More than 140 government officials and industry representatives met last week as part of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation’s Wine Regulatory Forum Technical Workshop. Held in Washington, D.C., the three-day international conference—representing 21 countries—was lead by the Wine Institute and the U.S. government, and continued efforts to expand the Pacific Rim wine trade by sharing regulatory practices on wine certification, analysis and winemaking practices, while also attempting to streamline import-export requirements.
Beginning in April 2014, Michigan-based craft brewery Bell’s Brewery will be releasing its Two Hearted Ale and Oberon Ale in cans. Sold in four-packs of 16-ounce cans, the brews will be available in all markets where Bell’s is currently distributed. The brewery also plans to release cans of its seasonal Best Brown Ale, Winter White Ale and Smitten Golden Rye Ale.
Brown-Forman is launching its Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select in additional U.S. markets. The 90-proof whiskey was previously available only in Tennessee and through duty-free outlets, but the launch will make the offering available in Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, San Francisco and New Jersey. Priced at $165, the 90-proof whiskey is aged in Sinatra barrels, which feature grooves meant to increase barrel-liquid contact.
Vision Wine & Spirits LLC has announced that it has been named the importer for STLTO Wines (pronounced stiletto). The STLTO lineup includes a Prosecco, Pinot Grigio and Merlot, and is created by an all-woman team from the Libertore family in Abruzzo, Italy.
Pernod Ricard USA announced several management appointments in its Wines and Champagnes division last week: Jeff Agdern—who most recently served as Vice President, Wine and Spirits Marketing at Pernod Ricard’s Canadian sister company, Corby Spirit and Wine Limited—has been named Senior Vice President, Wines and Champagnes. He is joined by Mike Hermann (VP, Sales, Wines and Champagnes) and Jo Adamo (VP, Marketing, Wines and Champagnes). The appointments signal a move by the company to grow its sparkling and Champagne portfolios.
On November 15 and 16, Golden Nugget Atlantic City hosted its first American Craft Whiskey Festival. Over 550 people attended the festival over the course of two days, which featured Masters of Whiskey Kevin Loser, Sean O’Rourke, Cheetah Fletcher and more. The Grand Tasting Experience offered 10 different sample tastings of artisan whiskies and barrel aged barley beers. Participating distilleries included: Bulleit Bourbon, George Dickel, Dad’s Hat, Death’s Door, Journeyman, Pendleton, New York Distilling, Hochstadter’s, Prichard’s, Redemption, James E Pepper, Jim Beam, Jack Daniels, Makers Mark, Filibuster, High West, Berkshire Mountain, Hirsh, Old Pogue, Rough Rider, Michters, Clyde Mays, Angel Envy, Woodford, 1792, Buffalo Trace, Blanton’s, Hudson, W.H. Harrison, XXX Shine, Midnight Moon, Art in the Age Craft Spirits Company, Firestone Walker Brewing Co. and Anderson Valley Brewing Co.