News Briefs for December 16, 2021

•Beam Suntory and parent company Suntory Holdings have announced a $1 million donation to aid in disaster relief for Kentucky and other states in the region. The money will be split 50/50 between the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund and the American Red Cross disaster relief fund. In addition Beam Suntory is matching employee donations to relief organizations and Maker’s Mark and Knob Creek have donated barrels of Bourbon to a charity auction organized by the Kentucky Distillers Association. The company also notes that a number of its employees are using company-sponsored paid volunteer days to directly assist on the ground.

•Moet Hennessy has named Manuel Reman as president of Maison Krug, effective April 1, 2022. Reman joined Moet Hennessy in 2005 and is currently managing director of Champagne Services for the luxury drinks company. He takes over for Maggie Henriquez, who is departing after a 12-year tenure running the prestige Champagne house. Henriquez and Reman will work together leading up to April 1 to ensure a smooth transition.

•Spanish wine region Rías Baixas reported record annual sales of Albariño white wine in the U.S., according to the Consejo Regulador of D.O. Rías Baixas, the region’s official governing body. In the 12 months ending September 1, U.S. sales grew 13% by volume to reach nearly 2.6 million liters (290,000 9-liter cases) and 16.8% by value to $17.3 million. The U.S. is the leading destination of Rías Baixas wines, constituting a 27.5% share by volume. The U.K. followed just behind at 2.4 million liters during the period, with Ireland, The Netherlands, and Canada following. Overall, the region exported 9.3 million liters (1 million cases) during the 12 months for a total value of $59 million, up 12% by volume and 14% by value.

•Aviation gin has expanded its partnership with Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, signing a new deal to bring the American gin to Virgin Voyages, Branson’s cruise line. The deal will give Aviation prominent placement on Virgin’s Scarlet Lady, an adults-only cruise ship, with each of the ship’s restaurants and bars featuring cocktails made with Aviation gin. The companies teamed up with Bar Lab and the Cocktail Cartel, along with individual mixologists like Charles Joly and Julia Momose, to create the menus. Last year, Diageo acquired Aviation, along with parent company Davos Brands, in a deal worth up to $610 million.

Tagged : Aviation, Beam Suntory, Krug Champagne, Maker's Mark American Gin, Moet Hennessy, Rias Baixas

GET YOUR FIRST LOOK AT 2021 DATA AND 2022 PROJECTIONS FOR THE WINE AND SPIRITS INDUSTRIES. ORDER YOUR 2022 IMPACT DATABANK REPORTS. CLICK HERE.