NEWS FETCH – May 7, 2015

TOP NEWS

• Strong dollar is no buzz kill for Constellation Brands
• US gives farmers approval to spray crops from drones
• Greedy Environment Steals California’s Water
• TTB Compliance can be simpler. Here’s how. *Sponsored Link*

CALIFORNIA BRIEFS

• California’s tourism industry sets records
• Napa Planners say unauthorized winery cave portal must go
• Big Wine blasted at North Coast California gathering
• Craft beer a $6bn California industry
• Santa Rosa buys pollution credits from KJ exec’s manure cleanup
• How To Overcome The Top 10 Objections From Beverage Retailers. *Sponsored Link*

DROUGHT/WATER

• California shaves a dismal 3.6 percent off water use in March
• The misconception of water costs
• Delta perspectives on drought management
• Jerry Brown to water tunnels critics: ‘Shut up’
• Got a good grip on your bung? Click now to check out our “super grip” bung flash sale *Sponsored Link*

DIRECT SHIPPING & PRIVATIZATION

• SVB Direct to Consumer Live VideoCast

PUBLIC COMPANIES

• Diageo Named One Of Best Places To Work In Illinois
• Truett-Hurst, Inc. Announces FY15Q3 Earnings Release Date, Conference Call and Webcast
• Hawesko: First quarter better on operative basis than previous year
• Corby Spirit and Wine Announces Quarterly Dividend and Reports Third Quarter Results
• Morrisons continues to face challenges as sales slump 1.1% in Q1
• Tools of the Trade: 10 Must Have Documents to Have Ready For Your Distributor *Sponsored Link*

INVESTING IN WINE, COLLECTING & AUCTIONS

• Top Bordeaux chateaux have to provide themselves with the means to fulfill their ambitions
• Bordeaux needs to ‘win back Asian confidence’
• Bordeaux’s phantom white wines
• Lagrange releases at €24 per bottle
• Two positive charts: Issan and Climens 2014
• Eglise Clinet released at €132 per bottle ex-negociant
• Gruaud Larose starts the afternoon’s releases
• Langoa Barton and Giscours continue the day’s releases

ALCOHOL, HEALTH, AND THE FRENCH PARADOX
Click the link above for more news, articles and archives.

• Diabetics can stay healthy by drinking a glass of red wine each night

REGULATION & LEGAL MATTERS

• Washington Wineries Welcome Portable License
• Is This Wine Dry? Alsace Label Laws Make it Clear

WINE SELECTION AND RECOMMENDATION

• A Wine Critic Defends Sauternes, Bordeaux’s Sweet, Unloved Stepchild
• Parker: not awarding 100 points “irresponsible”
• How Large Distributors Launch A New Brand *Sponsored Link*

TRADE SHOWS & CONFERENCES

• Wine Spectator and Vinexpo assemble leaders in U.S. wine market for panel in Bordeaux
• Wine Lover’s Guide to Expo Milano 2015

MEDIA MATTERS

• Dear Blogger…#ILoveYou

MATTERS OF TASTE

• Wine’s New Mainstream
• Common Wine Faults Explained
• Who’s Your Daddy?: Rotgipfler
• Nerello mascalese: Red Sicilian grape has its roots on volcanic Mount Etna
• Strength in maturity? A look at old vines
• Ça va, cava?
• Filtering wine one way doesn’t mean it’s the only way. Click now to see the alternatives *Sponsored Link*

WINE PEOPLE

• Two Champagne Pros Talk Vintages & Varietals Over Lunch at Ladurée
• db meets: The Wine Butler

WINE PLACES

• US Wine Regions with a Unique Claim to Fame
• The Busy Wine Lover’s Guide to Pol Roger
• Sacramento, wine city

NORTH AMERICAN REGIONAL WINE NEWS

• B.C. was province with biggest drop in booze profits last year
• WA Wine Makers Relieved To Have Red Mountain Water Source
• Cathedral Ridge owner takes pride in Columbia Gorge wine industry
• Barbera grape variety looks to grow in NW

ACADEMIA

• OSU researching biological controls for stinkbugs, other pests

AG, GROWER & CELLAR NEWS

• Vineyard mechanization can help improve grape quality
• Own a drone? The U.S. government wants you to use this app before you fly
• Wine preservative can also stop massive bleeding in seconds

EUROPE & THE UK

• Henkell & Co-Gruppe sees volume and revenue rise for 2014
• Bancroft boosts on-trade portfolio after signing up 11 new wineries
• Brewery’s war on the village idiots of Ayrshire rages on
• Celebrating English wine

DOWN UNDER

• Aussie winemakers call for extra funds to boost overseas marketing
• OZ: Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) Rebate Reform Delayed
• Australian wines the toast of China trade shows
• Delegat buys NZ$29m Hawke’s bay farm

ASIA & PACIFIC RIM

• China rekindles its love affair with wine

AROUND THE GLOBE

• Putin Bottles Patriotism as Black Sea Wine Trumps Burgundy

NOT JUST FOR THE TRADE

• Can Vegans Drink Wine?

CRAFT BEVERAGES: BEER, CIDER WINE & SPIRITS

• MillerCoors exec charged with $7m fraud
• Craft Brewing Continues To Soar
• Beer Institute Releases Domestic Tax Paid Estimate
• Patrick Piana Named CEO Of Stoli Group USA
• Japan Brewers Finally Get Serious on Craft Beer
• Irish Whiskey Reintroduces Itself to the World
• A Pisco Pilgrimage