News Briefs for September 3, 2025
September 3, 2025•Palm Bay International is launching a new wine from Piedmont’s Fontanafredda, Gavi DOCG 2024. Billed as an approachable expression of the Cortese grape from the Gavi DOCG, it retails at $22 a bottle and is debuting this month. According to the company, the new entry complements the brand’s well-established Fontanafredda Gavi di Gavi DOCG and will be available both on- and off-premise. Palm Bay ranks among the 10 largest U.S. wine marketers in volume terms at approximately 5.5 million cases, according to Impact Databank.
•Sazerac has introduced Fireball Blazin’ Apple, the first flavor extension in the brand’s history. The 33% abv flavored whisky is now available across the U.S. in a variety of sizes, including 50-ml. and 750-ml. Blazin’ Apple is a permanent addition to Fireball’s portfolio, which previously covered only spirit-, wine-, and malt-based cinnamon flavored drinks. Last year, Fireball was at 7 million cases in the U.S., according to Impact Databank. In control states through July, the brand was down just under 5%, per NABCA.
•Following Pernod Ricard’s statement last Friday on route-to-market changes in the U.S., Johnson Brothers has announced that its Johnson Brothers Maverick unit will handle Pernod’s newly created GEM portfolio of up and coming brands in the Texas market. Johnson Brothers acquired Maverick’s operations in Texas, Arizona, Colorado, and Florida earlier this year. In addition to Texas, Johnson Brothers will represent the GEM portfolio in Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Dakota, Virginia, and West Virginia. Pernod’s GEM range includes Absolut Elyx, Avión Tequila, Goslings Rum, Malfy Gin, Powers Irish Whiskey, Rabbit Hole Bourbon, and Aberlour Single Malt Scotch.
Tagged : Fireball, Fontanafredda, Johnson Brothers Maverick, Palm Bay, Pernod Ricard, Sazerac
