News Briefs for April 21, 2022

•Grupo Baron de Ley is debuting a new Organic Crianza expression under its El Coto brand from Rioja. In addition to being organic, the new entry has a lighter bottle and more sustainable packaging for its label, capsule, and outer shipper. El Coto Organic Crianza will be available this spring through U.S. importer Opici, retailing at around $19 a bottle. Grupo Baron de Ley is the largest winegrower within the DOCa Rioja.

•Diageo has announced Fable & Folly Finest Quality Whiskey Aged 14 Years, the latest release from the Orphan Barrel Whiskey brand. The new bottling is a blend of previous Orphan Barrel releases including the last remaining whiskies used for Forged Oak, Barterhouse, and a number of the Rhetoric whiskies, with other whiskies from Diageo’s stable added. Fable & Folly is bottled at 45% abv and is available across the U.S. in limited quantities for a suggested price of $150 a 750-ml.

•Betty Buzz, the mixer brand from actress Blake Lively, kicks off its first video ad campaign today. The ad highlights the brand’s high carbonation and tiny bubbles, and will run on streaming services and social media. Betty Buzz comes in five flavors—Tonic Water, Meyer Lemon Club Soda, Sparkling Lemon Lime, Sparkling Grapefruit, and Ginger Beer—and is available across the U.S., including in chains like Total Wine, Safeway, and Kroger, among others. Each flavor is available in 4-packs of 9-ounce bottles.

•Healdsburg, California-based Rodney Strong Vineyards is introducing a new Sonoma County Red Blend. The inaugural 2019 vintage is made predominantly of Merlot, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc making up the rest of the blend. In addition to its namesake brand, Rodney Strong Vineyards’ offerings include Davis Bynum Wines, Knotty Vines, Upshot Wines, and Rowen Wine Company. Its holdings include 11 estate vineyards across Sonoma County.

•M.S. Walker Brands has announced the nationwide expansion of the Grand Mayan Tequila line with the introduction of two new super-premium additions, Grand Mayan Extra Aged and Grand Mayan 5 Year Ultra Aged Limited Edition. Both are 100%-agave Tequilas distilled twice in copper pot stills. Grand Mayan Extra Aged ($120) is rested in ex-Bourbon and ex-Cognac barrels for up to 5 years. Grand Mayan 5 Year Ultra Aged Limited Edition ($250) is rested in ex-Bourbon and ex-Cognac casks for a minimum of 5 years and comes in a handcrafted gift box.

•Freshie Organic Tequila Seltzer is entering the Florida market, distributed by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. Freshie is made from organic Tequila, mineral water, organic lime essence, and organic agave nectar. The brand launched in the Chicago area in 2021 with one SKU (lime) and is now in more than 1,000 retailers and restaurants. Freshie 4-packs of 12-ounce cans retail at $11.

Tagged : Betty Buzz, Diageo, El Coto, Freshie Organic, Grand Mayan, Grupo Baron de Ley, M.S. Walker, Orphan Barrel, Rodney Strong Vineyards

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