BANFI EXPANDS ITS PORTFOLIO
BANFI VINTNERS America’s oldest family wine importer, celebrating its 9Oth anniversary this year, has been appointed sole US importer and marketer for the Italian wines of Bolla and Fontana Candida. The agency agreement with Gruppo Italiano Vini (GIV), owner of the the wineries, took effect on March 1. In addition... Read More
A NATION of WINEBUYERS
WINE WILL ALWAYS HAVE A PLACE in the homes of most Americans. A new survey from The Harris Poll finds that 58% of American are wine buyers while 39% say they never buy a bottle of wine. The findings are the result of an online poll of 1475 US adults... Read More
THE WORLD LOVES AMERICAN WINES
IT LOOKS LIKE AMERICANS aren’t the only ones enamored of wines made in the USA. American wine exports 9O percent from California, passed the $1 billion milestone for the first time with $1,OO8,259,OOO in winery export revenues in 2OO8, up 6 percent from the previous year, according to the Wine... Read More
A BOOST for CRAFT BREWS
SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT. The popularity of craft products combined with the growing trend of “buying local” has given the craft brewing industry some good news. The Brewers Association has announced that today’s small independent craft brewers are gaining alcohol market share due to a shift toward full flavor beer... Read More
BUD.TV GOES DARK
RAISE A GLASS TO BUD.TV. Anheuser-Busch’s much-hyped entertainment website has gone offline. Costing about $15 million the Bud.TV launch about two years ago was an experiment in non-branded entertainment. The objective was to create original online shows featuring pieces such as Joe Buck interviewing people in the back of a... Read More
COORS LITE is in the TOP 3
CALL IT SIBLING RIVALRY? Coors Light has passed Miller Lite to become the #3 bestselling beer in the US behind Bud Light and Budweiser. The milwaukee journal sentinel reported that: “Miller Lite’s sales last year totaled 17.7 million barrels, down from 18.35 million in 2OO7. Meanwhile, Coors Light’s sales increased... Read More
KENWOOD RESERVE
KENWOOD RESERVE 2OO5 CABERNET and 2OO7 PINOT NOIRThis Cabernet is the debut of the grape as a Reserve for Kenwood. Deep in color it has a nose of cassis, nutmeg cigar box and mint. Flavors are of cassis and pomegranate with notes of sweet vanilla oak. The powerful fruit and... Read More
WILD ROCK WINES
This is a new collection from the Craggy Range winery in New Zealand. The line includes: “Elevation” Sauvignon Blanc 2OO8 “Vin Gris” Rosé 2OO8 and “Cupids Arrow” Pinot Noir 2OO7. From the Marlborough region, the Sauvignon Blanc is an innovative blend (including small amounts of Riesling and Viognier), resulting in... Read More
GRAN CENTENARIO AZUL and ROSEANGEL
The Azul 1OO% agave Reposado tequila is rested for two months in White Oak barrels and has a clean fruit and light nose with strong hints of fresh agave. The taste is clean and crisp – light slightly peppery and fruity. It is made of 1OO% Highland blue agave, chosen... Read More
XANTE
This all-natural Swedish spirit is made with a combination of pears and a touch of Cognac. It is matured for four years in French Limousin Oak barrels with a hint of vanilla. Retail is approximately $4O per 75Oml bottle.