July, 19, 2012 MUSICAL WINE GLASS LAUNCHED

(TheDrinksBusiness) - A wine glass has been developed in Austria that plays musical notes when a finger is run along the rim. The lead-free crystal glass features gold lines corresponding to different musical notes covering a full 12-note octave from A flat to G. Each etching denotes the level o...

July, 19, 2012 Online wine merchant Lot18 to close UK operations

(DBR) - New York-based online wine merchant Lot18 is to close its business in the UK by the end of July 2012. The closing of UK operations follows the recent closure of its food division Lot18 Gourmet and its food and wine-themed excursion business Lot18 Experiences. Citing dominance of supermarke...

July, 18, 2012 BEER CAN BOAT SETS SAIL

(TheDrinksBusiness) - The 2.5-ton boat, named Extravacanz, was launched at Dinah Beach, Darwin, and made an impression with onlookers, who were stunned to see it float. Since the boat set sail on its maiden voyage it has appeared at the 2012 Beer Can Regatta at Mindil Beach in Darwin and attracted ...

July, 18, 2012 CHILE’S BIG PLAYERS INJECT PERSONALITY

(TheDrinksBusiness) - The Chilean wine industry is set to become increasingly dominated by larger companies, but balanced by a trend towards “more exotic” varieties and “more interesting portfolios”, believes Luis Felipe Edwards. “The big are becoming bigger and the small are becoming nich...

July, 18, 2012 US: Does Napa County produce enough grapes?

(NapaValleyRegister)- Now more than two decades old, the rule that Napa wine be made with at least 75-percent Napa grapes is a signature of the wine industry. But two wineries’ recent proposals to expand production has called into question that rule’s future viability. What happens if winerie...

July, 17, 2012 DISTRIBUTION “MOST IMPORTANT” ISSUE FOR WINE TRADE

(TheDrinksBusiness) - “Distribution is the most important thing for the future”, according to Miguel Torres Maczassek as he prepares to succeed his father as general manager of Bodegas Torres. Although keen to emphasise that there would be “no dramatic change” within the family business as...

July, 17, 2012 U.S. Surpasses Hong Kong in Wine Auction Totals for First Time Since 2010

(WineSpectator) - Amid the backdrop of European economic troubles, a sputtering 2011 Bordeaux futures campaign and a high-profile wine counterfeiting case, prices for fine wine at U.S. auctions fell in the second quarter of 2012. The Wine Spectator Auction Index—which tracks the prices of fine wi...

July, 17, 2012 TOP 10 ALCOHOL HEALTH CLAIMS

(TheDrinksBusiness) - Study after study claims to find new health benefits for wine, beer or spirits, so we have rounded up the best alcohol related health claims. There are many “ alcohol is good for your health” headlines. In some instances alcohol is seen as a miracle cure that can ward o...