News Briefs for April 4, 2023
April 5, 2023•Diageo has unveiled the final release in Crown Royal’s Noble Collection, Barley Edition. The 45% abv whisky blends barrels made from unmalted and malted barley, with each barrel aged at least five years. Crown Royal’s latest release is available across the U.S. in limited quantities for a suggested price of $80 a 750-ml. Crown Royal and its flavored offshoots depleted approximately 7.4 million cases in the U.S. last year, according to Impact Databank.
•The Wine Group has expanded Cupcake Vineyards with Citruskissed Pinot Grigio. The new offering blends grapes grown in cooler and warmer regions and, according to the company, creates a wine that balances a greater ripeness with acidity. The new release is rolling out now across the U.S. for a suggested price of $13 a 750-ml. Last year, Cupcake was at 2.75 million cases in the U.S., according to Impact Databank.
•Riboli Family Wines has expanded distribution for Stella Rosa’s collection of Italian brandies to seven new states. According to the company, the trio of spirits depleted 50,000 cases in its first six months on the market. Now the distribution footprint will add Arizona, Nevada, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Washington, and Hawaii, bringing Stella Rosa Premium Imported Brandy to 21 markets across the U.S. The spirits retail for between $30 and $35 a bottle and come in the flavors Smooth Black Brandy, Tropical Passion Brandy, and Honey Peach Brandy.
•Tequila brand Volcan de mi Tierra, part of the Moet Hennessy portfolio, is expanding its ultra-premium expression Volcan X.A to a number of new markets. Launched last July, the brand’s top offering has been available exclusively on-premise at a limited number of locations across five markets. It’s now widening to retail availability across 13 markets including Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, Texas, and Washington D.C. this month. Made from 100% blue weber agave, Volcan X.A is a blend of Reposado, Anejo, and Extra Anejo Tequilas that starts at $184 on ReserveBar.
•Grand Marnier, part of the Campari lineup, is launching a new brand campaign called Grand Encounter. The production features six mini-films directed by music video director Jake Nava. Inspired by Grand Marnier’s mingling of Cognac and orange liqueur, the spots highlight incongruous pairings like a classical pianist and a DJ. The Grand Encounter campaign will run on digital, print, and point-of-sale channels, beginning this week.
•Casa Azul, maker of a line of canned Tequila soda cocktails, has entered the upscale Tequila market supported by an ad campaign featuring with brand investor and actress Eiza González. The new Tequila is distributed by RNDC and launches with Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo offerings, priced at $69, $89, and $129, respectively. Initially, the brand will be available in California, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Louisiana, Illinois, Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.
•Dick Erath, a pioneering winemaker and grower who helped lay the foundation for today’s thriving Willamette Valley wine industry, died March 29. He was 87. Erath had been in ill health in recent months and passed away in Vancouver, Wash., where he lived for many years. Wine Spectator has the full story.
•Charleston, South Carolina’s Grain & Barrel Spirits has named Mike Glennon as chief sales officer. Glennon joins Grain & Barrel with over two decades of industry experience, including at Beam and Sidney Frank. Mostly recently, Glennon worked for Western Spirits Beverage Company. At Grain & Barrel, Glennon is tasked with expanding distribution and scaling up the company’s portfolio which
Subscribe to Shanken News Daily’s Email Newsletter, delivered to your inbox each morning.Tagged : Campari, Casa Azul, Crown Royal, Cupcake, Diageo, Erath, Grain & Barrel Spirits, Grand Marnier, Riboli, Stella Rosa, The Wine Group, Volcan De Mi Tierra, Wine Spectator
