What We’re Reading —

Posted on June 9, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

If the California wine industry wants to survive, it must use less water

Some 80% of California’s water goes to agriculture.

Vineyards gulp a lot of water, but the wine production process uses considerable amounts at other stages too, largely to clean the production facility. Compared with other forms of beverage production, winemaking does not look very water-efficient: Coca-Cola used 1.84 liters of water for every liter of Coke produced in 2020, while wineries use about 7 to 16 liters of water per liter of wine, according to the journal Water Science & Technology.

No winemaker could have caused the sky to rain more last year. But that sentiment obscures the opportunity that human beings have to mitigate the situation.

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Napa County Wine Grape Production Up 60% In 2021

Posted on June 9, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

The total value of the 2021 Napa County, Calif., winegrape crop was $741,732,000, up 60.8% from the previous year, Napa County officials said.

Much of this increase can be attributed to a dramatic rise and recovery in red winegrape production and average price per ton, following the sharp drop in these numbers in 2020. Much of that year’s decline was caused by local wildfires and the overall economic impact brought on by the first year of the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic.

In 2021, total winegrape production increased by approximately 21,216 tons, or 21.4%  from 2020. The total winegrape tonnage for the 2021 crop (120,527 tons from 46,019 bearing acres) was still 20.6% lower than the previous 10-year average of 151,708 tons, however the total winegrape value was 7.2% higher than the previous 10-year average. The average price paid per ton for all winegrapes was $6,154, a 32.5% increase from 2020. In 2021, the highest average price paid for a major Napa County winegrape variety was $9,304 per ton for Cabernet Franc. There were 1,213 bearing acres of Cabernet Franc in 2021.

Top Wine Grape Varieties

In 2021 the top three varieties in total value were Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Merlot. Approximately 65,169 tons of Cabernet Sauvignon (24,094 acres) were harvested and sold at an average price of $8,083 per ton. Chardonnay (5,880 acres) exceeded Merlot (4,019 acres) by 1,861 bearing acres, but sold at $787 less per ton on average. Merlot production was 7,630 tons, valued at an average of $4,032 per ton. Chardonnay production of 15,926 tons was valued on average at $3,245 per ton. These three varieties together accounted for over 73 percent of all production and more than 82 percent of the total wine grape value.

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With U.S. Sales Up 25%, Banfi Intros New Logo, 2017 Brunello

Posted on June 9, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

Banfi said sales its U.S. sales rose 25% growth in revenue in 2021, with positive trends continuing through the first quarter of 2022. This year the company introduces a new logo – its first outward communication since its change in portfolio strategy in 2020 when it pivoted its focus to its proprietary labels. The logo reinforces heritage and family, and the company’s focus on wine since pre-prohibition times.

“I draw inspiration from my family while forging a new path for Banfi, and I am proud to bolster our legacy with our new logo,” said Christina Mariani-May, CEO. “‘For a Better Wine World’ is a belief and a promise, one that connects our U.S. and Italian colleagues while also demonstrating Banfi’s global reputation. Our vineyard estate, commitment to education and sustainability, and the quality of our wines are a source of pride for our team.”

The company also introduced the 2017 vintage of Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino DOCG. Once dubbed the “Builders of Brunello,” the award-winning winery estate is credited with bringing the industry’s attention to this southern Tuscan region. Banfi’s flagship Brunello is outpacing the category at +35% growth*, with positive trends expected for the remainder of 2022.

Over four decades ago, the Mariani family set out to create a more outstanding Brunello and bring it to consumers globally. Years of groundbreaking research led to the discovery and careful selection of Sangiovese clones for the optimal expression of Brunello. For the good of the Montalcino territory, Banfi openly shared their research with wine producers across the region. The family’s vision came to fruition as Brunello di Montalcino became Italy’s first wine to receive DOCG status

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Posted on June 9, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

GlenDronach Distillery announces the tenth release of its highly anticipated Cask Strength Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky. This expression is expertly crafted by Master Blender Rachel Barrie from a marriage of Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks.

By bottling at the whisky’s natural cask strength, as was the custom before the turn of the 20th Century, GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 10 offers connoisseurs a deeper insight into the distillery’s signature character.

Master Blender Rachel Barrie said, “The GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 10 is incredibly rich and full-bodied with the full depth of sherry cask maturation at its heart. Presented at natural cask strength, it offers a cornucopia of flavor, from richly spiced fruitcake to dark cherry and ginger jam.”

The GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 10 is bottled at 58.6% ABV, and as is the case for all The GlenDronach expressions, develops its deep color naturally over time from the Spanish oak in which it rests. It is available across the U.S. at a suggested retail price of $99.99.

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Heaven Hill Launches PAMA Seltzer

Posted on June 9, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur (Heaven Hill) launched PAMA Seltzer, the latest ready-to-drink offering in the Heaven Hill Brands portfolio. Like the liqueur, PAMA Seltzer is made with real fruit juice and a vodka base with a touch of tequila. Available in three flavors, PAMA Seltzer offers a light and crisp taste of pomegranate in the RTD space.

First launched during the height of the pomegranate superfruit craze in 2005, PAMA is  now capitalizing on the growing flavor trend with pomegranate flavored spirits up more than 61%. Now consumers can enjoy the flavor of the versatile liqueur in a convenient, premium offering at 4.5% ABV and 120 calories. PAMA Seltzer is available in 12 oz. slim cans in a four-pack pomegranate flavor offering with an SRP of $12.99 and a six-pack variety flavor offering with an SRP of $16.99. The six-pack will feature two cans each of pomegranate, blueberry pomegranate, and mandarin orange pomegranate.

“Much like it’s initial launch, PAMA again delivers on premium innovation by filling a niche in the RTD space with a real pomegranate fruit juice offering in PAMA Seltzer,” said Molly Vincent, Brand Manager. “The unique vodka and tequila-based seltzer is a convenient way for consumers to enjoy the refreshing taste of PAMA at any occasion.”

First launching in Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Texas, Florida, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts, PAMA Seltzer will be supported by digital and influencer marketing, complemented by robust point-of-sale materials.

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Clown Shoes Beer Uses Augmented Reality Labels

Posted on June 9, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

Designed in partnership with Australia-based augmented reality app Swigr, the augmented reality label for Clown Shoes Space Cake Double IPA offers five different settings to toggle through – the first being a lifelike animation of the beloved characters featured on the label. Users can also get the latest updates on special events and announcements from Clown Shoes, get a recommendation on what beer they should try next, and play a retro-style “Beer Invaders” game using the can.

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