News Briefs for December 17, 2021

•French distiller and distributor Maison Villevert has taken a majority stake in Cognac Grosperrin, which specializes in vintage, rare, and small batch releases. Both companies will maintain their existing routes to market with Maison Villevert exploring new opportunities via their international distribution network. Terms were not disclosed. The move follows Maison Villevert’s acquisition of Celtic Whiskey Distillerie last year. “Maison Villevert shares the same unique history and passion for Cognac’s regional heritage and our partnership initiates a real drive to grow our brown spirit repertoire by progressing further into the world of ultra-premium Cognacs,” said Jean-Sébastien Robicquet, founder and director of Maison Villevert.

•Sandeman Port is releasing new limited-edition packaging for its Founder’s Reserve Ruby Port. The brand partnered with Portuguese artist Camila Nogueira to create a design for the Port’s canister. Her design is called Sandeman Paradise and features couples dancing and sitting in the woods in classical Grecian garb against deep purple and blue backgrounds. It’s the second canister of its kind, following the first from Portuguese street artist Mário Belém. Nogueira’s canister is now available nationally in the U.S. at wine retailers for around $22 a 750-ml. Sandeman Port is part of Sogrape.

•Patrón Tequila is partnering with musician Michelle Zauner on a Patrón x Japanese Breakfast Cocktail Courier Kit. Zauner is the frontwoman for indie rock band Japanese Breakfast and also wrote the memoir Crying In H Mart, released earlier this year. The cocktail kit contains ingredients to make a persimmon Paloma along with custom chopsticks, coasters, and a bar towel. The kit makes eight cocktails and is available for purchase now for a limited time for $75.

•MGM Resorts International, a collection of hospitality venues across the globe, named Douglas Kim as its new wine director this month. Kim now oversees the wine programs for hundreds of concepts including four Wine Spectator Grand Award winners at the company’s lauded Las Vegas casino-resorts such as Bellagio and MGM Grand. He’s been with the company for 11 years and previously held positions at two of those Grand Award winners: First as sommelier at Mandalay Bay’s Aureole and then wine director at Bellagio’s Picasso. Both feature wine lists of more than 1,500 labels. Wine Spectator has more.

Tagged : Cognac, Maison Villevert, MGM Resorts, Patrón, Sandeman

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