News & Notes

Strongbow Re-Ups With Patrick Stewart For Second Year

Strongbow Hard Cider will bring back Sir Patrick Stewart. The company announced recently that they and the actor have agreed to continue the television commercial series that stars the actor. These ads follow the brand's 2015 "All...

Santa Lucia Highlands AVA: A Strangely Effective Place to Grow Burgundy

A winemaking rarity exists about 100 miles south of San Francisco. Along coastal Monterey highlands, which can reach 1,200 feet in altitude, grow Burgundian varietals in a sunny, cool climate. The weather is that diverse...

E. & J. Gallo Winery Acquires U.S. Distribution Rights For Renato Ratti

E. & J. Gallo Winery (Gallo) announced today that it received exclusive rights to distribute Italy's Renato Ratti wines in the United States. This deal beginning immediately. Renato Ratti will join Allegrini, Poggio al Tesoro and Pieropan in Gallo's Luxury...

Interview: How The Macallan Markets to Millennials

What do Millennials know about scotch? Probably that their dad and grandfather drink it. But do they know the difference between a single malt and a blend? Islay versus a Speyside? Are all scotches smoky?...

Tasting: 2010 Brunello di Montalcino is a Vintage to Remember

The 2010 vintage was special for many Italian varietals. Perfect weather for wine growing helped along vineyards at every step of the harvest. No surprise, then, that this year yielded an especially high quality of Brunello di...

Irish Cream Looks to Expand Beyond Holiday Sales

All Irish cream brands face two truths. The first is that sales are by far the best around the winter holidays. The second is that the category contains a runaway leader: Bailey’s Irish Cream, the...

U.S. Government Renews Havana Club Trademark for Pernod Ricard; Court Battle Continues

The fight over Havana Club Rum took another turn this week, as the American government renewed the brand's trademark for Pernod Ricard. The renewal of the trademark registration in the United States is valid through January...

Devils Backbone Cran-Gose

Devils Backbone Brewing Company has introduced Cran-Gose, a tart cranberry ale (4% ABV) that launches the 2016 Daypack Series. Based on the traditional gose brewing style, Cran-Gose is light, fruity and pink-hued with a cranberry...

Peychaud’s Aperitivo

The Sazerac Company has launched Peychaud’s Aperitivo. Antoine Amedie Peychaud began producing his bitters in a New Orleans apothecary more than 150 years ago, eventually becoming the lead bartender of the Sazerac Coffeehouse, the company says, where...

Texas Spirit: Southern Champion Begins Distilling in the Lone Star State

New distilleries are popping up across the nation, as the craft movement expands from coast to coast, border to border. This includes Southern Champion of Texas. This distillery is the newest venture by Merrilee Kick, who is also...