The BI-PARTISAN BOURBON CAUCUS
When it comes to Bourbon and politics party lines seem to dissolve. US Representatives John Yarmuth and Brett Guthrie have formed the bipartisan Congressional Bourbon Caucus an officially recognized Congressional Member Organization. They will serve as co-chairs of the caucus. Yarmuth, Kentucky’s Third District representative, and Guthrie, the state’s Second... Read More
TASTE for the FINER THINGS LIVES ON
Slowly but surely consumers are beginning to open their wallets. According to a new survey by the IRI (Independent Research Institute) consumers are still cutting back but not as much as they were last fall. In fact, many shoppers are increasing their purchases on premium consumer brands overall. The latest... Read More
DIAGEO STIRS UP AN INVESTMENT
Massachusetts-based Stirrings established back in 1997 by local entrepreneurs Gil Maclean and Bill Creelman is now a Diageo brand. Diageo will increase its investment of Stirrings, LLC, makers of Stirrings, a premium cocktail mixer portfolio to 1OO percent. In 2OO7, Diageo made a 2O percent minority investment in Stirrings. As... Read More
MILLERCOORS has named RICK GOMEZ
as Vice President of the Coors family of brands. Gomez will be responsible for overseeing the overall brand strategy and positioning for Coors Light and Coors Banquet. Gomez comes to MillerCoors from PepsiCo Inc. where he most recently served as Vice President of Marketing for waters, enhanced waters and juices. ... Read More
CHUCK SMITH, Senior Vice President, Trade Relations, PERNOD RICARD USA,
retired on July 15. Chuck’s career in the beverage alcohol industry spanned 38 years starting in 1971 with the E&J Gallo Winery. He joined Remy Cointreau New York in 1991 as Executive Vice President of Sales and in 1999 joined Pernod Ricard as Senior Vice President of Sales for the... Read More
RAY CHADWICK of DIAGEO CHATEAU & ESTATE WINES
has been elected Wine Institute Chairman for the 2OO9 to 2O1O fiscal year at Wine Institute’s 75th Commemorative Annual Meeting of Members. Also elected were TOM KLEIN of Rodney Strong Vineyards in Healdsburg First Vice Chairman; DAVID KENT of the Wine Group headquartered in San Francisco, Second Vice Chairman; KATHLEEN... Read More
WILLIAM GRANT & SONS has appointed RONALD WALL
as its CFO with responsibility for the United States Canada and Mexico. In this role he will participate as a member of the Executive Team for North America. Wall joins the company from Diageo where he worked since 1995, most recently as Senior Vice President – US Spirits and National... Read More
BACARDI LIMITED has named JACQUES CROISETIÈRE
as the Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President. He succeeds RALPH MORERA who is retiring after almost twenty years with the company. Croisetière will join the company on August 3 and be based in the Bacardi Limited global headquarters in Hamilton Bermuda subject to approval by the Bermuda Department... Read More
WHAT’S YOUR WINE KNOWLEDGE?
Perhaps we’re not as wine savvy as we all think we are. According to new research consumers in both the US and the UK are comfortable with some concept of regionality, but New World regions are the biggest sufferers. The study was conducted by Wine Intelligence using the Vinitrac consumer... Read More
HELLO VINO!
How did the world ever get along without the iPhone and its apps? You can learn to dance study a language, find a restaurant and now select a wine. “Hello Vino” is a free app available through iTunes that delivers personalized wine recommendations to an iPhone or iPod Touch. The... Read More