Pennsylvania liquor privatization bill advances in Senate
June 25, 2013 The push to privatize Pennsylvania's liquor system is moving forward. The Senate Law and Justice Committee this afternoon voted 6 to 5 in favor of advancing two identical bills that would open up alcohol sales to restaurants, bars and beer distributors...
Alcoholic beverage label regulation – legal framework is changing
June 24, 2013 The first half of 2013 has seen a flurry of activity related to alcohol regulation. Heads first turned in February when controversial alcoholic beverage (and onetime energy drink) Four Loko was ordered by the Federal Trade Commission to put new...
May 2013 Control State results: sales up 2.2%
June 20, 2013 During May, nine-liter spirits case sales in the control states were up 2.2% compared to a tough comparable 2012 period. Note, however, that sales during May this year benefited from five Fridays versus four during last year’s May. Rolling-twelve...
New trade agreement could boost Tequila exports to China
June 20, 2013 Chinese consumers love luxury products, but they drink crummy tequila. At least until now. Earlier this month, China’s President Xi Jinping and his Mexican counterpart Enrique Peña Nieto signed a bilateral trade agreement that will allow Mexican imports...
India offers the EU to slash import duty on wine and spirits to 40% from 150%
June 18, 2013 In a make-or-break scenario for signing of the free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union, India has offered to drastically cut Customs duties on wines and spirits to 40 per cent from the current 150 per cent. The offer - made by Commerce and...
Edrington Group expanding Scotch production capacity
June 18, 2013 FAMOUS Grouse maker Edrington is preparing to follow in the footsteps of larger rivals Diageo and Pernod Ricard by expanding its production as the whisky industry gears up to sate the continuing overseas thirst for Scotch. The group – which also produces...
Wine distributors in China stock up amid fear EU trade fight will drive up import tariffs
June 17, 2013 Chinese wine distributors are scrambling to secure bottles from Europe, fearing that a trade spat between the European Union and China—the world's fifth-largest wine market—might lead to significantly higher tariffs on imported European wine. "Every...
Oregon Liquor Control Commissioners oppose additional 25-cent surcharge on distilled spirits
June 13, 2013 At a special commission meeting held the morning of June 12, the Commissioners of the Oregon Liquor Control Commission voted 3-2 against adopting an additional 25-cent per bottle surcharge on distilled spirits. As a result of today’s vote, the proposed...
Remy results: Annual profit up – Chinese slowdown to weigh on first half results
June 12, 2013 * Expects lacklustre Chinese sales of premium cognac in H1 * Confident of mid-to-long term growth despite weak Europe * Annual profit up 12.3 pct, above company guidance * Shares down 0.8 percent French spirits group Remy Cointreau forecast lacklustre...