Discus Urges Standard Drink Labels
Discus along with other consumer and public health groups (MADD, Consumer Federation of America, Dr. C. Everett Koop’s Shape Up America! and National Consumers League) is urging the TTB to reevaluate it proposal for alcoholic drink labels.
Under the TTB’s current proposal, companies would not be required to disclose the amount of alcohol per serving. The proposal would also prohibit a company from featuring “standard drink” information on labels. A “standard drink,” according to Discus, equals 1.5 fluid ounces for 80-proof distilled spirits, 12 fluid ounces for beer and 5 fluid ounces of wine. Spirits companies are in favor of the “standard drink” label because it dispels the idea that spirits are stronger then beer and wine.
Instead, the TTB would require that companies include nutritional information (carbs, calories, fat, ingredients) on the back of labels, much like you find on the back of all food and non-alcohol drink products.
The beer and wine industries are generally against the proposal for several reasons. One, a nutritional label would be expensive, particularly for small brewers and wineries. Two, they argue the “serving size” is misleading because the average consumer will drink more then what is suggested. Nutritional information also shines a negative light on beer and wine because they generally have more calories, for example, then a shot of liquor (without the mixer).
“We agree with public health organizations and consumers groups that alcohol per serving and standard drink information should be on any serving facts panel – not just the amount of calories, fat, carbohydrate, and protein,” said Peter H. Cressy, president of Discus.
In all, Discus wants the TTB to make the following changes:
1.) Serving sizes are 1.5 fluid ounces for 80-proof distilled spirits, 12 fluid ounces for beer, 5 fluid ounces of wine
2.) The amount of alcohol per serving is required to be disclosed in the “Serving Facts” panel
3.) The text in the panel states “a standard drink contains 0.6 fluid ounces of alcohol.”
MAINE DOUBLES WINE TAX
Maine Governor John Bladacci signed a bill that dramatically increases the tax on soda, beer and wine to help pay for a state health insurance program for small businesses and the self-employed. Excise taxes on beer will increase from 42 cents per gallon to 54 cents per gallon; wine excise taxes go from 30 cents to 65 cents per gallon; the syrup used to make soda will be taxed at $4 per gallon, and bottled soda will be taxed at 42 cents per gallon. The new revenues will be used to help fund a state health insurance program, Dirigo, the state motto.
DIAGEO LEADS MILLWARD BROWN TOP 10 BRANDZ
Diageo’s premium brands monopolized the first Millward Brown top 100 Brandz report for global spirits in 2008. Smirnoff took the lead, followed by Bacardi, Jose Cuervo, Johnnie Walker and Baileys. The top three markets for Smirnoff were the U.S., Great Britain and Canada.
Making up the rest of the top ten list was: Jack Daniels (#6), Absolut (#7), Chivas (#8), Gordon's (#9) and (#10) Martini.
NEW WINE TELEMARKETER SPRINGS UP IN CALIFORNIA
Jeff Stevenson (former venture capitalist turned vintner) and Richard Brucker (wine telemarketer) have launched a new wine telemarketing company, Provino Premium Wines, aimed at helping boutique winemakers spread the word and sell their wines. Provino was launched earlier this month, according to North Bay Business Journal, with a dozen artisan wineries. The company plans to double the wineries in the first three months.
Provino has hired Garrett Day, formerly the buyer for Michigan-based online wine retailer WineBuys.com and Napa's Ambrosia Catalogue of Fine Wine, now called The Winetast-ing Network. In addition, Provino plans to start with six contract salespeople who will be able to earn a stake in the firm.
A NEW WAY TO TRAVEL WITH WINE
I was at the airport on my way to Napa the day the TSA banned all liquids on airplanes (much to my dismay). On the way home I stored the wine I had bought in my checked luggage, wrapped in clothes and surrounding by shoes. Luckily nothing broke. However, there are now simpler ways to check wine bottles if you decide not to ship them home.
BottleWise Duo (designed by BottleWise) allows travelers to safely transport wine inside their checked luggage. You can check out the features at bottlewise.com.
In a survey conducted by BottleWise, the company found that 25% of people no longer buy wine when they are traveling by air. A little over 40% wrap bottles in clothing or bubble wrap and place it in their checked luggage. Only 18% ask the winery to ship the wine directly to them, while 10.4% reported no impact because they never travel with wine.
FREEZING TEMPS COULD SPELL TROUBLE FOR NORTH COAST VINTNERS
Frosty temperatures along the North Coast in California have kept vintners busy with frost-protecting devices, such as water sprinklers and wind machines in March and April. The extent of the damage won’t be known for several weeks, however. The worse case scenario? The early freeze could potentially result in a grape shortage. Stay tuned...
WSD BRIEFS:
ESTONIAN VODKA, SAAGA 1763, recently debuted in New York, California, Texas and Florida, as well as duty-free markets, at an estimated national average retail price of $33.99.
per 750-ml. Saaga 1763 is being distributed by Lieber Brothers in New York, Mexcor International in Texas, Prana in Florida and MHW Importers in California. Saaga is advertising in lifestyle publications, trade outlets and through word-of-mouth in the industry.
ORZEL VODKA, a premium vodka launched by Heritage Brands of Fort Lauderdale, is slowly making its way through the U.S. Produced in Poland by Polmos Lublin, Orzel will premier in Miami Beach today and hit Florida stores this week. It will also be sold in New York, New Jersey, Texas, California, Illinois and Georgia.
SAKE2ME, the first single-serve, ready-to-drink infused sake drink, is making its debut in Texas. Sake2Me is already distributed in California and Wyoming, and will soon make its way to Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Washington, Oregon, Hawaii, Montana and Michigan.
SONOMA-CUTRER WILL ONLY OFFER STELVIN SCREWCAPS at restaurants in Texas and Nevada for its vintage 2006 Russian River Ranches Chardonnay.
Until tomorrow, Megan
“To be stupid, selfish, and have good health are three requirements for happiness, though if stupidity is lacking, all is lost.”
Gustave Flaubert
--------- Sell Day Calendar ----------
Today's Sell Day: 16
Sell days this month: 22
Sell days this month last year: 21
This month ends on a: Wed.
This month last year ended on a: Mon.
YTD sell days Over/Under: 0
WINE & SPIRITS DAILY
Subscribe or check back issues at: www.winespiritsdaily.com
Send news and comments in confidence to: megan@winespiritsdaily.com
© 2008 Wine & Spirits Daily, all rights reserved. May quote with attribution.
Under the TTB’s current proposal, companies would not be required to disclose the amount of alcohol per serving. The proposal would also prohibit a company from featuring “standard drink” information on labels. A “standard drink,” according to Discus, equals 1.5 fluid ounces for 80-proof distilled spirits, 12 fluid ounces for beer and 5 fluid ounces of wine. Spirits companies are in favor of the “standard drink” label because it dispels the idea that spirits are stronger then beer and wine.
Instead, the TTB would require that companies include nutritional information (carbs, calories, fat, ingredients) on the back of labels, much like you find on the back of all food and non-alcohol drink products.
The beer and wine industries are generally against the proposal for several reasons. One, a nutritional label would be expensive, particularly for small brewers and wineries. Two, they argue the “serving size” is misleading because the average consumer will drink more then what is suggested. Nutritional information also shines a negative light on beer and wine because they generally have more calories, for example, then a shot of liquor (without the mixer).
“We agree with public health organizations and consumers groups that alcohol per serving and standard drink information should be on any serving facts panel – not just the amount of calories, fat, carbohydrate, and protein,” said Peter H. Cressy, president of Discus.
In all, Discus wants the TTB to make the following changes:
1.) Serving sizes are 1.5 fluid ounces for 80-proof distilled spirits, 12 fluid ounces for beer, 5 fluid ounces of wine
2.) The amount of alcohol per serving is required to be disclosed in the “Serving Facts” panel
3.) The text in the panel states “a standard drink contains 0.6 fluid ounces of alcohol.”
MAINE DOUBLES WINE TAX
Maine Governor John Bladacci signed a bill that dramatically increases the tax on soda, beer and wine to help pay for a state health insurance program for small businesses and the self-employed. Excise taxes on beer will increase from 42 cents per gallon to 54 cents per gallon; wine excise taxes go from 30 cents to 65 cents per gallon; the syrup used to make soda will be taxed at $4 per gallon, and bottled soda will be taxed at 42 cents per gallon. The new revenues will be used to help fund a state health insurance program, Dirigo, the state motto.
DIAGEO LEADS MILLWARD BROWN TOP 10 BRANDZ
Diageo’s premium brands monopolized the first Millward Brown top 100 Brandz report for global spirits in 2008. Smirnoff took the lead, followed by Bacardi, Jose Cuervo, Johnnie Walker and Baileys. The top three markets for Smirnoff were the U.S., Great Britain and Canada.
Making up the rest of the top ten list was: Jack Daniels (#6), Absolut (#7), Chivas (#8), Gordon's (#9) and (#10) Martini.
NEW WINE TELEMARKETER SPRINGS UP IN CALIFORNIA
Jeff Stevenson (former venture capitalist turned vintner) and Richard Brucker (wine telemarketer) have launched a new wine telemarketing company, Provino Premium Wines, aimed at helping boutique winemakers spread the word and sell their wines. Provino was launched earlier this month, according to North Bay Business Journal, with a dozen artisan wineries. The company plans to double the wineries in the first three months.
Provino has hired Garrett Day, formerly the buyer for Michigan-based online wine retailer WineBuys.com and Napa's Ambrosia Catalogue of Fine Wine, now called The Winetast-ing Network. In addition, Provino plans to start with six contract salespeople who will be able to earn a stake in the firm.
A NEW WAY TO TRAVEL WITH WINE
I was at the airport on my way to Napa the day the TSA banned all liquids on airplanes (much to my dismay). On the way home I stored the wine I had bought in my checked luggage, wrapped in clothes and surrounding by shoes. Luckily nothing broke. However, there are now simpler ways to check wine bottles if you decide not to ship them home.
BottleWise Duo (designed by BottleWise) allows travelers to safely transport wine inside their checked luggage. You can check out the features at bottlewise.com.
In a survey conducted by BottleWise, the company found that 25% of people no longer buy wine when they are traveling by air. A little over 40% wrap bottles in clothing or bubble wrap and place it in their checked luggage. Only 18% ask the winery to ship the wine directly to them, while 10.4% reported no impact because they never travel with wine.
FREEZING TEMPS COULD SPELL TROUBLE FOR NORTH COAST VINTNERS
Frosty temperatures along the North Coast in California have kept vintners busy with frost-protecting devices, such as water sprinklers and wind machines in March and April. The extent of the damage won’t be known for several weeks, however. The worse case scenario? The early freeze could potentially result in a grape shortage. Stay tuned...
WSD BRIEFS:
ESTONIAN VODKA, SAAGA 1763, recently debuted in New York, California, Texas and Florida, as well as duty-free markets, at an estimated national average retail price of $33.99.
per 750-ml. Saaga 1763 is being distributed by Lieber Brothers in New York, Mexcor International in Texas, Prana in Florida and MHW Importers in California. Saaga is advertising in lifestyle publications, trade outlets and through word-of-mouth in the industry.
ORZEL VODKA, a premium vodka launched by Heritage Brands of Fort Lauderdale, is slowly making its way through the U.S. Produced in Poland by Polmos Lublin, Orzel will premier in Miami Beach today and hit Florida stores this week. It will also be sold in New York, New Jersey, Texas, California, Illinois and Georgia.
SAKE2ME, the first single-serve, ready-to-drink infused sake drink, is making its debut in Texas. Sake2Me is already distributed in California and Wyoming, and will soon make its way to Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Washington, Oregon, Hawaii, Montana and Michigan.
SONOMA-CUTRER WILL ONLY OFFER STELVIN SCREWCAPS at restaurants in Texas and Nevada for its vintage 2006 Russian River Ranches Chardonnay.
Until tomorrow, Megan
“To be stupid, selfish, and have good health are three requirements for happiness, though if stupidity is lacking, all is lost.”
Gustave Flaubert
--------- Sell Day Calendar ----------
Today's Sell Day: 16
Sell days this month: 22
Sell days this month last year: 21
This month ends on a: Wed.
This month last year ended on a: Mon.
YTD sell days Over/Under: 0
WINE & SPIRITS DAILY
Subscribe or check back issues at: www.winespiritsdaily.com
Send news and comments in confidence to: megan@winespiritsdaily.com
© 2008 Wine & Spirits Daily, all rights reserved. May quote with attribution.
posted at 11:08 AM
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