News Briefs for March 5, 2024
March 5, 2024•Terlato-owned wine brand The Federalist is extending with a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. The new offering is rolling out nationwide this spring, retailing at $20. Fermented in stainless steel tanks, it’s sourced from the Marlborough appellation. The Sauvignon Blanc extension follows The Federalist’s launch of a Pinot Noir expression last fall. The Federalist has U.S. volume of approximately 370,000 cases, according to Impact Databank.
•Mumm Napa, part of the Pernod Ricard portfolio, is launching several new sparkling wines. They include a new Mumm Sparkling range featuring a Mumm Sparkling Brut Prestige, Sparkling Brut Rosé, and Sparkling Cuvée all retailing at $24. Additionally, three new super-premium cuvees are debuting under the Mumm Napa line, retailing at $33. They include a Mumm Napa Prestige Cuvée, Napa Brut Rosé, and Napa Blanc de Blancs. Both lines are launching on- and off-premise across the U.S. Mumm Napa has U.S. volume of approximately 380,000 cases, according to Impact Databank.
•RumChata, the Gallo-owned cream liqueur, has launched Pineapple Cream, a new summer-focused extension from the brand. The 13.75% abv liqueur retails for a suggested price of $25 and follows past seasonal offerings like Coconut Cream in the brand’s portfolio. The RumChata portfolio is approaching 700,000 cases in the U.S., according to Impact Databank.
•Diageo has unveiled its first immersive experience for Apple Vision Pro, centered on Don Julio Tequila. The visionOS app highlights four steps in the Don Julio production process: harvesting the agave, baking the piñas, distilling the liquid, and aging the Tequila. Future iterations of the virtual-reality experience will feature guided tastings, mixology demonstrations, and experiences celebrating Mexico’s cocktail culture. Don Julio grew 18% to 2.45 million cases in the U.S. last year, according to Impact Databank.
•The Quiet Man Irish Whiskey, part of the Luxco (MGP) portfolio, is introducing Barman’s Code, a limited-edition 10-year-old single malt Irish whiskey finished in Marsala wine barrels. Barman’s Code is bottled at 43% abv and will be available this month, retailing at $55 a 700-ml bottle. Barman’s Code pays tribute to John Mulgrew, a career bartender in Belfast and the father of The Quiet Man founder Ciaran Mulgrew.
•Boston Beer Company’s Angry Orchard cider has launched Crisp Light, a new low-abv offering. Crisp Light comes in at 4.3% abv and has 120 calories per 12-ounce can. The company is positioning Crisp Light as a competitor to other low-alc canned beverages. Last week, Boston Beer named board member and Nike veteran Michael Spillane as CEO, effective April 1. He replaces Dave Burwick, who has served in the role since 2018. For fiscal 2023, the company posted revenue down 3.9% to $2 billion.
•Beam Suntory has renewed its partnership with The University of Kentucky’s James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits, aimed at strengthening Kentucky’s signature industry for future generations. Beam Suntory will donate $7.5 million over a 10-year period to fund the teaching and research institute. An additional $1.875 million in funding will be provided through the Commonwealth of Kentucky Research Challenge Trust Fund (RCTF) Endowment Match Program, subject to approval by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education.
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