News Briefs for August 14, 2013
August 14, 2013•Despite stormy weather in some areas in recent weeks, Champagne is on pace to produce an abundant vintage this year, up 56% to 3.1 million hectoliters (34 million nine-liter cases) according to a forecast by the French ministry of agriculture. If it comes to fruition, that output—16% above Champagne’s average production over the past five years—would help replenish reserve stocks, which were drawn upon heavily to buttress last year’s very short crop. The Comite Interprofessionnel des Vins de Champagne (CIVB) has said that the 2013 vintage has very good potential in both quality and quantity, but warned that unsettled weather between now and harvest could still affect the outcome.
•U.S. wine export value rose 6% to $712 million in the six months through June, according to the Wine Institute, even as shipments slipped 1.4% to 214.8 million liters. The Wine Institute has set the goal of driving annual export value beyond the $2 billion mark by 2020, and noted that if the pace of exports shown through the first half keeps up in the latter half of the year export value will establish a new record-high for the fourth straight year. Around 90% of U.S. wine exports come from California.
•Anheuser-Busch has called out rival MillerCoors over the marketing of the Coors Light brand in a complaint that has been referred to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). A-B has challenged Coors Light marketing claims such as “the world’s most refreshing can” and “smoother, more refreshing pour,” asking the Advertising Self-Regulatory Council to investigate. MillerCoors declined to cooperate with the Council’s inquiry, calling the challenge “frivolous,” and noted that all advertising with the disputed claims will be discontinued this fall anyway. The Advertising Self-Regulatory Council has in the meantime referred the matter to the FTC, however. The disputed slogans stem from Coors Light packaging innovations such as its “double-vented wide mouth can”—which was introduced in May—as well as temperature activated ink on the brand’s labels.
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