PIZZA and BEER: UNITED in a GLASS
FEW THINGS IN LIFE go together as well as pizza and beer. But what if you could have a pizza-flavored beer? Chicago real estate broker Tom Seefurth accidentally invented pizza beer last year while practicing his home brewing. On a whim he added some tomatoes, oregano, garlic, and basil to... Read More
GOING GREENER DOWN UNDER
AUSTRALIA MAY BE SUFFERING from a severe drought but that hasn’t stopped the country from being proactive with its environmentally friendly wine packaging. Wine bottles are being replaced by milk cartons, aluminum cans shaped as bottles, tetra packs and soft sports-like packs. Demand from the northern hemisphere’s private sector is... Read More
I SMELL a RAT
THIS GIVES NEW DEFINITION to the term “critter wines”. While rats and wine do not, as a rule, go together that may all change with the recent release of Ratatouille Chardonnay. A licensing tie-in with the Pixar Animation Studios and the Walt Disney hit movie, the wine hit Costco stores... Read More
SIP and SAVOR in VIRGINIA
CALIFORNIA AND FRANCE has better watch out – Virginia has its sights set on becoming a major wine destination. travel + leisure has named Virginia one of the top five new wine destinations in the world. The state is the only American region featured in July’s “Wine-Lover’s Guide”, which highlighted... Read More
SOGGY VINEYARDS
RAIN KEEPS FALLING IN FRANCE. The torrential rain afflicting northern Europe has left French vineyards at risk of losing much of the 2OO7 vintage from rot and mildew, with Bordeaux one of the worst-hit regions standing to lose 9O% of its crop. According to the Bordeaux Met Office, six inches... Read More
THE WINE & SPIRITS WHOLESALERS OF AMERICA
CHRIS KENNEDY has been hired as the organization’s new Communications and Public Affairs Manager. In his new position, Kennedy will serve as the primary point of contact for all trade media inquiries directed to WSWA. Kennedy will also work closely with every department within WSWA’s office, focusing heavily on enlivening... Read More
MOET HENNESSY USA
GREG REES has been appointed Director of Marketing & Communications, National Accounts. Greg comes to Moet Hennessy after nine years as Marketing Manager at Olive Garden Restaurants.
CONSTELLATION BRANDS
ROB SANDS has been named Chief Executive Officer in addition to his existing responsibilities of President and COO. He takes over the position from his brother Richard Sands who will remain Chairman of the Board. Also, JOSE FERNANDEZ will be promoted to the new position of Chief Executive Officer for... Read More
DIAGEO
MAGGIE LAPCEWICH has been appointed as President, National Accounts. In this role, Lapcewich will lead Diageo North America’s beer, wine and spirits business with large national on- and off-premise customers. She has been with Diageo for 15 years serving in a variety of commercial roles, most recently as the General... Read More
The CURE for WHAT AILS YOU?
TEQUILA IS OFTEN USED as a cure for the blues but it may just have some genuine health benefits as well. According to researchers at the University of Guadalajara, blue agave can pass through stomach acids without being destroyed. The hope is that doctors will be able to use agave... Read More