NEWS FETCH — January 3, 2018

TOP NEWS

• Wine’s global share of alcohol consumption has plunged by more than half since the 1960s
• Ag losses in Thomas Fire top $171 million but no winegrape damage
• Americans could get more drunk than they expect because of tax law change
• More workers say bosses withhold wages & threaten complainers with deportation
• Americans’ Economic Confidence Positive in 2017
• Here’s how to avoid costly mistakes by managing your barrel inventory with bar codes – Click now to learn how. *Sponsored Link*

ICYMI (IN CASE YOU MISSED IT)

• New California Laws All Employers Must Be Aware Of
• Save time & money – get ProWein 2018 tickets at reduced rates online. Taste wine creations from over 6,500 international exhibitors – every wine growing region in the world is represented. It’s a must event for professionals from on and off premise, trade and gastronomy. Click to register & save*Sponsored Link*

WINE SUPPLY & CONSUMPTION

• US: 2017 Largely Brings Good Yields and Quality

CALIFORNIA BRIEFS

• Economic impact of San Diego County wineries (PDF)
• Alarming failures left many in path of California wildfires vulnerable and without warning
• Sonoma County warns residents of ‘fraudulent bills for fire debris removal’
• President declares disaster over deadly Thomas wildfire
• Napa County Planning Commission brainstorms on ways to be more efficient
• Early bird pricing for 2018 USA Trade Tasting ends Jan 10! Secure your spot today and meet small and medium sized distributors of USA and expand your distribution. Click here to learn more.*Sponsored Link*

AMAZON

• Williams-Sonoma CEO Laura Alber: ‘I do not believe Amazon is killing retailers’

DROUGHT/WATER

• Sierra getting a little snow up high, none down low
• Big Unknowns: What Legal Marijuana Means for Water in Western States

REAL ESTATE – What’s this new section about?




PUBLIC COMPANIES

• Diageo Halts Snapchat Ads Over Age-Targeting Concerns

DATA & TRENDS

• Drizly data: Wine up to 47% of total alcohol sales in December

TAKING THE HIGH ROADS

• The End of Wine Is Not Near…However…
• Cannabis churches proliferate as states ease access to marijuana
• Will small farmers be wiped out by legal cannabis in California?

HEALTH

• Lower-class drinkers face worse heart health risks
• Man in critical condition after champagne bottle explodes in his crotch

MARKETING & SALES

• How Spirits Companies Are Using Wellness to Build Brand Loyalty
• Eataly’s truffle ad: Amusing or insulting?

CUSTOMER RELATIONS

• How tasting rooms can improve the visitor experience

TRADE SHOWS & CONFERENCES

• London’s first bulk wine show opens for business
• Underdog Varieties – Wines that deserve a second chance *Sponsored link*

MANAGEMENT & EMPLOYMENT

• From Wine Lawyer To Business Owner: Lessons From Qorkz CEO Jill Hoffman

WINE PEOPLE

• Experimentation in the Finger Lakes: Nancy Irelan of Red Tail Ridge

FOOD & RESTAURANTS

• How Sound Affects Taste—and How to Design Around It

NORTH AMERICAN REGIONAL WINE NEWS

• The Walls Vineyards: A new wine company in Walla Walla has transformed the former Whitman Cellars winery
• WA: Wine industry to review research efforts

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

• To adapt to warmer temperatures, winemakers may have to plant lesser known grape varieties
• Driven by consumers, climate change, sustainability grows in the global wine industry

AG, GROWER & CELLAR NEWS

• Robots Are Coming for Your Crop Protection (and Other Inputs …)

EUROPE & THE UK

• Crete is replanting its indigenous vines, and somms are noticing
• UK: Catering exec and wine enthusiast dies in tragic plane crash
• UK: CO-OP is planning to open 100 new stores nationwide this year

ASIA & PACIFIC RIM

• OZ/China: Bad-Faith Trade Marks in China

CRAFT BEVERAGES: BEER, CIDER, WINE & SPIRITS

• Super-fast whisky ageing was discovered and then abandoned in the 1950s
• A big year in Upstate NY beer: Breweries that opened or closed in 2017