News Briefs for August 12, 2015
August 12, 2015•New York-based importer and distributor Baron Francois Ltd. tells SND it’s eyeing trade-up trends in wine this year as it preps several new products for September. “We’re seeing premiumization,” says Baron Francois managing director Frederic Goossens. “The $9.99 level remains attractive, but there’s now much more confidence in wines retailing from $14.99-$19.99.” Within the France-centered Baron Francois portfolio, rosés are selling briskly—especially those from Provence—and consumers are increasingly seeing Languedoc as a good source of value, Goossens adds. The company, which has grown organic revenues by 50% over the last four years and is targeting turnover of $16 million by 2020, will add three new suppliers in September: Beaujolais’ Dominique Piron ($15-$25); Champagne Joseph Perrier ($45-$125) and grower Champagne Autréau de Champillon ($40-$45).
•A few weeks after settling a class action suit regarding the labeling and marketing of its flagship whisky brand, Templeton Rye has created a settlement fund to refund consumers who purchased the product. The fund, which has a cap of $2.5 million, will refund consumers between $3 and $6 per bottle of Templeton Rye, depending on proof of purchase. The Iowa-based Templeton has set up a website to process the claims, which must be submitted by November 18, 2015 in order to receive a refund.
•Cape Classics continues to extend its French wine stable, adding Burgundy’s Maison Matisco and Domaine Vrignaud. Matisco’s wines include a Mâcon-Villages ($20), Saint-Véran ($30) and Saint Véran Sur la Carriére ($50), while Vrignaud includes a Chablis ($25), Les Champréaux ($32) and Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume Vieilles Vignes ($50). Matisco and Vrignaud, both organic producers, join fellow Burgundy winemaker Philippe Pacalet, which partnered with Cape Classics last month.
Subscribe to Shanken News Daily’s Email Newsletter, delivered to your inbox each morning.Tagged : Baron Francois Ltd., Cape Classics, Champagne Autréau de Champillon, Champagne Joseph Perrier, Domaine Vrignaud, Dominique Piron, Maison Matisco, Templeton Rye
