The Latest News from The Tasting Panel Magazine

Music in the Vineyards Announces "Sweet 16" Season

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 07:00:00 GMT

NAPA VALLEY, Calif. – This August, 35 renowned musicians from around the world will travel to the Napa Valley to perform in Music in the Vineyards' 16th annual chamber music festival. The three-week festival showcases a plethora of awardwinning artists-in-residence performing in intimate winery settings with complimentary wine tastings at intermission.

The Gourmet Experience Invites Exhibitors

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 07:00:00 GMT

Held October 9-10, 2010, The Gourmet Experience takes center stage among scenic San Diego's north county featuring hundreds of food, luxury and lifestyle products and services that cater to discriminating consumers with refined and sophisticated tastes.

Exhibit at The Gourmet Experience and access 10,000 gourmet consumers, sell and sample product, and gain brand awareness among these key influencers.

Brands that have products or services in the Gourmet Accessories, Gourmet Foods & Beverages, Dining & Entertaining, Gourmet Education, Interior Design, Kitchenware, Outdoor Entertaining, and Travel industries among others are a fit to exhibit at The Gourmet Experience.

Companies interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at The Gourmet Experience can contact Fast Forward management at 858-578-9463. For more information or to download registration forms, visit www.thegourmetexpo.com.

TexSom Conference Scheduled for August 15 & 16 at Four Seasons–Las Colinas

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 07:00:00 GMT

Wine courses and tastings with top experts that normally cost close to a thousand dollars are being offered for a nominal fee in the Dallas area. The Sixth-Annual Texas Sommelier Conference (TexSom) showcases lectures and guided tastings at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas on August 15 and 16.

U.S. Market the New Focus for Camus Cognac

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 07:00:00 GMT

The last great independent, family-owned cognac house, Camus has been managed by five generations since its 1863 foundation. Today employing 200 persons and the world's fifth largest cognac company, the house is managed by 39-year-old President and General Manager Cyril Camus, who follows his forefathers' philosophy of quality, tradition, and innovation, and is now delighted to enter the U.S. market.

Tecate Light's "Papás" Television Ad Campaign Returns to the Small Screen

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 07:00:00 GMT

Tecate Light announces the return of its award-winning ad campaign "Papás", anchored on the brand's tagline "Por los que quieren más" or "For those who want more." Three Spanish-language spots are now airing on Univision, Telemundo, Azteca America and Estrella TV in markets where the beer is available, including Arizona, California and Texas.

Black Star Double Hopped Golden Lager Re-Launches in San Francisco and the Pacific Northwest

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 07:00:00 GMT

Minott Wessinger, fifth-generation brewer and great-great-grandson of brewing pioneer Henry Weinhard, recently announced the re-introduction of the popular Black Star Double Hopped Golden Lager to the Pacific Northwest and Northern California. First brewed in Montana in 1995, Wessinger has introduced it to select natural food stores and on-premise locations in Northern California, Oregon and Washington.

Oro di Milano Voted Best Italian Beer at the Los Angeles International Commercial Beer Competition

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 07:00:00 GMT

Oro di Milano, the Italian beer exclusively imported by Bravo Beverage, Inc., has been voted Best Italian Beer at the 2010 Los Angeles International Commercial Beer competition. Oro di Milano "Puro Malto" European-Style Pilsener won a Gold Medal, while Ora di Milano "Doppio Malto" Golden/Blonde Ale took a Bronze Medal.

Scott Baird and Josh Harris Announce Formation of New Cocktail Consulting Business

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 07:00:00 GMT

Bringing more than 20 years of combined cocktailing, bar and restaurant experience and craftsmanship to the industry, Partners Josh Harris and Scott Baird today announce the launch of their beverage consulting company, The Bon Vivants. From creating original cocktail programs to leading formal educational training sessions for bar staff, The Bon Vivants offer tailor-made programs for clients based on talent, creativity, proven success and a bit of whimsy. The company also specializes in guerilla marketing and unique cocktail event design and execution.

Lucas Bols USA Hires Chicago Brand Ambassador

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 07:00:00 GMT

Lucas Bols USA, importer of Bols Genever and Damrak Gin, has hired DeJorn Huffman as their Chicago Area Brand Ambassador.

Leading Distributors Provide Insight on Tackling the Three Tier System

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 07:00:00 GMT

Southern, Charmer, RNDC and Allied execs to speak at NY event

New York, NY, June 2, 2010: A key session anchoring the 4^th annual U.S. Drinks Conference will focus on the impact of consolidation in the distribution tier. Featured speakers on the panel include Kevin Fennessey, Sr. Vice President of Marketing at Southern Wine and Spirits; Efren Puente, Vice President of Marketing with Charmer-Sunbelt Group; Jeffrey Altschuler, CEO of Allied Beverage Group and Bob Hendrickson Vice President of Sales for Republic National Distributing Company. Ted Roman, SVP of Wm. Grant & Sons will moderate the panel which will be held on Oct. 13, the second day of the conference.

Kentucky Distillers Warn Congress HR 5034 Could Destroy Bourbon Industry

Wed, 26 May 2010 07:00:00 GMT

The Kentucky Distillers' Association (KDA), a Kentucky-based trade group representing world renowned Bourbon brands, today sent a letter to the Congressional Bourbon Caucus and every member of Kentucky's Congressional Delegation, urging strong opposition to wholesaler-crafted legislation that would significantly damage Kentucky's signature Bourbon industry.

Beam Global Begins Expansion of Frankfort, KY, Plant

Wed, 19 May 2010 07:00:00 GMT

Beam Global Spirits & Wine, the premium spirits business of Fortune Brands (NYSE: FO) and maker of the world's number one-selling Bourbon whiskey Jim Beam, has unveiled plans for its continued growth in Kentucky, including a comprehensive expansion of its Frankfort facility. When completed in the fall of 2011, the expansion will double the facility's production size and capacity and bring 120 new jobs to the area.

Lancaster and Roth Establish New Distribution Partnerships

Thu, 13 May 2010 07:00:00 GMT

Lancaster Estate Winery and Roth Winery have established new partnerships with distributors in several Western states, bringing renewed focus to the Sonoma County-based winery located in the southern hillsides of the Alexander Valley, known for exceptional Bordeaux varieties, outstanding Sauvignon Blanc and distinctive Bordeaux-styled red table wines.

Grant Hermann Promoted to Winemaker at Bennett Lane Winery

Fri, 07 May 2010 07:00:00 GMT

Bennett Lane Winery owners Randy and Lisa Lynch have announced that Grant Hermann has been promoted to winemaker. He first joined Bennett Lane in 2005 as Cellar Master. In line with Randy and Lisa Lynch's winemaking philosophy, Grant's focus at Bennett Lane is to produce well-endowed, handcrafted wines from uncompromised vineyard sources-be it the Lynches' own estate vineyard in Calistoga or a select parcel in Oakville.

San Francisco's Anchor Brewery Sold

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 07:00:00 GMT

The Griffin Group, an investment and consulting company focused on beverage alcohol brands, has announced its acquisition of Anchor Brewing Company, which includes its portfolio of craft beers and artisan spirits, including the award winning Anchor Steam Beer. The Griffin Group is led by beverage alcohol veterans, Keith Greggor and Tony Foglio, two longtime San Francisco residents who have been working with Anchor Brewing Company's owner, Fritz Maytag, to maintain the iconic brewery and distillery in San Francisco.

2010 WSWA Wine and Spirits Competition Winners!

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 07:00:00 GMT

The results of the 2010 Wine and Spirits Competitions at WSWA have been announced!

Four Roses Official Derby Cocktail Blooms

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 07:00:00 GMT

Each year as Kentucky Derby season approached, Four Roses invites top bartenders to square off for the Rose Julep title, awarded to the Derby city's best and most original mint julep. A panel of acclaimed Louisville chefs and restaurant and beverage critics rated each Julep based on taste, creativity and presentation. This year, Louisville, KY mixologist Rory McCollister of Varanese restaurant created a unique Mint Julep that won over the beverage experts during Four Roses Bourbon's annual Rose Julep Recipe Contest.

Italy's Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti Classico, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano groups launch new U.S. education initiative

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 07:00:00 GMT

The Consorzi Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti Classico, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano have announced a new U.S. education initiative entitled The Tuscan Wine Masters Academy. This program is the second major U.S. initiative of the ongoing Italian Wine Masters program launched in February 2010, and comprises a dedicated wine certification program designed specifically for members of the wine trade.

News from Newcastle

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 07:00:00 GMT

Newcastle Brown Ale has announced the launch of the one and only Geordie Schooner. This unique glass will offer consumers an authentic beer drinking experience inspired by the brand’s English heritage. The Geordie Schooner will be used to serve the refreshing golden brown ale to its fans at pubs and bars nationwide (where legal).

DonQ Rum Finds Universal Appeal

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 07:00:00 GMT

Universal Partnerships & Licensing Vice President, Corporate Alliances Stephanie Testa has announced that Universal Pictures and DonQ Rum, Puerto Rico’s leading rum brand, have entered into a corporate alliance. As the “Official Rum of Universal Pictures,” the partnership also provides for DonQ’s brands to be integrated into Universal Pictures premieres and events, develop joint programs at retail and create marketing activation across social and online media platforms.

Distilled Spirits Council Launches Craft Distiller Membership for Small Producers

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 08:00:00 GMT

The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) today announced a new Craft Distiller Affiliate Membership program designed to organize the growing number of small distilled spirits producers across the nation and alert them to public policy issues affecting the industry at every level of government.

Waiwera Artesian Water Announces Multi-Million Dollar U.S. Expansion Plan

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 08:00:00 GMT

BRANDCO , the Los Angeles-based beverage marketing company is proud to announce that it has acquired the distribution rights for Waiwera Artesian Water in the U.S., as well as for Mexico and the Caribbean. Founded in New Zealand in 1875, Waiwera Artesian Water is the Southern Hemisphere’s oldest brand of bottled water, and is internationally known for its award-winning taste, impressive health qualities, and iconic green bottle. BRANDCO’s initial U.S. expansion plans for Waiwera Artesian Water will focus on growth of on-premise accounts in California and Hawaii, followed by a nationwide rollout during the course of 2010 to 2011. The company plans to invest up to $8 million to market and promote the brand during this period.

Frïs Vodka Enters Flavor Segment

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 08:00:00 GMT

Frïs Vodka, the world’s only freeze-distilled vodka, is expanding its presence in the U.S. market with the introduction of three flavored vodkas – Frïs Cherry, Frïs Blueberry and Frïs Grape. The line extensions are designed to enable retailers to capitalize on the vibrancy of both the flavor and valued-priced segments of the vodka market.

BEVFORCE and BevNET Reveal Results of First-Ever “State of the Industry” Survey

New York, NY, January 26, 2010 – BEVFORCE ( www.bevforce.com), the beverage industry’s largest career network, and BevNET, a recognized authority on the beverage industry, recently conducted a survey assessing current and future attitudes on beverage employment, staffing and job security. Despite the fact that nationwide unemployment rates remain steady, results revealed that beverage professionals are anticipating that 2010 will be a better year than 2009.

More than 1,000 beverage professionals in both the alcoholic and non-alcoholic space participated in the online survey, including wholesalers/distributors, manufacturers/suppliers, retailers and service providers. Respondents included primarily executive level, marketing and sales professionals in the beverage industry.

Leblon Cachaça Launches "Caipi Hours"

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 08:00:00 GMT

Americans will be tippling to a samba beat, thanks to “Caipi Hours” that will bring Brazil’s classic cocktail, the Caipirinha (pronounced “kai-pur-EEN-ya”), to top watering holes and restaurants around the country, including New York, Miami, Chicago and Los Angeles.

Created by Leblon, Brazil’s premium, handcrafted Cachaça (pronounced “ka-SHA-sa”), “Caipi Hours” will feature authentic Caipirinhas made with freshly muddled limes, sugar and Leblon Cachaça at special prices, along with music and a friendly party atmosphere. The promotion begins February 12, 2010 in major U.S. cities to coincide with the start of Brazilian Carnaval, which will continue until the end of Summer 2010.