NEWS FETCH – February 19, 2015

TOP NEWS

• US Spirits & Beer Exports Climb, Wine Stumbles
• Canada’s Growing Wine Thirst Could Help Trade Tiff
• Central Valley groundwater levels crisis blamed on almonds and drought
• Why you should never swear at strangers on the train
• TTB Compliance can be simpler. Here’s how. *Sponsored Link*

HARVEST 2015/GLOBAL WINE SUPPLY

• Continuing Cold Could Wreak Havoc On Northern Michigan Grape Harvest

CALIFORNIA BRIEFS

• Malibu Coast vintners organize for wider recognition of wines

DROUGHT/WATER

• Population growth could stymie California water conservation efforts
• NorCal vs SoCal: Battle over water intensifies
• 21st Century Delta: Reconciling the desired with the possible

DIRECT SHIPPING & PRIVATIZATION

• Direct Wine Shipping to South Dakota Gets the Green Light
• Overcoming the Top 10 Objections from Beverage Retailers *Sponsored Link*

PUBLIC COMPANIES

• Suntory’s Alcohol Sales Rise 40% On Beam Acquisition

FINANCE, M&A

• Chinese investment in Western Cape wines
• How to buy a vineyard
• How Large Distributors Launch A New Brand *Sponsored Link*

INVESTING IN WINE, COLLECTING & AUCTIONS

• After the Bordeaux wine market collapse, optimism is creeping back
• APW update: deleted website and liquidation
• Wine scammer gets maximum work ban

ALCOHOL, HEALTH, AND THE FRENCH PARADOX

• Health Watch: Wine Is a Healthy Heart Habit for Women
• Higher Alcohol Taxes Lead to Less Binge Drinking

INDUSTRY DATA & TRENDS

• Beer vs wine consumption in the US

MARKETING & SALES

• Home Alcohol Delivery Is the New Normal
• Wine industry needs to rethink the way it uses video
• Use the online search tool to make sure you are well prepared for your ProWein 2015 visit – over 5,000 exhibitors await you! *Sponsored Link*

TECHNOLOGY

• VinoVisit launches tablet based “Tasting Room Abandonment” application
• Granbury Solutions Steps in to Keep Vineyard2Door Software Running

WINE & ENTERTAINMENT

• 5 Academy Award-Nominated Films Featuring Wine
• ABC’s “Scandal” Sends Wineglass Sales Soaring

PACKAGING, LABELS & CORKS

• Cork Makers Say That Wineries That Promote Their Closure Increase Sales
• Amorim says its cork releases beneficial phenolics to wine

MEDIA MATTERS

• It might help to spell Syrah correctly
• Noblesse Oblige: The Stillman Story Again
• Crowdfunded: Production of a short movie on the Grand Cru Zinnkoepflé
• Rating The Wall Street Journal Wine Column At 92—This Time

MATTERS OF TASTE

• Do women make better sommeliers?
• The irony of Italian wines
• Does Red Blotch Affect Wine Quality?

WINE PEOPLE

• Young Formolo uncorks a diversion to wine trade
• Galloping Into the Wine Business
• Q&A: Paul Pontallier, Château Margaux

AG, GROWER & CELLAR NEWS

• The fascinating history of green manure in Italy (sovescio)

NOT JUST FOR THE TRADE

• A Sophisticated Version Of Guess The Grape — But Is It A Sport?

ARTISAN BEER, CIDER & SPIRITS

• Fosters creates retailer contract to kill craft beer
• Bill Would Help Calif Artisan Spirits Makers