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Among the key labels driving growth is Newberg-based A to Z Wineworks, whose flagship A to Z brand grew 13% to 285,000 cases in the U.S. market last year, according to Impact Databank. A to Z’s Pinot Noir expression ($20 a 750-ml.), which comprises half the brand’s volume, grew by 13% last year, while its Pinot Gris and Chardonnay (both $15) rose by 10% and 9%, respectively, accounting for most of the remainder. “A to Z is now taking hold as a branded business, and resonating with people who are becoming loyal to a single brand,” says Ron Mertz, A to Z’s president of national sales. Two recent brand extensions—both launched last year to commemorate the winery’s 15th anniversary—have also played a role in the upswing: the sparkling rosé Bubbles ($18 a 750-ml.), and Pinot Noir label Essence of Oregon ($28). According to Mertz, Bubbles and Essence of Oregon have been very well received since the soft launch last fall. Launched as limited editions, both labels have become permanent additions to the lineup. Other A to Z offerings include a Riesling and a Sangiovese-based rosé in its core lineup, both retailing at $15 a 750-ml. “In terms of percentage growth, rosé and Riesling are outpacing our big three wines,” Mertz says. “We’re ramping up production on those two labels to meet demand, and to ensure we can offer them year-round.” Riesling and rosé each currently account for about 15,000 cases of production. This year, A to Z plans to focus wholly on its existing lineup. “We don’t want to distract from building our core wines, and so far that’s been working for us,” Mertz says. “In particular, we’re betting on Chardonnay from Oregon becoming a big thing.” Vinexpo Expected To Draw 3,000 Attendees At Upcoming New York Event Vinexpo New York is set to launch at Manhattan’s Javits Center March 5-6, marking Vinexpo’s first U.S.-based event in nearly 15 years. Jointly organized with global media group Diversified Communications, the show will highlight more than 470 producers from 23 countries and span 75,000 square feet of exhibition space. Vinexpo CEO Guillaume Deglise tells SND the New York event is expected to attract around 3,000 professionals from across the wine and spirits industry, including importers, retailers, buyers, distributors and sommeliers. “The market has changed so much in 15 years,” says Deglise. “The U.S. is now the world’s largest wine consuming market, and one of the leading markets for spirits. Vinexpo New York is a platform for companies who want to enter the U.S., or for those who want to improve their distribution in this challenging market." Going forward, the Vinexpo New York show will be held annually in March. This year’s show will offer an array of special programming, including the Wine Spectator 90+ Club Showcase and a press conference and tasting session hosted by Wine Origins Alliance. Other highlights include panel discussions on U.S. market trends and a number of presentations and master classes. Vinexpo previously held one-off New York and Chicago events in 2002 and 2004, respectively. This year’s New York show joins the Vinexpo flagship Bordeaux event, held in odd-numbered years since 1981, as well as its Hong Kong and Tokyo shows. As part of its invitation-only Explorer program, which launched last fall in Austria, Vinexpo will hold a second U.S. event this year in Sonoma County, from September 23-25. The group also plans to launch a new show in Paris in 2020. Visit Vinexpo New York’s website for more information and to register. News Briefs: •Italy’s Risata Wines has expanded its lineup with Brachetto d’Acqui, a new sparkling red wine. Made with 100% Brachetto grapes, the new DOCG entry will be available nationwide starting April 1st, priced at $17 a 750-ml. Brachetto d’Acqui joins portfoliomates Moscato d’Asti, Pink Moscato, il Rosso, and Prosecco in the Risata range. Prestige Beverage Group handles the Risata brand in the U.S., where it sells above 400,000 cases annually, according to Impact Databank. Craft Brewing And Distilling News: •Boston Beer Company has reported a net revenue decline of 4.8%, to roughly $863 million, for its full fiscal 2017, as shipment volume also fell 6.2% to 3.8 million barrels. The craft beer giant was hampered by soft performances from its Samuel Adams and Angry Orchard franchises, while its Twisted Tea and Truly Spiked & Sparkling brands carved out growth. For 2018, Boston Beer expects to raise national prices by zero to 2% and will hike advertising, promotional, and selling expenses by around $15 to $25 million. The company is projecting shipment growth between zero and 6% for 2018. •Vermont Hard Cider and Pabst Brewing will terminate their partnership in the U.S. effective April 1. Pabst has been handling sales and marketing for Vermont Hard Cider—a subsidiary of Ireland’s C&C Group—since March of 2016, including the group’s Woodchuck, Wyders, and Magners brands. Moving forward, Vermont Hard Cider will resume full responsibility for sales and marketing of its portfolio, which has struggled in recent years owing to an influx of competition in the cider category, including the rise of new contenders like Boston Beer’s Angry Orchard, AB InBev’s Stella Artois Cidre, and MillerCoors’ Crispin, among others. C&C acquired the cider maker for $305 million in 2012. •Maryland’s Lyon Distilling Company is entering the Connecticut and Delaware markets. In Delaware, the distiller is partnering with Craft Wine & Spirits for distribution, while in Connecticut its partner is Highland Imports. The expansion will bring Lyon’s portfolio of rums and ultra small-batch corn, malt, and rye whiskies to a total of four markets, also including the distillery’s home state and Washington D.C. Craft Wine & Spirits also handles Lyon’s spirits in the D.C. market. Recently in the News: Interview: Brian McDole of Giant Eagle Loch Lomond Named Official Sponsor Of British Open Constellation Looks To The On-Premise To Boost Svedka | |