Wine & Spirits Headline Roundup
USA TODAY DEBATES LOWERING THE DRINKING AGE
Several states are considering lowering the drinking age, according to a report in USA Today. Kentucky, Wisconsin and South Carolina have introduced legislation that would lower the drinking age for military personnel only. A planned ballot initiative in Missouri would apply to everyone 18 and older. An initiative in the works in South Dakota would allow all 19- and 20-year-olds to buy low-alcohol beer, and Vermont is considering a task force to study the issue. In addition, a Minnesota bill would allow anyone 18 and older to buy alcohol in bars or restaurants, but not in liquor stores until they're 21.
MADD is obviously against the measures and will fight proponents tooth and nail. Supporters will also face opposition from congress which voted in 1984 to penalize states that set the drinking age below 21 by forfeiting 10% of their federal highway funds.
FRENCH COURT FINES ROBERT PARKER
Robert Parker was fined by a French court Friday for making allegedly false accusations against a former colleague who basically trashed him in a recent book, according to the AFP. His former assistant Hanna Agostini accused Parker of making catalogue errors and favoring friends in the 2007 book Anatomy of a Myth.
Parker responded by writing on his website that Agostini committed wine-related fraud in the past and faced five years in jail and a fine of $1.54 million. Agostini’s lawyer, however, says his client was placed under investigation in 2005 for falsifying documents, not fraud. As a result, a French court found Parker guilty of violating the presumption of innocence against Agostini and must pay a 2,000 euro fine.
MIKE GRGICH JOINS HALL OF FAME
Napa Valley winemaker Miljenko “Mike” Grgich was inducted into the Vintner Hall of Fame on March 7, reports the Napa Valley Register. Mike is also celebrating making his 50th Napa Valley vintage.
After Mike arrived in Napa Valley in 1958, he worked for some of Napa’s best-known wineries: Souverain, Christian Brothers, Beaulieu Vineyards and Robert Mondavi Winery. Afterwards, Mike became winemaker at Chateau Montelena where he developed the Chardonnay that beat renowned French white wines in the 1976 Paris Tasting.
VILLAGES NEAR THE CHAMPAGNE REGION of France will soon find out if they made the cut in the region’s new expansion plan. France's national appellation body, INAO, will reportedly release the official list within two weeks, according to Drinks International. French officials, meanwhile, are preparing for an onslaught of protests from the villages left behind. Last week, INAO approved 40 new villages in order to expand the Champagne growing area as authorities strive to increase Champagne production and better meet global demand.
THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE FEATURED A STORY ON ROCKY WIRTZ, Bill Wirtz’s son, who is now chairman of the Chicago Blackhawks and president of Wirtz Corp. (which owns Judge & Dolph). As you’ll recall, Bill passed away last year, leaving a long legacy behind in the alcohol beverage industry. To view the interesting article, click here.
COLORADO LEGISLATURE REPEALED ITS BAN on Sunday alcohol sales after passing SB 82 last week. The bill now awaits Governor Ritter’s signature. If passed, it will become effective July 1, 2008 and Colorado will become the 35th state to pass Sunday spirits sales.
MYSTIQUE BRANDS HAS ACQUIRED the importing rights for Barsol Pisco,
“the other white spirit,” from South American company Bodega San Isidro. Pisco is the local drink of Peru and distilled from Muscat-style grapes. Barsol Pisco is available in Barsol Pisco – Quebranta (Red Label) and Barsol Pisco Acholado (Blue Label). Mystique says it will implement a “strong on-premise strategy in US key metropolitan cities.”
Until tomorrow, Megan
“Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.”
Mark Twain
--------- Sell Day Calendar ----------
Today's Sell Day: 16
Sell days this month: 21
Sell days this month last year: 22
This month ends on a: Mon.
This month last year ended on a: Fri.
YTD sell days Over/Under: +1
Several states are considering lowering the drinking age, according to a report in USA Today. Kentucky, Wisconsin and South Carolina have introduced legislation that would lower the drinking age for military personnel only. A planned ballot initiative in Missouri would apply to everyone 18 and older. An initiative in the works in South Dakota would allow all 19- and 20-year-olds to buy low-alcohol beer, and Vermont is considering a task force to study the issue. In addition, a Minnesota bill would allow anyone 18 and older to buy alcohol in bars or restaurants, but not in liquor stores until they're 21.
MADD is obviously against the measures and will fight proponents tooth and nail. Supporters will also face opposition from congress which voted in 1984 to penalize states that set the drinking age below 21 by forfeiting 10% of their federal highway funds.
FRENCH COURT FINES ROBERT PARKER
Robert Parker was fined by a French court Friday for making allegedly false accusations against a former colleague who basically trashed him in a recent book, according to the AFP. His former assistant Hanna Agostini accused Parker of making catalogue errors and favoring friends in the 2007 book Anatomy of a Myth.
Parker responded by writing on his website that Agostini committed wine-related fraud in the past and faced five years in jail and a fine of $1.54 million. Agostini’s lawyer, however, says his client was placed under investigation in 2005 for falsifying documents, not fraud. As a result, a French court found Parker guilty of violating the presumption of innocence against Agostini and must pay a 2,000 euro fine.
MIKE GRGICH JOINS HALL OF FAME
Napa Valley winemaker Miljenko “Mike” Grgich was inducted into the Vintner Hall of Fame on March 7, reports the Napa Valley Register. Mike is also celebrating making his 50th Napa Valley vintage.
After Mike arrived in Napa Valley in 1958, he worked for some of Napa’s best-known wineries: Souverain, Christian Brothers, Beaulieu Vineyards and Robert Mondavi Winery. Afterwards, Mike became winemaker at Chateau Montelena where he developed the Chardonnay that beat renowned French white wines in the 1976 Paris Tasting.
VILLAGES NEAR THE CHAMPAGNE REGION of France will soon find out if they made the cut in the region’s new expansion plan. France's national appellation body, INAO, will reportedly release the official list within two weeks, according to Drinks International. French officials, meanwhile, are preparing for an onslaught of protests from the villages left behind. Last week, INAO approved 40 new villages in order to expand the Champagne growing area as authorities strive to increase Champagne production and better meet global demand.
THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE FEATURED A STORY ON ROCKY WIRTZ, Bill Wirtz’s son, who is now chairman of the Chicago Blackhawks and president of Wirtz Corp. (which owns Judge & Dolph). As you’ll recall, Bill passed away last year, leaving a long legacy behind in the alcohol beverage industry. To view the interesting article, click here.
COLORADO LEGISLATURE REPEALED ITS BAN on Sunday alcohol sales after passing SB 82 last week. The bill now awaits Governor Ritter’s signature. If passed, it will become effective July 1, 2008 and Colorado will become the 35th state to pass Sunday spirits sales.
MYSTIQUE BRANDS HAS ACQUIRED the importing rights for Barsol Pisco,
“the other white spirit,” from South American company Bodega San Isidro. Pisco is the local drink of Peru and distilled from Muscat-style grapes. Barsol Pisco is available in Barsol Pisco – Quebranta (Red Label) and Barsol Pisco Acholado (Blue Label). Mystique says it will implement a “strong on-premise strategy in US key metropolitan cities.”
Until tomorrow, Megan
“Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.”
Mark Twain
--------- Sell Day Calendar ----------
Today's Sell Day: 16
Sell days this month: 21
Sell days this month last year: 22
This month ends on a: Mon.
This month last year ended on a: Fri.
YTD sell days Over/Under: +1
posted at 9:41 AM
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