Former Owners Seek to Buy Back Wineries from Russians

Posted on March 17, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

Jean-François Ganevat, the cult Jura winemaker, and Benoit Pontenier, director of Prieuré Saint-Jean de Bébian in the Languedoc, have formed a joint company to buy back the estates from the Pumpyanskiy family of Russia, French media are reporting.

The move comes just six months after Ganevat had sold the estate to the Pumpvanskiy family, a move he thought would guarantee the safe future of the domaine.

The negotiations have not been concluded, and there’s no guarantee they will be.  But social media has had comments suggesting wines from Domaine Ganevat be boycotted because of their Russian connections and some retailers have removed the wines from their shelves.

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RNDC to Distribute Chopin Vodka

Posted on March 17, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

Chopin Imports Ltd. (CIL), the marketing company for the Chopin Vodka brand and other best-in-class spirits, said it signed a national distribution agreement with Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC). Chopin said the realignment allows Chopin Imports to offer its entire portfolio to the retail network through a single distributor.

The agreement will be fully effective on April 1, with dual representation between SGWS and RNDC during the transition period. In addition, Chopin Imports will continue to support its solid relationships with current distributors in other markets.

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Luxury Spirits Brands Grow 43% in Year

Posted on March 17, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

The 2021 growth rate was more than double the average 18 percent annual rate observed over the previous five years, the Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. said as it released its Luxury Brand Index.

“Faced with restaurant and travel restrictions brought on by the pandemic, consumers increased their purchases of luxury spirits to elevate their cocktail experiences at home,” said Christine LoCascio, DISCUS chief of public policy.

Tequila saw the biggest gains with 75% annual growth rate followed by American Whiskey and Cognac at 46% and 31%, respectively.  With the repeal of tariffs, Scotch Whisky rebounded with a strong 20% growth rate after showing losses during 2020. Irish Whiskey rose 9% while Japanese Whisky was nearly flat.  

Over the five years between 2016 and 2021, Cognac grew 19%, Tequila, 43%; American Whiskey, 48%; Scotch Whisky, 6%; Irish Whiskey, 13%; Japanese Whisky, 6%.

The LBI tracks the performance of spirits brands that have a 750ml retail price of $50 or more. Retail prices were calculated by IRI Worldwide using retail scanner data. Volumes were derived from DISCUS’ proprietary brand data.

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Consumers Want Brands to Stand for Ukraine: Survey

Posted on March 17, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

An overwhelming 80% of UK and 61% of U.S. consumers back businesses to halt the use of Russian goods and services in their supply chain, according to Zappi, a consumer insights platform. Over half of US (52%) and 67% of UK consumers say companies should call on politicians at home to do more about the invasion.

Some 69% of UK and 61% of US consumers surveyed believe brands should pull out advertisements in Russia; however, four of every 10 agree that advertising during these unprecedented times should reference the crisis.

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Barton 1792 Releases 2d Cask-Finished Bourbons

Posted on March 17, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

Barton 1792 Distillery is releasing its second collection of extended cask-finished bourbon whiskeys in the Thomas S. Moore line. This release is made up of four different expressions, including a Cognac, Madeira, Sherry and Merlot finished bourbon whiskeys and will begin arriving in stores in March 2022.

To create these whiskeys, Barton 1792’s signature high rye recipe bourbon was aged for five to six years in new charred oak barrels before filling other casks that previously matured various wines or spirits from around the world. These whiskeys are then left to age an additional one to four years. This extended cask-finishing method results in elegant whiskeys, each displaying a distinct flavor profile, reflecting nuances of both the bourbon and the finishing cask.

“This second Thomas S. Moore release really reinforces that the extended aging is quite significant,” Master Distiller Danny Kahn said. “What we are seeing are complex, fuller textures being developed. Savory flavors and aromas are unquestionably enhanced and continue to develop in the secondary cask in ways that are very different from the primary barrel aging. The result is an elevated, premium collection unlike any other.”

The cognac barrels Kahn used generally held cognac for six or more years previously. The merlot barrels came from premium wineries from the Napa and Sanoma areas. The sherry barrels were all oloroso sherry. A variety of different types of madeira barrels were used.

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Waashington State Launches Bilingual Farmer Ambassador Program

Posted on March 17, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

Washington State Wine Commission launches its first-ever farmer ambassador program, Breaking Ground. This bi-lingual storytelling series is the first of its kind, following 14 Washington-based vineyard farmers (like Rosanna Lugo and Jay Itote) from bud break to harvest. With the goal of amplifying the various voices of the Washington winegrowing community, the industry hopes to go beyond just celebrating winemakers and famed vineyards to putting a spotlight on voices that are often left unheard: those who directly grow the grapes that are the foundation of the industry.

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