NEWS FETCH – May 13, 2015

TOP NEWS

• USDA Reports 928,000 Total California Grape Acres
• Bill limits NY State Liquor Authority on out-of-state sales penalties
• California farmers in line for more drought cutbacks
• U.S. Economic Confidence Index Rebounds, Still Negative
• Cops bust Montreal-area contraband wine ring
• TTB Compliance can be simpler. Here’s how. *Sponsored Link*

CALIFORNIA BRIEFS

• There is a perception vs. reality problem in Napa Valley
• Vintner Galleano Joins LA Metropolitan Water Board
• Wine Institute Showcases California Wines for Top Media and Trade from Canada, Europe, Asia and Latin America
• Family Winemakers Of California Set 25th Anniversary Tasting
• How To Overcome The Top 10 Objections From Beverage Retailers. *Sponsored Link*

DROUGHT/WATER

• Why California Farmers Are Conflicted About Using Less Water
• Which California Crops Are Worth the Water?
• Rural crime adds to pain from drought
• The CA legislature’s perspective on water
• New Strategy, New Challenges for the Delta
• Got a good grip on your bung? Click now to check out our “super grip” bung flash sale *Sponsored Link*

DIRECT SHIPPING & PRIVATIZATION

• North Dakota Legislation Lessens Carrier Penalties

PUBLIC COMPANIES

• Naked Wines boss Luke Jecks goes global, bypasses Woolies-Coles liquor dominance
• Lassonde Industries announces election of Directors
• Tools of the Trade: 10 Must Have Documents to Have Ready For Your Distributor *Sponsored Link*

INVESTING IN WINE, COLLECTING & AUCTIONS

• Bordeaux Prices Drop, but American Wine Lovers Yawn
• CEO of Diamond Estates arrested for fraud
• Bordeaux 2014 disappointing and lackluster so far

LIV-EX BORDEAUX 2014 DATA

• Carruades Lafite 2014: a positive release
• Pavie Macquin and Beausejour Duffau 2014 released
• Gloria and Saint Pierre released
• Haut Bailly released at €43.2 per bottle
• Pontet Canet: back to 2011
• First tranche of Lafite 2014 released

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

• Binge drinking among professional women is the dark side of equality
• Alcoholic Beverages Preferred by 11% of College Students When Studying for Finals

REGULATION & LEGAL MATTERS

• Who’s to decide what wine phrases are illegal?
• What does “Craft” mean anyway?

INDUSTRY DATA & TRENDS

• Aussie Bottled Wine Imports To China Skyrocket (U.S. Sags)
• Two 70’s Wine Favorites Making a Comeback

MARKETING & SALES

• Insider Tips to Sell More Wine – Part 1
• How Large Distributors Launch A New Brand *Sponsored Link*

PACKAGING, LABELS & CORKS

• Bottle maker Owens-Illinois to spend $2.15B on Mexican firm

TRADE SHOWS & CONFERENCES

• Exhibitor Applications Available For ProWein 2016
• DIRECT Day Two Agenda

MEDIA MATTERS

• Variety versus varietal – Oh, this is so perfect

MATTERS OF TASTE

• Dissecting The Evils of Corporate Ownership
• Crazy Old Ladies of Jackass Hill
• Eliminating variables key to creating wines people want to drink again
• Wine Term: Chaptalization
• Filtering wine one way doesn’t mean it’s the only way. Click now to see the alternatives *Sponsored Link*

WINE PEOPLE

• Where Are All the Women Winemakers?
• Vintner Tony Cartlidge’s second act
• Q&A: The Prince of Haut-Brion

WINE PLACES

• Montepulciano, Revealed: The Map That Breaks New Ground
• The Most Underrated City in South America: Santiago, Chile
• The Wrong Side of the Rhône
• Portugal is the most underrated wine region
• A vineyard of no intent

WINE EDUCATION

• WSET and wine education: Does it develop a house palate?

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

• What Exactly Is ‘Sustainable’ Wine?

EUROPE & THE UK

• English sparkling wine declared ‘as good as Champagne’
• WSTA members angered by lack of support and other “freeloading” businesses in the trade
• WHO findings on Round Up will not speed up EU safety review
• Elizabeth Newman to replace Andy Phelps as head of BWS at Sainsbury’s
• Asda unveils wine makeover

DOWN UNDER

• OZ: Small business commissioner wants better treatment of Riverina wine grape growers
• South Australia looks to growing China exports

LATIN AMERICA

• 6 Argentine Winemakers Elevate Their Iconic Red Wine

SOUTH AFRICA

• Cape Classics Goes From Cape to Coast

NOT JUST FOR THE TRADE

• Why Riedel Is the Stem That Wine Lovers Reach For

CRAFT BEVERAGES: BEER, CIDER WINE & SPIRITS

• SABMiller Profit Beats Estimates as Tough Conditions Persist
• Beam Suntory Sees North America Sales Rise, Preps New Whisky Offering
• Campari, Helped By A Strengthening Dollar, Shows Robust Growth in First Quarter
• Bud Light was ensnared by a strategy, not a label
• The Jewish Origins of Kentucky Bourbon