Vera Wang Adds a Prosecco to Party Line

Posted on June 22, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

“I am excited to introduce Party’s newest wine just in time for summer. The Prosecco Rosé is extremely versatile and pairs well with all of your favorite seasonal cuisines – barbecue, seafood, al fresco brunch – and entertaining occasions,” says Vera Wang. “Prosecco isn’t just for special occasions. Whether you are celebrating by yourself as a party of one, or with friends, PARTY is about toasting the every day.”

Vera Wang once again turned to Araldica, the producer of the best-selling Moscato in America, in one of the world’s top winemaking regions, Piemonte. Led by second-generation winemaker Claudio Manera, it is one of Italy’s fastest-growing producers and most forward-thinking winemaking co-operative. Manera continues his father’s commitment to Italy’s winemaking traditions, preserving local varieties, protecting the environment, and valuing the characteristics of each wine.

Retailing at $25, Vera Wang PARTY Prosecco Rosé is crafted from 90% Glera and 10% Pinot Noir grapes harvested in the province of Vincenza in the Veneto region of northern Italy. Pale pink in color, the prosecco boasts a subtle floral aroma with undertones of redberry with a lively palate of ripe strawberry and raspberry notes.

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Almanac Beer Launches a West Coast Pale Ale

Posted on June 22, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

Northern California’s farm-to-barrel craft beer pioneers Almanac Beer Co. expands its year-round fresh beer portfolio with a new West Coast pale ale honoring a style that put California craft beer on the map. FLOW Pale Ale (5.5% ABV) takes a classic West Coast style and brews it for the modern drinker. It’s available throughout California.

The Chevron mosaic label design of FLOW Pale Ale (pictured below) pops with just as much punch as when opening a 16 oz. can on the beach. The golden hour glow of a California sunset with hues of turquoise reflecting off the ocean water composes the FLOW color palette. Dry-hopped with Simcoe and El Dorado, FLOW is full of character with a super light body.

“Nothing hits the spot quite like a refreshing West Coast pale ale! As the beer style that originally captured my heart, I decided it was time to create a worthy Almanac version. It took over a year of R&D before we nailed the final recipe, but we couldn’t be more excited about the result. FLOW is all about balance. It’s got a huge hop aroma and is bursting with notes of juicy lemon, ripe melon, and fresh berries and pine. The bitterness is restrained, the finish is clean, and the body is light and crisp. FLOW is a simple beer, and it’s just plain delicious,”  said Damian Fagan, Founder & CEO, Almanac Beer Co.

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What We’re Reading —

Posted on June 22, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

Gallo Winery Could Be New Player For Super Bowl Spots

For decades, rivals have looked with envy at Anheuser-Busch’s stranglehold over Super Bowl alcohol advertising.  With A-B giving up its long-held exclusivity over alcohol advertising, E. & J. Gallo Winery might advertise during the Super Bowl.

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Milestone Brands Acquires Victoria Distillers, Azzurre Spirits

Posted on June 21, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

Milestone Brands LLC, the premium spirits company based in Austin, Texas, said it  acquired Victoria Distillers Inc (“VDI”), one of the oldest artisan distilleries in Canada and the producer of Empress 1908 Gin, and Azzurre Spirits Corp., the U.S. importer of Empress 1908 Gin.

Since its launch in 2017, Empress 1908 Gin has grown to more than 200,000 cases globally while achieving +100% growth in calendar year 2021. Empress 1908 Gin is the #1 super premium gin in Canada and the #2 super premium gin in the United States.

As part of the transaction, Milestone Brands has acquired the distillery for Empress 1908 Gin in Victoria, Canada as well as the new packaging facility opened in February in Vancouver, Canada.

“We are excited to add Empress 1908 Gin to our Milestone Brands family of brands,” stated Eric Dopkins, CEO and Founder of Milestone Brands LLC, “The Victoria Distillers team as well as the Azzurre Spirits team in the U.S. have truly built a world class brand in Empress 1908 Gin…from the liquid, packaging, name, quality and overall marketing of such a differentiated innovation in the super spirits category”.

Milestone Brands, LLC will retain the entire Victoria Distillers Team as well as the U.S- based team from Azzurre Spirits.  Peter Hunt will continue to lead VDI as President.

Milestone Brands LLC is having a record-breaking year with Dulce Vida Tequila leading the company’s growth headed to 125,000 nine-liter cases in 2022.  Milestone is slated to surpass 400,000 nine-liter cases in 2022 with the VDI acquisition.

BDT Capital Partners, LLC (“BDT”) funded the acquisitions and the company’s next stage of growth and acquired a significant minority stake in Milestone Brands through its affiliated funds. Additional terms were not disclosed.

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Carlsberg Testing Bio-Based, Fully Recyclable Bottle

Posted on June 21, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

The pilot, which is vital to accelerating Carlsberg’s ambition of making the beer bottle a commercial reality, will see 8,000 Fibre Bottles being sampled in eight Western European markets: Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, United Kingdom, Poland, Germany and France. The bottles will be placed into the hands of local consumers, customers and other stakeholders through select festivals and flagship events, as well as targeted product samplings. Testing at this scale will give Carlsberg the opportunity to gather feedback on people’s experiences of the product, which will inform the next generation of design.

The Fibre Bottle incorporates a plant-based PEF polymer lining, which has been developed by Carlsberg’s partner Avantium, a leading expert in renewable chemistry. PEF is made entirely from natural raw materials, is compatible with plastic recycling systems, and can degrade into nature should it end up outside national recycling systems. Beyond its sustainable packaging benefits, PEF functions as a highly effective barrier between the beer and the fibre outer shell, protecting the taste and fizziness of the beer better than conventional fossil-fuel-based PET plastic.

The outer shell of the bottle, produced by the packaging company Paboco, consists of sustainably-sourced wood fibre and is also bio-based. This shell has the added benefit of insulative properties which can help keep beer colder for longer, compared to cans or glass bottles.

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Foley Family Wines Mum on Silverado Vineyards Acquisition Report

Posted on June 21, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

Foley Family Wines declined to confirm — or deny — a published report that it has agreed to acquire Silverado Vineyards.

“Foley Family Wines does not comment on speculation or rumored acquisitions.  As has been the case in the past, Foley Family Wines will release official communication regarding any pending or future acquisitions after the final closing phase is completed,” Angie Vetter, marketing director, told us.

Purchase prices was said to be more than $150 million, according to the unconfirmed reports.  Silverado currently produces about 68,000 cases, but could bump production to 140,000 cases.

Silverado was founded by Ron Miller and his wife, Diane Disney Miller, the oldest daughter of Walt Disney, who died in 2013.

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