News Briefs for August 29, 2012

•Diageo is set to launch a new global marketing campaign for Smirnoff vodka. Continuing with the brand’s nightlife theme, the campaign runs under the tagline “Smirnoff Midnight Circus” and will highlight unique nightlife experiences around the world. Smirnoff collaborated with renowned artist and photographer David LaChapelle to create an interactive art installation that will debut at events in Mexico City on September 7 and Bangkok on September 15. The piece will kick off a series of “innovative experiences” in more than 25 cities around the globe from September to February. In 2011, Diageo launched the “Nightlife Exchange Project” for Smirnoff, also based on a series of global nightlife events.

•Napa-based Coastal Wine Brands, a division of Delicato Family Vineyards, has debuted Charonge, a white wine blended with orange flavor. Released in July, Charonge is priced at $12 a 750-ml. It’s billed as having a fruity profile, featuring aromas of orange blossom, peach/apricot and yellow plum, followed by flavors of orange, papaya and yellow apple on the palate. The launch is being backed with a social media campaign focused on tastings and consumer events at bars and restaurants where legal.

•Heaven Hill Distilleries’ Burnett’s vodka brand has unveiled its first seasonal flavor entry, Burnett’s Candy Cane. Rolling out next month, the 35%-abv offering will only be available through December in 1.75-liter, 1-liter and 750-ml. formats, priced at $9.99 a 750-ml. Candy Cane is the 29th flavor in Burnett’s portfolio, following Maple Syrup, a year-round expression introduced in May.

•This fall, renowned three-Michelin star restaurants Alinea in Chicago and Eleven Madison Park in New York City will be switching places for a week each. Beginning September 26, chef Grant Achatz will serve Alinea’s menu at Eleven Madison Park for five days, while chef Daniel Humm will serve Eleven Madison Park’s menu at Alinea for five days beginning October 10. Tickets for dinner in both cities cost $495, excluding tax and gratuity, and will be available for purchase online in the coming weeks.

•Country music band Rascal Flatts has partnered with Arizona businessmen Philip Lama and Eric Soe to form the Rascal Flatts Restaurant Group, with plans to open its first restaurant in Phoenix before the end of the year. The 14,000-square-foot venue will feature a sound stage for live music and entertainment, indoor and outdoor bars and seating areas, and a retail space. The company plans to open 10 additional outposts of the Rascal Flatts-themed restaurant nationwide over the next two years.

•Las Vegas restaurant Beso and nightclub Eve, both located in Crystals at CityCenter and co-owned by actress Eva Longoria, Landry’s Inc. and club creator Jonas Lowrance, shuttered on Sunday to make room for a new restaurant and nightlife concept called She, which will debut on New Year’s Eve and be operated by Epic Entertainment Group.

Tagged : Delicato Family Vineyards, Diageo, Heaven Hill, restaurants, vodka, wine

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