Distillery bill in Florida, once on life support, moving forward
After limping out of the gate, a bill that’s a priority for the St. Augustine Distillery is flying through the committee process. The bill would allow Florida distilleries to sell their products — things like vodka and rum — to customers, who would have to leave the...
4 a.m.-last-call bill already fuels debate in California
The last call for drinks is 2 a.m. in California, but one lawmaker believes that's just too early to set down the shot glasses and beer steins. State Sen. Mark Leno's proposal to let the liquor flow until 4 a.m. as a way to draw more tourists — and with them more...
Deutsch acquires Eppa Superfruit Sangria
Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits Announces the Acquisition of EPPA® SuperFruit Sangria Taking Big Stand on Premium Sangria as the Next Big Thing in Wine Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits is taking another helping of the premium sangria business. On the heels of...
Fingertip alcohol scanner being introduced – said to have 96% accuracy with possible applications in cars and at workplaces
The first system to test alcohol levels at the touch of a finger is being launched today. The AlcoSense TruTouch, which is being launched at the Commercial Vehicle show in Birmingham, can determine a person’s level of intoxication in seconds with just a touch of a...
European spirits exports grow to over €10bn, up 20% from previous year
European spirits exports were worth €10.2 billion in 2012 - 20% up from €8.5 billion in the previous year. As a result, spirits are and remain the EU’s biggest agri-food exports according to trade organisation Spirits Europe. The trade body said the US showed "solid...
Global warming will make it difficult to raise grapes in traditional wine production areas – will shift production to new regions
A study has found sharp declines in wine production from Bordeaux, Rhone and Tuscany, as well as California’s Napa Valley and Chile by 2050, as a warming climate makes it harder to raise grapes in traditional wine country. Bid adieu to Bordeaux, but also, quite...
Wine sales in U.S. reach new record: record California winegrape crop to meet surging demand
Wine sales in the U.S. from all production sources—California, other U.S. states and foreign countries—increased 2% from the previous year to a new record of 360.1 million 9-liter cases with an estimated retail value of $34.6 billion, according to wine industry...
Vodka producer CEDC files prepackaged bankruptcy plan, ceding 100% control to Russian Standard’s Roustam Tariko
Poland's Central European Distribution Corp (CEDC.O), seeking to reduce its debt load, has filed for a pre-packaged bankruptcy that will give Russian businessman Roustam Tariko full control of the vodka producer, a court filing showed. CEDC, which makes Absolwent and...
Rebirth of Chinese fine wine – Wine imports from China expected to rise
There are still a few wine-producing countries left on the map that command genuine novelty value. China may boast the world's fifth-largest vineyard area and a thirsty domestic population that consumes nearly all of its wine, but in fine-wine circles, its presence in...