The old adage goes that people drink to recognize both good and bad times. This, unfortunately for the beer, wine and spirits industry, is not the case. As with many other consumer packaged goods (CPG) segments, wine industry growth rates have dropped during the last three recessions (1991, 2001 and 2008-2009) and immediately after these recessions ended, industry growth resumed.
The distilled spirits industry experienced growth in 2011 while taking market share from beer, reported Distilled Spirits Council (DISCUS) President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Cressy at the industry’s annual briefing for Wall Street analysts and reporters Jan. 30.
Starbucks Coffee Co., Seattle, announced plans to bring wine, beer and premium food offerings to a select number of locations in Atlanta and southern California by the end of this year.
Niche Import Co. launched its Affentaler Dry Riesling in a vibrant blue glass bottle, topped with a blue closure. The glass features the brand’s signature monkey embossed into the front, “hugging” the bottle.
Yao Ming, retired NBA player, owner of the Shanghai Sharks and humanitarian, established his own Napa Valley wine company: Yao Family Wines. The company released its inaugural wine, a 2009 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, under the Yao Ming brand name in mainland China. Yao Family Wines has appointed Pernod Ricard China as the sole and exclusive importer and distributor of the brand in mainland China.
DFV Wines is re-launching its traditionally packaged Delicato brand into a new modern package called Domino. The change marks a shift toward innovation at DFV Wines and reflects the company’s steady growth, it says.
Save Me, San Francisco Wine Co., a collaboration between Underdog Wine & Spirits and Grammy Award-winning band Train, launched Calling All Angels Chardonnay.
