News Briefs for May 24, 2017

•Total Wine & More is expanding in the Houston area with two new outposts, both slated to open in former Goody Goody liquor store locations. A recently shuttered Goody Goody in Houston’s Copperfield Village Shopping Center is set to reopen as a Total Wine this month, while a Humble, Texas-based Goody Goody is expected to close and reopen as a Total Wine by early- to mid-June. Total Wine first entered Houston late last year. The company currently operates six stores throughout the greater Houston area, opening its most recent location in Cinco Ranch, Texas in late March.

•Burgundy’s Maison Joseph Drouhin has promoted John Caruso to president of New York-based subsidiary Dreyfus, Ashby & Co. A 22-year industry veteran, Caruso has been vice president of marketing and administration at Dreyfus, Ashby since 2007. The Dreyfus, Ashby portfolio includes offerings from France, the U.S., Italy, Germany, Spain, New Zealand and South Africa, among other key global wine regions. Family-owned Maison Joseph Drouhin owns 174 acres of vineyards in Burgundy, principally grand and premier cru sites. It also has 450 acres in Oregon, split between the Dundee Hills and Eola-Amity Hills areas.

•Mendoza, Argentina-based Ruca Malen has launched Aimé, a new wine range, in the U.S. Aimé’s lineup includes a Malbec, red blend and Sweet Moscato. Ruca Malen suggests that the Aimé wines can be consumed straight from the bottle, but are also amenable to pouring over ice, as part of a sangria recipe, or mixed in cocktails. Imported by Opici Wines, the new Aimé range retails at $8.99 a 750-ml.

•Beam Suntory–owned Cruzan Rum is debuting a new flavor, Tropical Fruit, and a fresh summer campaign. Tropical Fruit ($11 a 750-ml.) joins Blueberry Lemonade, Peach, Coconut, Key Lime, Banana and Guava among others in the Cruzan flavor lineup. The brand’s new campaign, “Cruzan Bucket List,” invites consumers to build their own bucket list for the chance to a win trip to St. Croix, where the Cruzan Rum Distillery is based. Cruzan Tropical Fruit is available nationwide. In addition to its flavored rums, Cruzan also includes premium rum expressions such as Single Barrel and Estate Diamond Light and Dark.

Tagged : Cruzan Rum, Maison Joseph Drouhin, Ruca Malen, Total Wine & More

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