Iron Side Cellars Launches Bourbon Barrel-Aged Red Blend

Posted on October 6, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Iron Side Cellars launched its first Bourbon Barrel-Aged Red Blend in stores this month. Made from premium grapes grown primarily in California’s Lake County AVA, the full-bodied red blend features Merlot and Petit Sirah and was aged in Kentucky Bourbon Barrels recently used by one of the bluegrass state’s most historic distilleries.

“Bourbon casks have been used to age and add complexity to other alcohols for many years, with Scotch and Rum being two primary examples,” says Iron Side Wine Director Brett Vankoski. “With the popularity of Bourbon whiskey continuing to accelerate, it was only a matter of time before the wine industry started experimenting with used Bourbon casks as well. The depth from the wood and sweetness from the Bourbon strikes just the right balance of bold fruit and oak flavor to ensure a smooth and luscious sip, every time.”

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Phillips Test Marketing a Vodka for the Freezer

Posted on October 6, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Cubist Freezer Vodka, the only vodka on the market that is specifically designed and distilled from start-to-finish to store in the freezer, is being test marketed in Minnesota and Arizona with an expanded launch in 2022, Phillips Distilling Co. said.

Consumer insights show vodka drinkers prefer vodka ice cold and many store it in their freezer to serve at the optimal temperature for refreshment. When Cubist™ Freezer Vodka is at its most perfect temperature – at or below zero degrees Celsius — an artfully-crafted bottle design using thermochromic ink technology turns the bottle label blue notifying the drinker it’s at its optimal temperature and ready to serve.

The bottle design is the result of more than a year’s worth of Phillips Distilling Company collaboration with CTI, the thermochromic ink technology experts.

“Until now, no spirits maker could make the claim that they produce a vodka with a commitment to cold throughout the entire process to preserve the integrity, purity and taste of its vodka,” said Jeff Twomey, Senior Brand Manager at Phillips Distilling  “Our fresh, bold and confident bottle design gives vodka drinkers a fun new way to get together and celebrate every day or milestone occasions with friends and family.”

According to Phillips Distilling Co. research, 75% of consumers believe Cubist™ is unique from other vodkas. Besides being specifically designed for the freezer and having a cold-activated bottle display when the vodka is perfectly chilled, Cubist™ Freezer Vodka™ is American vodka made with corn and distilled four times. The 750ML sleek bottle retails for $24.99.

Cubist™ is intended for 26-45 year old males and females who like to experiment with new vodka brands with friends at home or in premium cocktail/chef-driven on-premise accounts. The vodka is frequently served in popular drink recipes such as Chilled Vodka Sours, No-Ice Martinis and Cucumber Lemon Coolers.

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What We’re Reading —

Posted on October 6, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Great Grapes: Soil and climate have made the Great Lakes a top wine-producing area

Despite the American wine and grape industry’s association with California’s Napa Valley, the Great Lakes region boasts four of the top 10 wine producing states in the nation. (Great Lakes Now)

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Duckhorn Sales Surge 36% in Quarter

Posted on October 6, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Duckhorn Portfolio reports net sales in the fiscal fourth quarter, ended July 31, were $70.9 million, up 35.7% from year-earlier level.  Net income was $7.4 million, reversing a year-arlier loss of $2.7 million.

For the full year, sales rose 24.4% to $336.6 million, and net income nearly doubled, to $56 million, or 52 cents a share, from $32.4 million, or 32 cents a share, a year earlier.

“I am very pleased to report that we have exceeded our expectations, with a strong fourth quarter that caps off an exceptional year for Duckhorn,” commented Alex Ryan, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman. “Our brand equity, diversified omni-channel platform and highly flexible supply chain position us very well to capitalize on the heightened interest and demand for high-quality wine, all of which contributed to another period of robust sales and volume growth. Importantly, we continue to achieve profitable results in an environmentally sustainable manner.”

Duckhorn said its “Decoy and Duckhorn Vineyard winery brands outpaced the rest of the portfolio, and Wholesale-to-Distributor sales growth exceeded the growth of our California Direct-to-Retail and DTC channels. On a like-for-like basis, pricing changes were immaterial to our results” for the fourth quarter.

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ABI Mulls Sale of Some German Beer Brands

Posted on October 6, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Anheuser-Busch InBev is considering selling some German beer brands as new CEO Michel Doukeris implements its BBeyond Beer strategy, The Beyond Beer portfolio, which includes Mike’s Hard and Michelob Ultra Seltzer, grew by 45% as of the company’s most recent earnings call and is expected to continue growing by that amount through 2024.

The portfolio could be worth as much as $1 billion.

“We continuously assess our options to optimize our business and drive growth,” a spokesperson said.

Many of the brands were inherited from Interbrew, which merged with Brazilian beermaker Ambev in 2004 to form InBev — the company that later combined with Anheuser-Busch. While Germany is Europe’s largest brewer, producing about a quarter of beers originating from the continent, it exports less of the drink than both the Netherlands and Belgium, according to European Commission figures.

The sale of the German brands could also help reduce the company’s debt, a result of its $100-billion-plus takeover of SABMiller.  ABI’s shares are down almost 60% since its acquired SABMiller.

 

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Tenute del Mondo Acquires 50% Stake in Chateau Miraval

Posted on October 6, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Tenute del Mondo, the wine division of Stoli Group, today announced the purchase of 50% of Chateau Miraval, and the Miraval brand, from Angelina Jolie. Terms weren’t disclosed.

Tenute del Mondo is co-owner (with the Frescobaldi Family) of wines such as Masseto, Ornellaia, Luce, Castel Giocondo, and owner of Achaval Ferrer and Arínzano wines.

“Miraval complements our wine offering,” commented Jon Pepper, Master of Wine, Managing Director of Tenute del Mondo. “With the addition of a Rose of this caliber we are well positioned to meet the exquisite demands of both customers and partners alike.”

“We have long admired Miraval’s exceptional wines and brand. We are truly honored to do our part to uphold the integrity and commitment, as well as invest the time and passion, evidenced in both the Chateau and the Miraval brand,” commented Damian McKinney, Global CEO of Stoli Group. “We are thrilled to have a position alongside Brad Pitt as curators of their extraordinary vintages.”

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