Industry Squabbles Over Standard Drink
As WSD reported yesterday, the Distilled Spirits Council (DISCUS) issued a press release urging the TTB to alter its proposed requirements for alcoholic drink labels. Mainly, Discus and other consumer and trade advocate groups want labels to list the amount of alcohol per serving, the definition of a standard drink and the U.S. dietary guidelines on drinking.
A newspaper ad campaign launched yesterday (April 22) and was signed by 18 public health, nutrition and consumer organizations and officials urged Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson to change the labels on alcoholic drinks to include such information along with the products' nutritional details.
The TTB’s current proposal only requires 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.
Other trade groups, including the California Wine Institute and the Beer Institute, disagree with Discus and think labeling the amount of alcohol per serving could confuse consumers. Here’s what they had to say, according to the Associated Press:
"Use of fractional measurements of beverage volume and absolute alcohol content to prepare drinks or to make product comparisons requires complex calculations," the Beer Institute said in its January comments to Treasury, adding that this is "likely to mislead consumers."
Both trade groups also feel the standard drink size information does not have meaning for consumers, especially when they order a mixed drink in a bar.
Wendell Lee, general counsel for the Wine Institute said "Consumers may think they're getting a standard drink" at the bar but "it's not what happens in the real world."
TERLATO FAMILY INTRODUCES LUKE DONALD WINES
Terlato Wines has launched a new California wine in partnership with professional golfer Luke Donald. The new brand, named Luke Donald Collection, includes a Claret-style red wine blend from Napa Valley to release in April 2008 and a Chardonnay that will be released in March of 2009. Bill Terlato and Luke Donald are “longstanding” friends, according to the company, which helped inspire the new collection.
“We considered the possibility of making a wine together several years back," said Terlato. "Luke was always interested in fine wine and food, and expressed his interest in learning more about the winemaking process...We weren't interested in a celebrity endorser. We wanted Luke to be involved in the development of the wine from start to finish.”
The grapes used in crafting the Luke Donald Claret are 100% Napa Valley fruit, sourced primarily from renowned Napa Valley vineyards, including the Rutherford and Stags Leap District appellations. Suggested retail price is $40. A Luke Donald Collection Chardonnay from Carneros is scheduled to be released in spring 2009.
EOS Estate Winery Hires Director of Winemaking
The EOS Estate Winery of Paso Robles announced that Nathan Carlson will serve as its Director of Winemaking. In this capacity, Carlson will lead EOS’s winemaking teams, overseeing production of the Central Coast wine portfolios. Carlson has more than 10 years of winemaking experience on the Central Coast, most recently managing the two million gallon facility at Tolosa Estate.
In other news, EOS will complete a $5.3 million project this summer to convert its entire facility to solar power.
“EOS has taken a bold step to become the first large winery in Paso Robles to commit to using only solar power,” the company said.
TEQUILA HERRADURA OFFICIAL TEQUILA OF KENTUCKY DERBY
Churchill Downs has selected Tequila Herradura as the “Official Tequila for Kentucky Derby 134”, becoming the first tequila maker to sponsor the Derby. Herradura, which translates to horseshoe in Spanish, will join other official Brown-Forman brands at the Kentucky Derby 134 and Churchill Downs’ Derby-related events, including Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Early Times Mint Julep, Finlandia Vodka, Korbel California Champagne and Fetzer Wines.
PANNOTIA VINEYARDS UNVEILS GERMAN RIESLING
Pannotia Vineyards is releasing a German Riesling to help round out its international portfolio. Pannotia Vineyards Riesling 2007 debunks the too-sweet myth of traditional Riesling varieties, making it drier than most other Rieslings without losing any of Riesling's richness or character, says the company. Pannotia Riesling comes from the Rheinhessen region. It is priced at $11.99 and will be available nationally June 1, 2008.
EUROPEAN DRUGMAKER BUYS RESVERATROL COMPOUND
GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Europe's biggest drugmaker, agreed to buy Sirtris Pharmaceuticals Inc. for about $720 million. Sirtris, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, develops drugs that activate sirtuins, a class of enzymes involved in aging, Bloomberg is reporting. Its most advanced compound is a formulation of resveratrol, a substance found in red wine and plants that is thought to slow the effects of aging. Glaxo will get a foothold in a new area of research that may lead to treatments for diabetes, muscle wasting and neurodegeneration, the company said.
WSD BRIEF:
NYC STATE LIQUOR AUTHORITY is reportedly supporting community boards that approve liquor licenses only if the establishment closes by 2am. This means that more NYC bars could potentially be forced to close before the traditional 4am, reports the New York Post.
Until tomorrow, Megan
“It's amazing that the amount of news that happens in the world every day always just exactly fits the newspaper.”
Jerry Seinfeld
--------- Sell Day Calendar ----------
Today's Sell Day: 17
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.
A newspaper ad campaign launched yesterday (April 22) and was signed by 18 public health, nutrition and consumer organizations and officials urged Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson to change the labels on alcoholic drinks to include such information along with the products' nutritional details.
The TTB’s current proposal only requires 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.
Other trade groups, including the California Wine Institute and the Beer Institute, disagree with Discus and think labeling the amount of alcohol per serving could confuse consumers. Here’s what they had to say, according to the Associated Press:
"Use of fractional measurements of beverage volume and absolute alcohol content to prepare drinks or to make product comparisons requires complex calculations," the Beer Institute said in its January comments to Treasury, adding that this is "likely to mislead consumers."
Both trade groups also feel the standard drink size information does not have meaning for consumers, especially when they order a mixed drink in a bar.
Wendell Lee, general counsel for the Wine Institute said "Consumers may think they're getting a standard drink" at the bar but "it's not what happens in the real world."
TERLATO FAMILY INTRODUCES LUKE DONALD WINES
Terlato Wines has launched a new California wine in partnership with professional golfer Luke Donald. The new brand, named Luke Donald Collection, includes a Claret-style red wine blend from Napa Valley to release in April 2008 and a Chardonnay that will be released in March of 2009. Bill Terlato and Luke Donald are “longstanding” friends, according to the company, which helped inspire the new collection.
“We considered the possibility of making a wine together several years back," said Terlato. "Luke was always interested in fine wine and food, and expressed his interest in learning more about the winemaking process...We weren't interested in a celebrity endorser. We wanted Luke to be involved in the development of the wine from start to finish.”
The grapes used in crafting the Luke Donald Claret are 100% Napa Valley fruit, sourced primarily from renowned Napa Valley vineyards, including the Rutherford and Stags Leap District appellations. Suggested retail price is $40. A Luke Donald Collection Chardonnay from Carneros is scheduled to be released in spring 2009.
EOS Estate Winery Hires Director of Winemaking
The EOS Estate Winery of Paso Robles announced that Nathan Carlson will serve as its Director of Winemaking. In this capacity, Carlson will lead EOS’s winemaking teams, overseeing production of the Central Coast wine portfolios. Carlson has more than 10 years of winemaking experience on the Central Coast, most recently managing the two million gallon facility at Tolosa Estate.
In other news, EOS will complete a $5.3 million project this summer to convert its entire facility to solar power.
“EOS has taken a bold step to become the first large winery in Paso Robles to commit to using only solar power,” the company said.
TEQUILA HERRADURA OFFICIAL TEQUILA OF KENTUCKY DERBY
Churchill Downs has selected Tequila Herradura as the “Official Tequila for Kentucky Derby 134”, becoming the first tequila maker to sponsor the Derby. Herradura, which translates to horseshoe in Spanish, will join other official Brown-Forman brands at the Kentucky Derby 134 and Churchill Downs’ Derby-related events, including Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Early Times Mint Julep, Finlandia Vodka, Korbel California Champagne and Fetzer Wines.
PANNOTIA VINEYARDS UNVEILS GERMAN RIESLING
Pannotia Vineyards is releasing a German Riesling to help round out its international portfolio. Pannotia Vineyards Riesling 2007 debunks the too-sweet myth of traditional Riesling varieties, making it drier than most other Rieslings without losing any of Riesling's richness or character, says the company. Pannotia Riesling comes from the Rheinhessen region. It is priced at $11.99 and will be available nationally June 1, 2008.
EUROPEAN DRUGMAKER BUYS RESVERATROL COMPOUND
GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Europe's biggest drugmaker, agreed to buy Sirtris Pharmaceuticals Inc. for about $720 million. Sirtris, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, develops drugs that activate sirtuins, a class of enzymes involved in aging, Bloomberg is reporting. Its most advanced compound is a formulation of resveratrol, a substance found in red wine and plants that is thought to slow the effects of aging. Glaxo will get a foothold in a new area of research that may lead to treatments for diabetes, muscle wasting and neurodegeneration, the company said.
WSD BRIEF:
NYC STATE LIQUOR AUTHORITY is reportedly supporting community boards that approve liquor licenses only if the establishment closes by 2am. This means that more NYC bars could potentially be forced to close before the traditional 4am, reports the New York Post.
Until tomorrow, Megan
“It's amazing that the amount of news that happens in the world every day always just exactly fits the newspaper.”
Jerry Seinfeld
--------- Sell Day Calendar ----------
Today's Sell Day: 17
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 10:56 AM
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