Sunscreen on grapes. Toilet water that is treated and used for irrigation. Napa Valley winemakers are taking extreme steps in the face of climate change. Read the New York Times article here.
Read the North Bay Business Journal report here.
SweetWater Brewing Co., LLC launched 420 Imperial IPA – the first line extension off of its flagship 420 brand.
“Our 420 Extra Pale Ale has been on the Mount Rushmore of craft beer for 24 years,” said Brian Miesieski, Chief Marketing Officer at SweetWater. “We are taking things to a whole new level by bringing a new style to one of the most well-known names in beer – our 420 brand. This heady new brew leverages one of the most coveted innuendos and bar calls in craft, but delivers a new bigger, bolder IPA style that’s right in the wheelhouse of our brewers.”
With an ABV of 9.1%, it has a higher ABV than the standard Imperial IPA.
“We took the original base recipe from our 420 Extra Pale Ale, then dialed it up with more malt and hop varieties to deliver bigger, bolder flavor and flip it to an IPA,” said Brew Master Mark Medlin. “This true-to-style imperial IPA has a malty sweetness balanced with a variety of hops to create flavor and aromas of mango, peach, pineapple, citrus, and pine. While the flavor journey is much more intense, 420 Imperial IPA still finishes clean just like its namesake.”
420 Imperial IPA is inspired by 420 and embraces the SweetWater motto of Don’t Float the Mainstream! The vibrant imperial red branding of the cans adds a distinct, 420-inspired feel to SweetWater’s first true 420 line extension – and a big, bold addition to the portfolio.
This launch comes in tandem with another hard-hitting brew now available as a new limited release from SweetWater’s Dank Tank series. The 710 Hazy Double IPA is a 7.5% ABV, hazy, double-dry-hopped IPA the company says brings the “freshiest” of fresh flavors and a unique blend of hop terpenes. The Dank Tank is where SweetWater’s brewers go to play, with no rhyme or reason and the only requirement is that it be tasty, hoppy, and heady.
SweetWater’s 420 Imperial IPA will be available year-round on draft, 6 pack and 12 pack 12-ounce cans, as well as 19.2-ounce cans and can be found across the U.S. in restaurants, bars, and stores .
Ramón Bilbao launches its first U.S. public relations campaign and the appointment of Teuwen Communications as the wine brand’s U.S. agency of record. Founded by its namesake in 1924 in Haro, Spain, the heart of Rioja, the winery has played a pioneering role in the development of the DOCa.
Ramón Bilbao owns 445 acres of estate vineyards tends an additional 2,224 acres in top-quality growing areas of Rioja. Head Winemaker and Managing Director, Rodolfo Bastida, has led the team to produce fresh and modern styles of Rioja wines with a deep commitment to terroir, site-specific vineyards and the pursuit of innovation. Along with Bastida, the winemaking team includes Rosana Lisa, Innovation Manager and Technical Director, and Sara Bañuelos, Winemaker for the brand’s Rueda winery.
The US campaign will focus on the Ramón Bilbao Rioja wines currently in the market as well as Ramón Bilbao Albariño from Rías Baixas. In addition to the classic Rioja trilogy (Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva) and a Garnacha/Viura blend rosé, Ramón Bilbao offerings include Mirto, a limited production old-vine 100% Tempranillo aged in French oak and only produced in the best years, and Limited Edition, the “second wine” of Mirto. Named one of ‘The World’s Most Admired Wine Brands” in 2021 for the third year in row by Drinks International, Ramón Bilbao is Spain’s leading on-premise Rioja brand and the number one appellation wine brand in value in that market (Nielsen Spain).
Embracing the adventurous spirit of its founder and expanding the winery’s offering beyond the classic Rioja categories, Ramón Bilbao has launched the Lalomba collection of single-vineyard wines. The Lalomba wines highlight the brand’s devotion to terroir in Rioja and will be arriving on US shores next year.
Sustainability is also at the heart of the winery’s philosophy. Certified by the Wineries for Climate Protection organization, which has 24 member-producers in Spain, Ramón Bilbao has already reached its target in the four basic pillars of sustainability: reduction of greenhouse gases, energy efficiency, water management and reduction of waste. The winery is committed to continued strides in all areas.
Bastida commented, “The US is a key market for Ramon Bilbao. We hope our wines will inspire American wine lovers to further their exploration of Rioja and Spain or embark on a totally new wine journey.”
It will hit the shelves in late July and comes in four flavors: Blueberry Watermelon, Kiwi Watermelon, Passionfruit Watermelon and Mango Watermelon., the brand says.
“Vizzy continues to bring the most desired flavor profiles to our hard seltzer drinkers,” said Vi Tran, marketing manager for Vizzy Hard Seltzer at Molson Coors Beverage Co. “Fans saw this first with the incredible success of our Lemonade variety pack earlier this summer, and now we’re delivering the crisp summer taste of watermelon – a flavor that is made with real watermelon juice and certainly sets us apart from competitors. We’ve got a feeling that our fans are going to enjoy this watermelon pack well beyond summer sipping.”
Each new Vizzy Watermelon flavor contains 100 calories, 5% alcohol by volume, and 1 gram of sugar. The variety pack comes in 12-oz. slim can 12-packs and the bold design of the hot pink and green case won’t be hard to miss on shelves.
Across all states, value velocity remains strongly positive compared to last year, with all states either ahead or comparable to 2019, CGA data for the week ended July 10 shows.
Average outlet dollar sales (velocity) trends are slightly negative (-1%) in the latest week (July 10 vs July 3) across the average U.S. outlet, following declines of -8% across the July 4 weekend.
While velocity was down across the weekend of July 4 vs the previous weekend, after these declines, all states also experienced a recoup of velocity on Saturday July 10 vs Saturday July 3. One reason: All states have bars and restaurants open indoor completely (with no capacity restrictions).
Matthew Crompton, CGA Client Solutions Director, Americas, said: “Although there were declines across most states across the July 4th weekend, overall value velocity remains strongly positive compared to last year and ahead of 2019 levels. The market has recovered a lot quicker than anticipated, and suppliers and operators alike have the opportunity to target consumers returning to the On Premise with a tailored approach to maximize spend.”
Comment: We were in Norfolk over the July 4 weekend and visited Kelly’s Tavern in Ghent. We were surprised at how relatively empty it was.
Licence IV is expanding its offerings to include French wine in cans in the United States. The company’s first canned offerings include their flagship Blanc – the first-ever Muscadet released in this format – and Rosé, both now available for purchase in California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, New York and Washington, and will continue to roll out in fine wine shops across the nation this year.
Licence IV – founded by French sommelier Gregory Castells – changes the idea that French wine is intimidating and instead has developed a line of wines that are complex, yet easy to enjoy without compromising on quality and taste. All of the wines are made from small, family-owned wineries in France and selected with the same discernment adhered by legendary French wine importer, Martine’s Wines, the parent company of Licence IV.
The name itself, Licence IV, is named after the permit in France that allows cafes, restaurants, hotels, and nightclubs to serve alcohol. The official enameled placards can be found bolted to the walls of these establishments throughout France.
Blanc – A Melon de Bourgogne from the banks of the eastern Loire Valley, this will be the first-ever Muscadet offered in cans. Featuring aromas of freshly cut grass, salty lime zest and gun flint, the palate is vibrant and refreshing whilst the mid palate is dry and reminiscent of citrus and oyster shells with an herbal, saline finish. It is best paired with oysters and clams, mouthwatering with marcona almonds, salted butter, bread and anchovies and fantastic with fresh chevre.
Rosé – A Grenache (80%) and Merlot (20%) blend made from organically grown grapes in Provence. Rosé features notes of blood orange, fresh strawberries and pink peonies on the nose, with a fruit forward and bright palate, aerial with notes of strawberries and pomegranate. It finishes fresh and light, calling for another glass. Paired perfectly with caprese salad, charcuterie or marinated octopus, but especially by itself.
Licence IV’s red wine, Rouge, is a Grenache (85%) and Syrah (15%) blend from Valréas in the Southern Rhône. Rouge is currently available in 1 liter bottles, and will be available in cans in 2022.
“Canned beverages are thriving in the U.S. market, and we’re excited to be breaking into that category with our canned wines”, said Licence IV President and Owner, Gregory Castells. “We want to offer fine wine and make it accessible and approachable for anyone who savors experiences that bring people together. We consider taking it easy to be something taken seriously at Licence IV.”
