News Briefs for June 4, 2013
June 4, 2013•Brown-Forman has unveiled the first limited-edition wine under its Sonoma-Cutrer Winemaker’s Release Series, Late Harvest Chardonnay. The new entry will be available in select markets across the country, priced at $29.99 a 375-ml. bottle. Produced from grapes of the Sonoma-Cutrer vineyards left on the vine past ripeness and aged in French oak barrels, Late Harvest contains a greater amount of sugar, resulting in a sweeter, richer wine. The Sonoma-Cutrer Winemaker’s Release Series—launched to show the craftsmanship and innovation of the winery—will present new wines periodically, featuring different blends and varietals, Brown-Forman said.
•Pernod Ricard’s Chivas Brothers unit has introduced The Diamond Tribute—a new, permanent addition to its ultra-premium Royal Salute Scotch whisky brand. Rolling out globally in July, The Diamond Tribute will be sold in Travel Retail at around $270. The Diamond Tribute is a blend of rare whiskies from Strathisla in the Highlands among other distilleries. Its release is timed to mark the 60th anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
•Casual dining chain Red Robin has introduced two new beer cocktails to its menu. Served in limited-edition, reusable beer cans through summertime, the exclusive Can-Crafted Cocktails feature a mix of beer and liquor. Red Robin will serve two styles—the Coors Light Can-Crafted Cocktail features a blend of Coors Light, ginger liqueur and lemonade, topped with fresh-squeezed lemon; and the Blue Moon Can-Crafted Cocktail features a combination of Blue Moon Belgian White, Svedka Clementine vodka, orange juice and fresh lime juice. Red Robin has 475 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada.
•The National Restaurant Association’s monthly Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) for April was at a 10-month high, up 0.4% from March to 101. This marks the third time in the last four months that the RPI was greater than 100, indicating higher same-store sales and an improved outlook among restaurant operators nationwide. The RPI’s Current Situation Index for April was up 0.3% to 100.1, marking the first time in eight months that the Current Situation Index was higher than 100, and the Expectations Index for April was up 0.5% to 101.9—the highest level in 11 months.
•Panache Beverages, producer of the Wodka vodka and Alibi American whiskey brands, has agreed to acquire Hudson, Florida-based Empire Winery and Distillery for an undisclosed sum. The distillery is expected to reopen as Panache Distillery before the end of this year. It will house production of both Wodka and Alibi and allow Panache full integration of its domestic distilling, bottling and sales operations. The move also diversifies Panache’s business, adding bulk spirits production and third-party contract production as additional revenue streams, the company said.
•This year’s Auction Napa Valley live bidding got off to a fast start and didn’t stop until records were shattered, Wine Spectator reports. With 45 lots, the auction raised $14.3 million in less than four hours at the June 1 auction, more than twice last year’s $6.1 million figure. By the end of the four-day event, Napa Valley Vintners had raised more than $16.9 million, topping their own record of $10.5 million set in 2005. This figure also puts Auction Napa Valley back on top as the country’s highest-earning charity wine auction. The Naples Winter Wine Festival has held the top spot since 2004, raising a record $15.67 million haul in 2007, but brought in only $8.5 million in January.
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