News Briefs for January 24, 2012

•Glenmorangie will add a new whisky, Glenmorangie Artein, to its Private Edition series beginning February 1. Artein (which is Gaelic for “stone”) is a 46%-abv blend of 15- and 21-year-old whiskies extra matured in Super Tuscan wine casks. The name refers both to the layers of limestone through which Glenmorangie’s water source, Tarlogie Spring, filters, as well as the stony soils from which Italy’s Super Tuscans are crafted. Artein ($79.99 a bottle) is the third offering in the brand’s Private Edition series. It follows Glenmorangie Sonnalta PX, extra matured in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks; and Glenmorangie Finealta, a recreation of an early recipe from the Glenmorangie archives, both of which are now sold out.

•Starbucks plans to expand its evening wine, beer and premium food program to locations in Atlanta, Southern California and Chicago by the end of this year. Under the concept, which began at Starbucks locations in the Pacific Northwest in 2010, the company offers local wine and beer options, as well as snacks, small plates and hot flatbreads. The concept is expected to roll out in five to seven Chicago locations and four to six locations in both Atlanta and Southern California.

•Palm Bay International is introducing a new super-premium French whisky, Bastille 1789, in the U.S. market. Created by Jean-Marc Daucourt (known for creating X-Rated Fusion liqueur among others), the malt and wheat for Bastille 1789 is sourced from northeast France. The whisky is distilled in alembic pot stills and aged for five to seven years in a combination of French oak, cherry wood and acacia casks. Bastille 1789 is rolling out this month in Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. at around $29.99 a bottle. It’s slated to hit nationwide distribution this May.

•Oregon’s Argyle Winery has released a “Silver Series” Pinot Noir range, featuring a trio of single-vineyard Pinot Noirs sourced from the Dundee and Eola Hills regions. Priced at $125 per boxed set, the Silver Series includes a 2009 Knudsen Vineyard Pinot Noir, 2009 Stoller Vineyard Pinot Noir and 2009 Lone Star Vineyard Pinot Noir. The range, commemorating Argyle’s 25th anniversary, will be available both online and at the winery’s Dundee, Oregon tasting room starting April 1. In addition to Pinot Noir, Argyle Winery produces premium Chardonnay, Riesling and sparkling wines.

•British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver is planning to expand one of his restaurant brands, Jamie’s Italian, into the U.S. and Canada, according to the Daily Telegraph. Oliver recently formed a Jamie’s Italian North America unit to handle the launch. Details on the first location and opening date have yet to be disclosed. The expansion into North America follows the recent rollout of the brand in Australia and Dubai. First launched in the U.K., Jamie’s Italian offers traditional Italian meals at moderate prices. It’s Oliver’s most successful restaurant brand, with annual profits of around £4.65 million ($7.25m).

Tagged : Glenmorangie, Palm Bay, restaurants

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