News Briefs for July 5, 2011
July 5, 2011•Treasury Wine Estates has launched Vin Parfait—a boutique wine brand targeting female consumers in their 20s and 30s—in the U.S. market. Rolling out this month and priced at $13.99 a 750-ml., the California-sourced line currently features a 2009 Chardonnay and a 2009 red wine blend made with Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah and Merlot.
•The Edrington Group’s global turnover jumped 18% to £553 million ($889m) in its fiscal year through March, while pre-tax profit rose 19% to £142 million ($228m). Strong performances by The Macallan (up 14%), Highland Park (up 9%) and The Famous Grouse (up 4%) led the growth. Edrington said it plans to open a new regional office in New York, though no specific opening date has been set. Edrington-owned The Macallan is handled by Remy Cointreau USA and is the second-largest single malt Scotch brand in the U.S. at 134,000 cases on 7.2% growth in 2010.
•Dourthe USA has been named exclusive U.S. importer of Chilean wine brands Seña and Viña Arboleda. Dourthe USA is the U.S. subsidiary of Thienot, Bordeaux-Champagnes, the French company formed from the 2007 merger of Champagne houses Thienot, Canard Duchene and Joseph Perrier with Bordeaux wine giant Dourthe-CVBG. The Dourthe USA portfolio includes Dourthe, Champagne Thienot, Canard-Duchene, Languedoc winemaker Chateau de Serame and Argentine wines Clos de los Siete and DiamAndes. Arboleda was launched in 1999 and is the creation of Eduardo Chadwick, president of Chile’s Viña Errazuriz. It’s made from grapes grown in cool climate estates in Chile’s Aconcagua Valley. Seña was originally a joint production of Chadwick and the late Robert Mondavi. It was launched in 1997 with the 1995 vintage and has been 100% owned by the Chadwick family since 2005.
•Bacardi has launched a new product in its ready-to-serve portfolio, Classic Cocktails Hand Shaken Daiquiri. The new offering is at 15% abv and is packaged in 750-ml. and 1.75-liter sizes, selling for $12.99 and $19.99 respectively. The Hand Shaken Daiquiri is made with a combination of Bacardi Superior Rum, lime juice and sugar. It joins a Bacardi Classic Cocktails line also including Piña Colada, Strawberry Daiquiri, Mojito and Raspberry Mojito flavors.
•A recent survey by consulting firm AlixPartners LLP found that 70% of Americans dine out at least once a week, compared to 49% in a similar poll conducted in early 2010. The best growth is coming from fast casual and convenience store venues according to the survey, as consumers continue to seek deals and discounts. Overall, per-meal spending trended downward, with a majority of those surveyed saying they’ll spend about 5% less per restaurant meal over the next year. Restaurants still face the struggles of commodity price inflation, the consulting firm noted, citing a 42% increase in the cost of daily restaurant staples (including wheat, corn, beef, cheese and rice) between June 2009 and May 2011. The survey was an online poll of 1,000 U.S. consumers conducted between May 31 and June 1.
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