News Briefs for June 3, 2020

•Eleven Binny’s Beverage Depot locations throughout Chicagoland were looted amid protests and public unrest last weekend, the retailer confirmed to SND. Wine and spirits were stolen, and windows and displays were smashed. According to Fox’s Chicago affiliate, five of the looted stores were located in downtown Chicago, Hyde Park, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, and South Loop, respectively. The first of the break-ins was reported at 9pm Saturday night and continued through Sunday. On Sunday night, a man was shot and wounded in the right arm while standing guard outside a Binny’s location in Avondale, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

•San Francisco-based Hotaling & Co. has added Walsh Whiskey to its spirits portfolio, effective immediately. The move brings both the Irishman and Writers’ Tears whiskies into the Hotaling fold, alongside its existing brands like Dingle Irish whiskey, Hirsch Selected Whiskeys, and Old Pulteney, among others. Hotaling & Co. is now responsible for the brands’ general and limited releases, including the Irishman Founder’s Reserve, Writers’ Tears Copper Pot, and both brands’ yearly cask strength expressions.

•Napa, California-based importer and marketer Quintessential Wines has launched a new Italian-inspired red wine. A blend of Napa-sourced Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2017 Fratelli American Super Tuscan was made by winemaker Robert Pepi and retails at $30 a 750-ml. The brand’s name means “brothers” in Italian, alluding to the father-and-sons leadership team behind Quintessential. In addition to Fratelli, Quintessential’s portfolio also includes another Napa-based proprietary label, Samuel Charles.

•While this year’s Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America convention was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, WSWA has launched a virtual marketplace to showcase the brands and companies that would have been featured. The website—wswa20.mapyourshow.com—provides contact information, product descriptions, and other info for each company that planned to exhibit at the convention. In addition, users can filter the list of attendees by new products in order to see the latest offerings available.

•U.K.-based Salcombe Distillery is launching its two signature gin labels, Salcombe Gin Start Point and Salcombe Gin Rosé Sainte Marie, in the U.S. this summer. Start Point (44% abv) is a classic citrus-led London Dry gin, while Rosé Sainte Marie (41.4% abv) is an all-natural pink gin with notes of fresh strawberries, lemon thyme, and orange blossom, with no added sugar, artificial colors, or flavorings. Both labels are retail-priced at $40 a 750-ml. Initial markets for Salcombe will be New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. The brand is handled in the U.S. by Park Street Importers.

•M.S. Walker has been named the exclusive distributor of Italy’s Borgogno in New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. The company will also handle the brand in Massachusetts, though not on an exclusive basis. Imported by Ethica Wines, Borgogno’s range includes its flagship Barolo ($80 a 750-ml.), No Name Nebbiolo ($45), Langhe Nebbiolo ($35), Barbera d’Alba ($24), and Dolcetto d’Alba ($20).

Tagged : Binny's, Hotaling & Co., M.S. Walker, Quintessential Wines, Salcombe Distillery, Walsh Whiskey, WSWA

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