your Wine Glass

Whether for marketing, to improve vine health or for sheer sensual appreciation, the links between sound and wine are growing.

http://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2014/09/good-vibrations-in-your-wine-glass

Update on Direct-to-Consumer Wine Shipping

Massachusetts could quickly become one of the top five states for wine sales and represent $70 million to $100 million in sales within a few years.

California Law and Wine: Ups and Downs

Crazy new law in CA requires sign below in stores

http://www.vinography.com/archives/2014/09/california_law_and_wine_ups_an.html

Do you prefer a glass of wine or a pint of bitter? 

The alcohol you choose is written in your genes, study finds

Genes influence intensity perceptions and whether we like certain drinks

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2766791/Do-prefer-glass-wine-pint-bitter-The-alcohol-choose-written-genes-study-finds.html

When Cigarettes Cost More, People Drink Less. Except For Wine

Published Wednesday in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, highlights the tie between the vices.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2014/09/24/351162283/when-cigarettes-cost-more-people-drink-less-except-for-wine

Who Harvests Your Grapes? You'd Be Surprised

It seems like a simple enough question.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/cathyhuyghe/2014/09/24/who-harvests-your-grapes-youd-be-surprised/

9 GREAT GIFTS FOR THE WINE LOVER WHO HAS EVERYTHING

Gadgets for wine lovers

http://vinepair.com/wine-blog/9-great-gifts-wine-lover-everything/?utm_source=The+Drop+by+VinePair&utm_campaign=e6dcc17f74-The_Drop_9_24&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b653fb8c99-e6dcc17f74-38937345

THE ONLY INTRODUCTION YOU NEED TO WINE FROM WASHINGTON STATE

Washington is the second-largest producer of wine in the country,

http://vinepair.com/wine-blog/introduction-need-wine-washington-state/

MEAD: A PERFECT FALL DRINK

All about Mead

http://vinepair.com/wine-blog/mead-perfect-fall-drink/?utm_source=The+Drop+by+VinePair&utm_campaign=e6dcc17f74-The_Drop_9_24&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b653fb8c99-e6dcc17f74-38937345

What's behind 'natural wine'?

No consumer would ignore a natural product for an unnatural one, and that distinction is at the heart of a huge wine controversy that, chances are, you haven't heard about.

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/opinion/2860828-181/berger-whats-behind-natural-wine

Privateer Rum News

Massachusetts-based Privateer Rum has expanded its distillery to 18,000 square feet, tripling its production capacity to about 300 barrels (6,700 cases) of rum annually. The Boston-area distiller, led by founder and president Andrew Cabot-namesake and direct descendant of the 16th-century patriot, privateer and rum-maker-produces two rum offerings: best-seller Silver Reserve, which is 80 proof and retails at $27 a bottle; and True American Amber, which is 90 proof and retails at $34. Privateer's rums are currently distributed in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Colorado, California, Rhode Island and Washington, D.C.

JACK DANIEL'S RYE TO MAKE DEBUT NEXT YEAR

The Lynchburg, Tennessee-based distillery has been resting a charcoal-mellowed rye whiskey in new American oak barrels for the past two years, marking the first time since before Prohibition that Jack Daniel's has experimented with a different mash bill.

Manischewitz: The Great Story of a Not-So-Great Wine

The story of Manischewitz is as intriguing as the wine isn't

http://modernfarmer.com/2014/09/manischewitz-great-story-great-wine/

What kind of wine/alcohol should you cook with?

If you don't enjoy taking a sip of it, you probably won't enjoy chewing food that has been infused with it http://spartaindependent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20140925/EXPERTS11/140509998/-1/EXPERTS/What-kind-of-wine/alcohol-should-you-cook-with#sthash.L1VFoVbV.dpuf

Foxboro MA to decide on liquor licenses at town meeting

t's only an eight-article town warrant, but it could pack an 80-proof buzz of debate.

http://www.thesunchronicle.com/news/local_news/foxboro-to-decide-on-liquor-licenses-at-town-meeting/article_b9aaacc2-41cb-5a01-9450-bb396bf4a084.html

ALCOHOL CAN LOWER RISK OF HEART ATTACKS

Moderate alcohol consumption, as part of a healthy lifestyle, could help prevent four out of five heart attacks in men, according to a recent study.

http://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2014/09/alcohol-can-lower-risk-of-heart-attacks/

GYM-GOERS DRINK MORE

A new US study has found a link between exercise and how much we drink, suggesting one could well follow the other.

http://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2014/09/do-you-hit-the-gym-then-hit-the-pub/

New video series on California wine regions

In honor of California Wine Month 2014, the San Francisco Wine School has produced a series of videos on California wine regions featuring Founder & CEO David Glancy, MS.

http://napavalleyregister.com/star/business/new-video-series-on-california-wine-regions/article_15df5249-e806-53bc-aeb0-c0b25bdcb7be.html

More Smirnoff Vodka Flavors

Diageo's Smirnoff vodka has extended its flavor stable with the addition of its new Smirnoff Sours range. The lineup, which features Green Apple, Watermelon and Fruit Punch expressions, is targeted toward the shot occasion and priced at $15.99 a 750-ml. The Sours launch will be supported by digital advertising, point-of-sale and on-premise initiatives. Smirnoff Sours brings Smirnoff's flavor range-which also includes the brand's recently-launched Sorbet Light lineup-to a total of 39 entries. The largest vodka brand in the U.S., Smirnoff was down 0.2% last year to 9.7 million cases, according to Impact Databank.

Rogue Craft Beer News

Oregon's Rogue Ales & Spirits is launching two new craft ciders this fall. The first, Fruit Salad Cider, is a mix of cherries and plums from Rogue's Tygh Valley, Oregon farm, blended with Oregon-sourced apples, peaches, marionberries, pears and apricots. The second, 7 Hop Cider, is an apple cider that is dry-hopped with seven varieties of hops from Rogue's Independence, Oregon farm. Both ciders will debut in 22-ounce bottles and on draft in December. Meanwhile, Rogue has re-launched its Rogue Farms Wet Hop Ale, a returning limited edition entry. Made with fresh Freedom and Yaquina hops sourced from the Independence farm, Wet Hop Ale-available on draft-is produced within a short timeframe, with the hops harvested, transported to the Rogue Brewery and brewed in a little over two hours.

The Big Secret About Pinot

Time to get to the bottom of the story of Pinot, an ancient grape that has boggled us for centuries.

http://winefolly.com/review/big-secret-pinot/?utm_source=Wine+Folly&utm_campaign=4fef2efa50-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_a18d8bdc1b-4fef2efa50-62472929&mc_cid=4fef2efa50&mc_eid=d73340fcba

Flavor Profiles of Red Wines

The History of Sulfite Use in Wine

Consumers are constantly complaining about the sulfites in wine

http://www.academicwino.com/2014/09/history-sulfite-use-wine.html/

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Looking For Wine Maps?

The best wine maps in the business!!

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De Long's Wine Grape Varietal Table

http://www.delongwine.com/products/wine-grape-varietal-table#oid=1017_3