BOUNCING HAIL FROM BURGUNDY
FEW THINGS can destroy a crop quicker than a heavy hail storm, as winemakers in Burgundy have discovered the hard way. The region’s wine council, the BIVB, is currently overseeing trials of nets in vineyards as a way of defending vines from hailstorms. A handful of vineyards are working on... Read More
NEW AOC IN THE LANGUEDOC
THERE’S A NEW kid on the AOC block. French officials have approved Terrasses du Larzac in Languedoc-Roussillon as a standalone appellation. Formerly referred to as “Coteaux du Languedoc Terrasses du Larzac”, the new AOC spreads across 2OOO hectares of 6O wine producers and five cooperatives located west and north of... Read More
CONGRATULATIONS HARPOON BREWERY EMPLOYEES!
Harpoon Brewery, as of August 1, became an employee-owned company. The existing shareholder group transferred 48% of the company’s shares to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). “Employee ownership is the embodiment of what Harpoon stands for,” says its co-founder, Dan Kenary. “Our success as an independent craft brewer is... Read More
SUMMERTIME SENATE BUSY
WHO SAYS the Massachusetts Senate gets nothing done in the summer? They’ve been busy – bill has been passed to allow retail sale of alcoholic beverages at 1Oam on Sundays, two hours earlier than currently allowed! The House previously approved the bill, which goes to Governor Deval Patrick for his... Read More
EVERYONE HAS EYES FOR DRAMBUIE
DRAMBUIE CERTAINLY has its share of suitors at the moment. Currently for sale by the MacKinnon family, the liqueur has sparked interest in several drinks groups that wish to add the brand to their portfolios. William Grant & Sons, the family-owned business behind Glenfiddich and Grant’s, is examining a £1OOm... Read More
BEAM SUNTORY INC
The spirits company has named TIM HASSETT as President of its North America business. Hassett joins from Campbell Soup Company, where he served as President of the Away from Home Division and Chief Customer Officer, North America. Prior to joining Campbell’s, Hassett served in commercial and sales roles at Kellogg’s... Read More
MOLSON COORS
Peter Swinburn will retire as Chief Executive at the end of the year, and Mark Hunter, the company’s chief of European operations, will take over. The move comes weeks after Swinburn said he wouldn’t rule out acquiring SABMiller’s 58% stake in US joint venture MillerCoors if it became available. Hunter... Read More
VINE CONNECTIONS
Jim Sweeney has been appointed Vice President of Sales for the US importer of Argentine and Chilean wine and Japanese ginjo sake. With a background in sales management and marketing, Sweeney will oversee the sales team and brand ambassadors. He will also manage the national distributor network and create new... Read More
PAMA POMEGRANATE LIQUEUR
ARE YOU INDISPENSABLE – PAMA POMEGRANATE LIQUEUR’s Are You Indispensable competition is open to professional bartenders who submit recipes via shakestir.com/PAMA until December 3O. Six finalists will compete in New York City for a grand prize of $5OOO, a second place prize of $2OOO and a third place prize of... Read More
BEE ORIGINAL
BEE ORIGINAL – The fifth annual BÄRENJÄGER HONEY LIQUEUR Bee Original national bartending competition runs through September 12. Professional and amateur mixologists can submit original cocktail creations incorporating Bärenjäger Honey Liqueur, Honey & Bourbon, Honey & Tea, or Honey & Pear for a chance to win an all-expenses paid trip... Read More