News Briefs for April 24, 2017

•Italy’s Tenuta Luce della Vite has acquired a new 135-acre property in Montalcino, including 27 acres of vineyards currently in production, from Swiss-owned Logrono. The price wasn’t disclosed. The new property is planted 60% to Sangiovese and 40% to other varietals. Located adjacent to Luce della Vite’s existing property, the purchase will also see Luce add a new dedicated winery, cellar and winemaking team. With the expansion, Luce, owned by Lamberto Frescobaldi, will have a total of 217 acres of vineyards. The acquisition will allow for higher production for Luce while enhancing production of Lucente (the secondary wine of the estate). Luce’s new winery will officially open this November. In the U.S., Luce della Vite is imported by Folio Fine Wine Partners.

•Just a few years after Dublin’s first distillery in over a century opened, the city will soon have another. The Dublin Liberties Distillery has started construction work on its facility located at Old Mill Street in the city’s Liberties neighborhood. The €15 million project involves renovating a 300-year-old former mill and tannery building to encompass both the distillery space and a visitors center. The Dublin Liberties Distillery will be the home of The Dubliner whiskey brand, which currently sources its blend and 10 year old single malt from undisclosed distilleries in Ireland. Whisky Advocate has the full story.

•Remy Cointreau USA has named Lou Conrad as senior vice president of sales, effective immediately. Conrad replaces Bill Corbett, who is stepping back from SVP responsibilities ahead of his retirement in September 2018. Conrad, who joined Remy Cointreau in 2006, was previously vice president, division manager – South. In his new role, Conrad will be relocating to New York and will report to Philippe Farnier, Remy Cointreau Americas president and CEO.

•The 51st edition of Vinitaly, Italy’s premier wine fair, took over its hometown of Verona for four days, April 9–12, mixing exuberant celebration with a sober examination of global changes affecting the wine industry. The increasingly international fair drew 128,000 visitors from 142 countries; more than 30,000 foreign accredited wine buyers; and 4,270 exhibitors from 30 countries. Though Italian wine remained the star, this year’s edition also featured more exotic tastings, from Bordeaux-style blends from Ningxia, China, to English sparkling wine. Wine Spectator has more.

Tagged : Dublin Liberties Distillery, Luce della Vite, Rémy Cointreau USA, Vinitaly, whiskey, wine

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