Wine & Spirits

RSS

The romanticism of history is what keeps books like “The Great Gatsby” popular with today’s youth, but that same glamorization also is taking shape in the spirits category within the latest emerging segment: moonshine.

In a hypothetical “Star Wars” scenario, Darth Vader could use the dark side of the Force to telekinetically shatter a glass bottle of vodka from across the room, for instance.

Constellation Brands Inc., Victor, N.Y., reported net sales for the 2014 fiscal year were more than $4.8 billion, a 74 percent increase, following its acquisition of the Grupo Modelo U.S. beer business.

Wine importer Cabernet Corp. introduced Rosa Brut Nature Rosé Malbec to the U.S. market.

The board of directors of Hamilton, Bermuda-based Bacardi Ltd. announced the departure of President and Chief Executive Officer Ed Shirley. Shirley expressed his plans to retire after his 36-year career, the company says.

Trinchero Family Estates introduced the first new product innovation line in its Trinchero National Spirits division: Sugar Island Coconut and Spiced Rums.

Beam Inc. added a new Peach flavor to its line of Cruzan Rums.

Blue Ice Vodka, a brand of 21st Century Spirits, introduced its first flavored vodka: Blue Ice Crème Brûlée Vodka.

Hong Kong-based Vats Liquor and Constellation Brands Inc., Victor, N.Y., announced a long-term strategic agreement to jointly develop the wine brand Robert Mondavi in China. Vats Liquor and Constellation will work together to exclusively market and promote the brand. The format and the scale of this agreement are unique in the global wine industry, the companies say.

Because water is key to its production processes, Hamilton, Bermuda-based Bacardi Ltd. has set new goals through its “Good Spirited” global sustainability program in order to become more ecologically responsible for the production of its flagship brand, Bacardi Rum, it says.