News Briefs for July 8, 2014
July 8, 2014•William Grant & Sons’ Milagro Tequila has released the second edition of its ultra-premium Unico expression. Rolling out in September, the limited edition offering is a joven blend, made with a mix of aged silver Tequila and barrel-aged reposado and añejo reserves. After blending, the liquid is filtered and oxygenated to remove color, then packaged in a handcrafted bottle. Just 1,500 bottles of Unico’s second iteration will be available at select retailers, bars and restaurants, priced at $300 each.
•Riondo USA has been named sales and marketing agent for Royal Dutch Distillers’ Chocovine chocolate wine portfolio in the U.S. market. Chocovine, owned and produced by Royal Dutch Distillers’ Netherlands-based parent company De Kuyper Holding NV, was previously handled by Clever Imports in the U.S. market. The move follows the news that Clever has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, with unsecured claims of about $3.9 million. Chocovine was at 137,000 cases last year, according to Impact Databank, down from half a million cases as recently as 2011.
•Full service restaurant and bar traffic in the U.S. was down 1.4% in the year-to-date through June 15, according to GuestMetrics, while sales rose 1.4%. Spirits volume is down 0.7% in the on-premise so far this year, while wine volume has declined by 1.5% and beer volume has fallen by 4.1%. Each of the categories improved their trends versus the year-to-date over the most recent four weeks. GuestMetrics sister company Consumer Edge Research adds that there continues to be pressure on the low/middle income consumer in the U.S. market—hampering growth in casual restaurants and bars—while upscale restaurants are performing strongly.
•Crimson Wine Group’s luxury Washington winery Double Canyon has unveiled a new Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon. Retailing at $25 a bottle, the debut 2012 vintage of the wine is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Syrah and 3% Malbec. Nearly a quarter of the blend comes from the winery’s estate Double Canyon Vineyard, with the remainder sourced from Phinny Hill Vineyard and Zephyr Ridge. Double Canyon’s portfolio also includes its Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ($48), the 2011 vintage of which launched in March.
•TGIC Global Fine Wine Co.’s California-based distribution unit Titan Wine and Spirits has acquired fine wine wholesale distributor Angeles Wine Agency. Also based in California, Angeles Wine will now operate under the name Titan Wine and Spirits. TGIC says the deal expands Titan’s wholesale distribution capabilities across the state, particularly within the on-premise, and strengthens the company’s portfolio selection. Angeles Wine Agency specializes in imported wines from the Rhone Valley, Burgundy, Italy and Spain, as well as domestic offerings from Napa Valley, Sonoma, Anderson Valley, Monterey, Paso Robles and Willamette Valley, among other regions.
•Anheuser-Busch InBev is backing its fast-rising Bud Light Lime Rita franchise with its largest advertising campaign to date. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the BBDO-created “Fiesta Forever” campaign marks the most significant advertising behind the Rita range since it was launched with Bud Light Lime Lime-A-Rita in 2012. The push includes TV ads which debuted nationally last night, as well as print, digital and social media components. Lime-A-Rita rose 44% to 10.5 million (2.25-gallon) cases in its second year on the market in 2013, while Straw-Ber-Rita jumped out to 11.5 million cases in its debut year. Another line extension, Cran-Brrr-Rita depleted 500,000 cases on a limited time on the market last year. All earned Impact “Hot Brand” honors.
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