Wine Spectator Announces 2016 Grand Tour

Wine Spectator’s Grand Tour will take 244 wineries on the road in 2016, with stops in New York on April 26, Washington, D.C., on April 28, and Las Vegas on April 30.

These tastings offer wine lovers a luxury tour of the world of wine. Each winery will pour one wine; all wines have been rated 90 points or higher (“outstanding”) in official Wine Spectator blind tastings. The wines hail from five states and 15 foreign countries and carry an average price of nearly $85 a bottle. A light buffet complements the evening, and all attendees receive a souvenir wine glass from Riedel.

Tickets are $395, but are offered at a special price of $325 until April 19. More information, including a complete list of wines, is available at http://grandtour.winespectator.com/

Prosecco Players Lead Impact’s Imported Wine Hot Brands

With Prosecco surging ahead in the U.S. market, this year’s Impact “Hot Brands” imported wine lineup is dominated by entries representing that rising category—which accounted for nearly half of the 22 honorees.

Constellation Brands’ Ruffino is the largest of imported wine’s Hot Brands, posting a 10% increase to 1.1 million cases last year, according to Impact Databank, with its Prosecco up 43% to 250,000 cases. Next month, Ruffino will further engage the key 25-45-year-old demographic that has been driving its Prosecco with the launch of a sparkling rosé ($15).

E.&J. Gallo’s La Marca, now the largest Prosecco in the U.S., appears headed into million-case territory, having tripled in size over the past three years to reach 750,000 cases. Alluding to the strong progress of La Marca and other bubblies at the recent Impact Seminar, Gallo’s Roger Nabedian noted, “Sparkling wines above $15 a bottle were up 30% last year.”

Fellow Prosecco competitor Riondo ($14.99) grew 11% to 350,000 cases in 2015 and is primed for further expansion through its new long-term partnership with Terlato Wines. Giancarlo Lechthaler, general manager for Italy’s Collis-Riondo, said the Terlato accord will allow the brand’s Prosecco business reach new heights in the U.S. market.

Zonin USA’s Prosecco also garnered Hot Brand status with a 23% rise to 355,000 cases last year—more than double its 2012 volume. Meanwhile, Hot Brand mainstay Mionetto crossed half a million cases in 2015, and is running just ahead of Cupcake’s Prosecco, which is also posting impressive growth. Palm Bay’s Lunetta is likewise represented with a 15% boost to above a quarter-million cases, as is Prestige Wine & Spirits’ Risata, which has more than doubled since 2012 to 350,000 cases.

Diageo Invests In Restaurant App Reserve

Diageo has made a venture capital investment in restaurant reservation startup Reserve. According to Reserve CEO Greg Hong, the partnership will help foster future growth, as well as provide the fledgling company with valuable insight into the bar and restaurant industry. Launched in late 2014, Reserve’s mobile app allows diners to discover restaurants, book reservations and pay their bill. The app, which is available for iOS and Android, is currently live in New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco, Chicago, Philadelphia and Washington D.C.

Wine Spectator: Arizona Passes Consumer-Friendly Winery Direct Shipping Law

Arizona’s prohibitive restrictions on direct shipping by wineries will be lifted as of Januart 1, 2017. Gov. Doug Ducey signed Arizona Senate Bill 1381 yesterday, permitting residents to have up to 6 cases of wine a year shipped to their home from any winery that obtains a permit from the state. Forty-two states now permit out-of-state winery direct shipping. Wine Spectator has a full report.

News Briefs:

•Leonardo LoCascio Selections, part of The Winebow Group, has been named exclusive U.S. importer for renowned Brunello producer Il Marroneto, which is led by owner and winemaker Alessandro Mori. Il Marroneto produces two wines—Brunello di Montalcino Il Marroneto and Brunello di Montalcino Selezione Madonna delle Grazie—made from estate-grown grapes from two small plots located just below the town of Montalcino at an elevation of nearly 1,200 feet.

•California-based Wilson Artisan Wineries has acquired the Anderson Valley’s Greenwood Ridge Winery for an undisclosed sum. The deal includes the winery’s tasting room, brand and inventory. Established in 1980 by Allan Green, Greenwood Ridge specializes in small-lot wines and produces just under 1,500 cases annually. The estate joins Wilson Winery, Mazzocco Winery, Jaxon Keys Winery & Distillery and Pezzi King Vineyards, among others, in Wilson Artisan’s portfolio, bringing the group’s holdings to a total of 10 wineries and more than 600 acres of vineyards across Sonoma and Mendocino.

Craft Brewing and Distilling News:

•Boston Beer Company is entering the nascent “hard seltzer” category with the launch of a new brand, Truly Spiked & Sparkling. Billed as a low-calorie, low-carb, gluten-free alternative to wine, light beer and cocktails, Truly Spiked & Sparkling is 5% abv—containing alcohol made from cane sugar—and is rolling out across 20 major markets in three flavors: Colima Lime, Grapefruit & Pomelo and Pomegranate. The newcomer, which retails at $10-$11 a six-pack, has 100 calories and two grams of carbs per serving. Truly Spiked & Sparkling will compete against other hard seltzer brands like Spiked Seltzer and Nauti Seltzer.

•Southern California’s Ballast Point, recently acquired by Constellation Brands for $1 billion, is introducing a new version of its limited brew Calm Before The Storm. Rolling out in 12-ounce-bottle six-packs and on draft across the U.S. market, the new incarnation of Calm Before The Storm (5.5%-abv) is a lighter-bodied golden cream ale infused with cold brewed Caffé Calabria coffee and a hint of vanilla. Ballast Point had calendar 2015 sales of approximately $115 million.

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