CALIFORNIA WINEMAKERS BRACE for SMALLER SUPPLY of GRAPES
AS CALIFORNIA’S WINEMAKERS begin the 2OO8 harvest, they are scrambling to find enough Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. After several years of bumper crops, Mother Nature turned fickle this year, offering up deep frosts, followed by hot weather and ultimately not enough rain. “This is one of the... Read More
Obituary: GIANNI MASCIARELLI
GIANNI MASCIARELLIpassed away on July 31 while on a business trip in Germany. He was 52 years old. Mr. Masciarelli was the premier winemaker/owner of Masciarelli vineyards in Abruzzo, Italy.Gianni inherited his passion for vineyards and wine from his grandfather, Giovanni. In 1978, he produced his first wines at times... Read More
FREDERICK WILDMAN AND SONS
PETER SHEEHAN has been appointed as Vice President, Director of Sales and Marketing for the company’s National Brands Division. In his new position, Sheehan will be responsible for the supervision of Sales Directors and Regional Managers based in four strategically-located markets – East, Midwest, South, and West/Southwest. He will also... Read More
HEINEKEN
JOHN NICOLSON is set to replace MASSIMO VON MUNSTER as Heineken Americas President as of October 1. Nicolson was formerly Managing Director for Eastern Europe, Asia and the U.S. for Scottish & Newcastle, which was bought by Heineken and Carlsberg earlier this year. Massimo von Munster had decided to leave... Read More
WHO SETS the BAR WHEN it COMES to COCKTAILS: DEMOCRATS or REPUBLICANS?
WHILE THERE IS NO BALLOT BOX at the bar, DC’s best bartenders can identify political preference by cocktail selection and bar behavior. According to a survey, Democrats are seen as better tippers, have better pick-up lines and give better toasts. Republicans heavily outweigh Democrats when it comes to ordering their... Read More
FIVE MILLIONTH CASE of SOUR APPLE PUCKER BOTTLED
DEKUYPE CELEBRATED THE BOTTLING of its five millionth case of DeKuyper Pucker Sour Apple as employees toasted this historic milestone at the DeKuyper plant in Cincinnati on August 12, with an Appletini, the iconic cocktail that helped lead to the success of Pucker Sour Apple. In the mid-199Os, the DeKuyper... Read More
EARLY TERMINATION of the DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT for V&S by FUTURE BRANDS
PERNOD RICARD ANNOUNCED the signing of an agreement with Fortune Brands for an early termination of the distribution by Future Brands of Vin & Sprit brands in the US, and in particular Absolut, effective October 1. The initial contractual term of the distribution agreement for V&S brands by Future Brands,... Read More
THE PATRÓN TEQUILA EXPRESS
Patrón’s fully-restored 1927 railcar pulled into Boston’s South Station for The Patrón Music in Motion tour, a national initiative benefiting charities in New Orleans. Patrón urged citizens of Boston to visit www.musicinmotiontour.com to create their own fundraising page to raise money for the St. Bernard Project and Preservation Hall. Those who raise... Read More
Burgundy’s Jean-Nicolas Meo
Burgundy is the hardest wine. The effort to understand it, however, can be more than worthwhile, for it can be the most ethereal of wines. The effort requires concentration and firsthand application. As I previous quoted in these pages, in February 2OO7, “buying Burgundy is not a spectator sport, but... Read More
Serious Chablis
It’s not always obvious because of our rush to embrace whatever is new, but sometimes the classics are really the best. For instance, if you’re looking for quintessential seafood wine that is bone dry, minerally and understated in flavor, there is little to compare with Chablis. Grown on the calcareous... Read More