News Briefs for September 4, 2020

•Pernod Ricard North America has named John Barrett as chief commercial officer, effective September 14. Barrett replaces Julien Hemard, who transitioned to become the group sales chief transformation officer, based in Paris, earlier this summer. Barrett joins Pernod from Kites Advisors and has previous management experience at Frito Lay. Meanwhile, Vincent Turpin has been promoted to senior vice president, finance, effective October 1. He’s currently director and CFO at Pernod Ricard Chivas Brothers and has worked for the company since 2005. Both appointees will report Pernod Ricard North America chairman and CEO Ann Mukherjee.

•Beaulieu Vineyard, part of Treasury Wine Estates’ California portfolio, is launching its Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon on La Place de Bordeaux. Gregory Joos De Ter Beerst, Treasury’s regional manager, luxury, Europe, said “the arrival of Georges de Latour on La Place de Bordeaux is a logical part of our distribution strategy to reach more consumers.” Georges de Latour’s Private Reserve 2017 will debut on September 17 through negociant partners CVBG, Joanne, LD Vins, Ballande et Meneret, Twins, Barriere Freres, and The Wine Merchant, available via Bordeaux outside of the U.S., Canada, Caribbean and Norway.

•Bozal mezcal has introduced Madrecuishe, a new single maguey expression. The new mezcal is sourced from San Luis Amatlán in Oaxaca, and is bottled at 46% abv. Billed as a sipping mezcal, Madrecuishe is retail priced at $80 a 750-ml. and is currently rolling out nationwide. The Bozal mezcal lineup is part of the portfolio of Sonoma-based négociant 3 Badge Beverage Corp. and includes a variety of expressions, among them Espadín, Barril, and Tobalá.

•Alain Voge, the dedicated Rhône Valley vintner who helped develop the Cornas appellation, passed away Wednesday at the age of 81. For more than 50 years, he made wine from Cornas and St.-Péray, helping preserve their hillside vineyards at a time when development threatened to erase them from the map. Wine Spectator has more on Voge’s life and career.

•Ron Colón Salvadoreño has aligned with Preiss Imports for U.S. distribution. The high-proof rum from El Salvador was launched early this year by industry veterans Pepijn Janssens and Thurman Wise. Preiss plans to roll the brand out across 30 states. Ron Colón’s range includes a 111-proof Dark Aged Rum retailing at $42 a 750-ml. and a 111-proof Cold Coffee Infused Rum retailing at $44. An 81-proof Cold Coffee Infused Rum ($32) will follow in November.

Tagged : Beaulieu Vineyard, Bozal mezcal, Pernod Ricard, Ron Colon Salvadoreno, Wine Spectator

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