NEWSFETCH – March 21, 2011

TOP NEWS

• Wine Opinions releases new in-depth study on wine consumer trends.
• Calls increase for changes in migrant worker program
• Can California crack the UK market?
• Palate to the people: Wine competition lets the consumers rate their favorites
• Wine Sales Rise Led by New Generation of Value Shoppers
• What’s The Next Big Thing in Wine?
• TTB Permits Online – On the Road to More Efficient Federal Filings
• Optimistic Outlook for Central Coast Vintners
• The Most Powerful Grower in Napa
• The battles of a Californian wine producer
• Weathering climate change with Napa Valley’s grapegrowers

PUBLIC COMPANIES & INVESTING

• Four Ways to Help Clients Avoid Wine-Futures Scams
• Diageo reveals consumer insights from its online community
• Concha Y Toro Considers Debt Issue For Fetzer Buy
• Christie’s Wins Dismissal of Billionarie Koch’s Counterfeit Wine Suit
• Diageo Considers $2 Billion Offer for Jose Cuervo
  
• AB InBev thirsty for a deal? Could be SABMiller
• Fortune Brands buys Skinnygirl spirits brand

WINE & HEALTH

• Voluntary Nutritional Labeling on Alcohol Is the Best Recipe
• Should we print alcohol levels on wine labels?

DIRECT SHIPPING

• H.R. 1161 Divides Alcohol Industry
• Rep. Thompson condemns reintroduction of CARE Act
• HR 1161–Watching Wine Distributors Eat Their Own
• H.R. 5034 is Now H.R. 1161
• U.S. Congressman Introduces New Act Threatening Direct Shipping
• Why Every Wine Lover Needs to Call Their Representative in Congress

AROUND THE STATES

• KY: Resort hopes election will allow winery
• MI: Toasts to wine milestone
• NE: Wineries and vineyards thrive
• OR: King Estate Winery appeal is about fairness
• TN: Sunday sales bill a hot topic
• TX: Wine producers fear state cuts will crush business
• VA: Billionaire’s Ex Patricia Kluge Forecloses Winery
• WA: Making sensible changes in how it handles liquor sales

ACADEMIA

• Napa Valley College BEC gets grant
• Windsor’s ‘Vineyard Academy’ takes root

EUROPE

• Winery Exchange expands in Europe
• Italy’s Campari increases Russia presence
• Oldest vineyard classification in the world discovered in Germany

THE UK

• Details of Oddbins debts emerge
• UK passes Germany as world’s leading wine importer
• Online alcohol sales on the up
• New online wine merchant launched
• UK Champagne sales on the up

CANADA

• Connecting with the Canadian Consumer
• Police and LCBO investigate fake Italian wine

DOWN UNDER

• OZ: Victorian grapes being harvested under cloud of smoke taint
• OZ: SA growers relying on other income
• OZ: Rot hits wine regions after downpours
• OZ: Queen Adelaide gets pricier
• NZ: A vine chance to help earthquake victims
• OZ: Wine-swap maker’s ‘integrity in question’
• NZ: Rally around Canterbury’s Flagship Winery
• NZ: Wineries join forces to take on US market

ASIA & PACIFIC RIM

• Chinese spending habits point to fine wine prospects
• Shenzhen Wine Town strikes a pose on the stage in Chengdu
• Thirsty Chinese Move Further into Bordeaux

APPOINTMENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Tonnellerie O Adds Two to Sales Team
• Casella expands Sales and Marketing Team

AG, GROWER & CELLAR NEWS

• Studying Water and Soil Effects
• Vineyards catching on with avocado growers and investors

NOT JUST FOR THE TRADE

• Wine With Those Girl Scout Cookies?
• More Silk, Less Slurp, Alcohol as Vintners Class Up Pinot Noir
• Expert details art of blind tasting

CHARITABLE & GREEN AND SOCIAL CAUSES

• VIDEO: Far Niente’s floating solar panels
• OZ: Solar future for Mt Surmon Wines