Beverage and Bar news, features and trends from around the worldhttp://www.tulleeho.com/bevnewsREIMS, France — Deep below a lush landscape of ripening Champagne grapes, Thierry Gasco, the master vintner for Pommery, ran his finger over the shoulders of a dark green bottle that looked just like the thousands of others reposing in his chilly subterranean cellar. But to the practiced hand and eye, there is a subtle, if potentially significant, difference. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/01/business/energy-environment/01champagne.html?hpwWed, 1 Sep 2010 06:16:03 GMTWineAt a meeting held on Monday by the All India Wine Producers Association with the senior state and central government officials including the Union Agriculture Minister Mr. Sharad Pawar, the state government has agreed to reduce the K-form fees to Rs.100,000 and practically eliminate the excise duty being levied on out-of-state domestic wines.http://www.indianwineacademy.com/item_2_402.aspxFri, 27 Aug 2010 28:49:12 GMTWineGlenmorangie has launched a new whisky in its Private Edition range. The Glenmorangie Finealta, pronounced ‘Finalta', is Scottish Gaelic for ‘elegant'. It is a recreation of Glenmorangie based on a recipe dating back to 1903.http://www.drinksint.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/1691/Glenmorangie_launches_new_whisky.htmlFri, 27 Aug 2010 26:41:29 GMTWhiskeyBeginning this week, international passengers flying out of IGI airport's terminal 3 (T3) will be able to get a little high free of cost on ground itself by tasting whisky and other spirits from the duty free shop. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Free-for-all-Get-high-before-you-fly-out-of-IGI-/articleshow/6442349.cmsFri, 27 Aug 2010 26:38:58 GMTFnBAT times, the large back room at Café Grumpy in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, has so many customers typing and wearing noise-canceling headphones that it looks like an office without the cubicles. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/25/dining/25coffee.html?_r=1&hpwTue, 24 Aug 2010 26:29:04 GMTCoffeeMr. Neff, 39, and his partners, Kenneth McCoy, 38, and Abdul Tabini, 38, like to tinker. While they know their way around a proper gimlet or Negroni, what really excites them is using their experience behind the bar to bring balance, nuance and good sense to a drink hatched on the spot. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/20/dining/20tipsy.htmlThu, 19 Aug 2010 26:11:18 GMTCocktailhttp://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE67L10K20100822Sun, 22 Aug 2010 26:25:39 GMTBeerIntroduced by Chairman of John Distilleries Ltd, Mr. Paul P. John, in the presence of Chief Winemaker Lucio Matricardi, Rosa Rossa (Zinfandel Rosé wine) and Bellissima (Late Harvest Muscat Dessert Wine) are the new offering from JDLhttp://indianwine.com/cs/blogs/indian_wine_news_and_messages/archive/2010/07/20/big-banyan-wines-add-two-new-variants-to-their-repertoire-of-fine-wines-for-wine-lovers-press-lease.aspxThu, 8 Jul 2010 23:27:28 GMTWineThe panel tasted 20 bottles of mezcal, one of the world's great spirits: complex, gorgeous and distinguished by a strong sense of place. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/18/dining/reviews/18wine.html?emc=tnt&tntemail1=yWed, 18 Aug 2010 25:42:33 GMTSpiritsEdinburgh Napier University has filed a patent for a new biofuel made from whisky by-products, at the end of a two year project working with Diageo.http://www-t.decisionnewsmedia.com/r/?id=h183cc7bf,595b739,595c5ce&p1=PD6oJ3T6%2FnyEsOitkaGTQQ%3D%3DWed, 18 Aug 2010 25:38:53 GMTWhiskeyhttp://www.tulleeho.com/20questions/20questions_nrjagdale.aspSun, 1 Aug 2010 22:45:39 GMTWhiskeyPUNE: Wine mixes well with coffee. At least, wine drinkers mix with coffee lovers, going by the success of Aromas and the Four Seasons-Barista experiments of serving wine in coffee shops. Buoyed, these companies are now talking expansion and soon, your neighbourhood Cafe Coffee Day outlet maybe serving wine. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/6302409.cmsFri, 13 Aug 2010 27:41:49 GMTWineThe Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) says it has had a very successful academic year. “While we have certainly seen some markets struggle, the overall trend is up and once the final examinations are counted, we expect to have seen 28,000 candidates this year, a 9 increase on the previous year,” said David Wrigley MW, the WSET's international development director.http://www.drinksint.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/1667/WSET_has_a_good_year__.htmlTue, 10 Aug 2010 10:30:56 GMTWineIslay: Bruichladdich distillery has started to produce gin. The Islay distillery, usually associated with peaty whisky, began making its first batch of gin today (3 August).http://www.drinksint.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/1664/Bruichladdich_to_make_gin.htmlWed, 4 Aug 2010 09:39:31 GMTSpiritsThe European Court of Justice has ended a long-running brewing dispute, defeating an attempt by Anheuser-Busch to gain exclusive rights in the EU to the Budweiser trademark.http://www-t.decisionnewsmedia.com/r/?id=h17bd7051,5722c32,5723347&p1=PD6oJ3T6%2FnwX27H5pSzW1Q%3D%3DWed, 4 Aug 2010 23:56:00 GMTBeerFor American wine lovers, the world of sake may be disquieting at first, but its rewards can go well beyond what's in the glass. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/28/dining/reviews/28pour.html?emc=tnt&tntemail1=yTue, 27 Jul 2010 22:54:57 GMTWineFor the first time in more than 20 years all five Bordeaux first growths are coming together for a masterclass in London.http://www.decanter.com/news/300417.htmlSat, 31 Jul 2010 22:51:56 GMTWineSpanish World Cup hero Andrés Iniesta is hoping to score more success with the launch of his own wine company, Bodegas Iniesta. http://www.decanter.com/news/300514.htmlThu, 29 Jul 2010 26:38:24 GMTWineBeam Global Spirits & Wine, the premium spirits business of Fortune Brands has announced plans to divest three of its German-market local brands. Kuemmerling bitters, Fûrst Bismarck korn/schnapps and Jacobi 1880 brandy are to be sold to Henkell & Co, the second largest distributor of wine and spirits in Germany. http://www.drinksint.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/1656/Beam_sells_German_brands_to_Henkell.htmlThu, 29 Jul 2010 26:32:18 GMTSpiritsWhen Diageo recently ended its bulk scotch sourcing contract from Whyte & Mackay, time was running out for Vijay Mallya fast. http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/wm-highpremium-brands/402784/Thu, 29 Jul 2010 26:31:25 GMTWhiskeyJapanese beer giant Asahi Breweries is actively looking to establish a footprint in the Indian market, according to a source. http://www.just-drinks.com/news/asahi-breweries-eyes-india-presence-source_id101421.aspxWed, 28 Jul 2010 12:17:28 GMTBeerPernod Ricard has created a new brand company for its wines and made several organisational changes to its overall structure. http://www.drinksint.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/1650/Pernod_creates_new_company,_new_region.htmlTue, 27 Jul 2010 10:29:32 GMTWineTilaknagar Industries Ltd, India's fastest growing manufacturer of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), has announced its brand expansion programme. Seven new brands that include four whiskeys, two brandies and one rum will be launched in the next two months.http://www.fnbnews.com/article/detnews.asp?articleid=27946&sectionid=3Tue, 20 Jul 2010 23:08:52 GMTSpiritsAcross the country, bartenders are following chefs out into the field (or at least the backyard) to cultivate and harvest their own ingredients, including everything from cucumbers to limes. http://liquor.com/liquor/articles/farm-fresh-cocktails/Sat, 24 Jul 2010 23:02:54 GMTCocktailRhonda Dannenberg, a suburban mother of three, stuck her nose in six glasses of beer at the MillerCoors brewery here and swished a bit of each in her mouth. Then she delivered the kind of frank verdict that's shaking up the mens-club world of beer tasting.http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704629804575324503844478326.htmlTue, 29 Jun 2010 22:58:28 GMTBeerThe rooftop bar is an institution in New York City, where the roofs are higher, the views longer and the promises grander. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/23/dining/23bruni.html?hpWed, 21 Jul 2010 22:49:00 GMTFnBTreasury Wine Estates is the new name for the wine division of Foster's Group, as the drinks multinational continues the process of splitting its beer and wine businesses.http://www.decanter.com/news/300292.htmlWed, 21 Jul 2010 22:31:18 GMTWineAs part of a previously-announced review of its wine operations, Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines has announced that it has sold its Barton & Guestier Bordeaux business to French Wine concern Castel Freres SAS.http://www.drinksint.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/1643/Diageo_sells_its_Bordeaux_wine_business.htmlWed, 21 Jul 2010 11:29:12 GMTWineCHENNAI\BANGALORE: Buy a beer for this one. More people reached out for a mug of chilled frothy beer to quench the May summer than in any other month. And distillers didn't disappoint either. A record 72,488 kilolitres of your favourite beverage was produced in Mayhttp://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/biz/india-business/Sizzling-summer-pushes-beer-sales/articleshow/6185003.cmsMon, 19 Jul 2010 24:11:25 GMTBeerA French wine culture centre is planned for Beijing and may be open before the end of this year. http://www.decanter.com/news/300123.htmlThu, 15 Jul 2010 23:34:31 GMTWineSt-Germain liqueur seems to be on every cocktail menu from New York City to the Hamptons. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/18/fashion/18noticed.html?_r=1&emc=tnt&tntemail1=ySun, 18 Jul 2010 23:26:46 GMTCocktailBeer makers United Breweries Ltd (UB) and SABMiller Plc's India arm are patenting their bottles, which they say would help them get a handle on rising bottling costs. Once patented, only UB and SABMillerwhich together corner 80 of the Indian beer marketcan buy back their respective bottles. This will help us have a control on the availability and pricing of second-hand bottles, said Shekhar Ramamurthy, deputy president, UB. http://www.tradingmarkets.com/news/stock-alert/ubwrf_ub-sabmiller-move-to-patent-bottles-to-restrict-reuse-cut-costs-1-1048812.htmlMon, 19 Jul 2010 23:17:01 GMTBeerWhere is the world's best vodka produced? In Poland, perhaps, where it has been made since the Middle Ages? Or Russia, where tsar Alexander III set out official quality standards for the drink in 1894? In fact, according to the judges of the 2010 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the world's best vodka now comes from England. In a blind tasting of 115 vodkas, the 30 judges awarded the top prize to Chase Vodka, from Herefordshire. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/bf7b9fb8-9069-11df-ad26-00144feab49a.htmlSat, 17 Jul 2010 26:58:41 GMTSpiritsFinally, the prayers of business-traveling beer lovers have been answered: Japan's All Nippon Airlines announced last week that it has developed Planet Earth's first in-flight beer dispenser. http://www.esquire.com/blogs/food-for-men/in-flight-keg-ana-airlines-071310?src=nl&mag=esq&list=nl_enl_fdr_blg_071510_kegs-on-a-plane&kw=istThu, 15 Jul 2010 26:02:26 GMTBeerMUMBAI: Diageo, the world's largest maker of alcoholic drinks including Johnnie Walker whisky and Smirnoff vodka, plans to launch some local brands in India after a break of eight years, a senior company official said. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/cons-products/liquor/Diageo-plans-to-launch-local-brands-in-India/articleshow/6169598.cmsThu, 15 Jul 2010 06:19:49 GMTSpiritsMUMBAI: Roland Abella, the India head of Diageo, the world's largest spirits maker, had his job cut out for him when he took over in April 2009. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/biz/india-business/Cheers-Diageo-bets-on-spirited-growth-in-India/articleshow/6169214.cmsThu, 15 Jul 2010 26:20:11 GMTSpiritsTravel Retail: Beam Global Spirits & Wine has launched a premium expression of its bourbon whiskey, Jim Beam, exclusive to travel retail. http://www.drinksint.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/1624/Travel_Retail:_Beam_launches_premium_Jim_Beam.htmlTue, 13 Jul 2010 06:38:28 GMTWhiskeyBangalore-based John Distilleries Ltd aims to achieve a revenue growth of around 30 per cent, to Rs 600 crore this fiscal on the back of a sound demand for its flagship brands in the domestic market. http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/john-distilleries-aims-30-pc-growth/400679/Thu, 8 Jul 2010 07:17:15 GMTSpiritsFor long the ultimate off-the-bottle drink, beer is being mixed and shaken up—not just for the new drinker but even the connoisseur. http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/living/chasing-beerSat, 10 Jul 2010 12:31:49 GMTCocktailCoca-Cola, PepsiCo and Tetra Pak are among the big beverage industry names to come together to form the Indian Beverage Association (IBA) http://www-t.decisionnewsmedia.com/r/?id=h16e033aa,53581cf,5358df2&p1=PD6oJ3T6%2Fnz2KB36QNbSOA%3D%3DThu, 8 Jul 2010 12:29:37 GMTPolicyNow food historian Jessica Harris has stepped in with Rum Drinks, a book that reminds us that rum punch is as old as rum itself, a strong quaff perfect “for a world that required a little muting around the edges,” specifically the brutal culture of the sugar-cane-growing islands of the Caribbean in the 16th and 17th centuries. http://www.newsweek.com/2010/07/03/rum-s-punch.htmlThu, 8 Jul 2010 18:28:44 GMTCocktailSpain/Portugal/Italy: Diageo has launched two ready to serve cocktails. The J&B Manhattan is to sell for €9.99 (70cl) and will roll out across Spain's off-trade this month. J&B blended scotch whisky is mixed with cherry and cranberry flavours as well as citrus and the product has an ABV of 14.9. http://www.drinksint.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/1611/Diageo_launches_ready_to_serve_cocktails.htmlMon, 5 Jul 2010 14:36:46 GMTCocktailFrance's appellation system may soon be homogenised into globally recognised brands, according to a French wine official. http://www.decanter.com/news/299731.htmlFri, 2 Jul 2010 12:31:11 GMTWineDavid Stewart, The Balvenie malt master, has crafted a 40 year old single malt scotch whisky, aged in sherry casks and refill hogsheads. A batch of 150, hand numbered bottles of The Balvenie Forty will be available at selected travel retail outlets in the world's leading airports, from July 2010. http://www.drinksint.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/1610/First_Drinks_launches_40_year_old_Balvenie.htmlFri, 2 Jul 2010 12:25:55 GMTWhiskeyDiageo has redesigned its Smirnoff 21 packaging. The new bottles have launched in the UK and will roll out across the world from August. http://www.drinksint.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/1607/Diageo_redesigns_Smirnoff_21.htmlFri, 2 Jul 2010 12:24:35 GMTSpiritsWilliam Grant & Son has announced the completion of its €300 million deal to buy C&C International's portfolio of Irish spirits and liqueur brands. http://www.drinksint.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/1603/William_Grant_deal_to_buy_C_C_brands_goes_through__.htmlFri, 2 Jul 2010 10:26:11 GMTSpirits http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Liquor/articleshow/6112289.cmsThu, 1 Jul 2010 07:44:08 GMTSpiritsOne of the oldest beer firms in the US, Pabst Brewing Co, has been acquired by private investment fund Metropoulos & Co for an undisclosed fee. http://www.just-drinks.com/news/pabst-brewing-co-sold-to-metropoulos_id101146.aspxWed, 30 Jun 2010 10:06:24 GMTBeerThe Scotch whisky and gin unit of Pernod Ricard, Chivas Brothers, has launched a global promotional campaign focussing on the age statement of whisky across its Scotch portfolio. http://www.just-drinks.com/news/pernod-ricards-chivas-brothers-readies-scotch-age-campaign_id101126.aspxTue, 29 Jun 2010 07:38:21 GMTWhiskeyThe 2010 Drinks International Millionaires research has been compiled. Based on sales volumes for 2009, this year saw a record number of brands on the list – 162. http://www.drinksint.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/1596Sun, 27 Jun 2010 12:27:27 GMTSpirits