June 2020

PERNOD RICARD OFFERS FREE “SUSTAINABLE” ONLINE BARTENDING COURSE

Pernod Ricard has just announced the launch of its online sustainable and responsible bartending training modules, targeting bar professionals.

The Covid-19 crisis has hit the hospitality industry hard. French drinks giant Pernod Ricard predicts solidarity, sustainability and responsibility will be paramount in future, and as such, the company has partnered with online training providers UNITAR and EdApp to create free bartending online courses on green and responsible practices, available worldwide.

Pernod Ricard’s in-house training group Pernod Ricard University has developed the courses in partnership with anti-waste bartending organizations TrashTiki and the Sustainable Restaurant Association. The curriculum covers all aspects of sustainability and responsibility – from fresh ingredient use and responsible serving of alcoholic beverages to waste management – directly aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is based on four pillars (ingredients, service, bar and staff) and assesses each through the 5Rs model: Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Respect.

There is also a stand-alone course dedicated to alcohol and responsible drinking. This course focuses on what alcohol is, differentiates myths from facts, and equips users with knowledge to encourage responsible drinking.

Vanessa Wright, Vice President of sustainability and responsibility at Pernod Ricard, commented: “As Créateurs de Convivialité, we strongly believe in sharing with others and supporting communities. During the Covid-19 crisis, among other initiatives, our Group has been supporting the bartending community through various projects including Jameson’s partnership with the US Bartenders’ Guild, Pernod Ricard South Africa’s donation to local hospitality workers and the J’aime mon Bistrot programme in France.

“Bartenders, and the hospitality industry more broadly, have always been very important partners, as well as drivers of innovation – perfectly placed at the forefront of our changing world, embedding sustainable and responsible practices and enabling others to do the same. In preparing for the future, this online training module is another milestone of our joint journey towards the bar world of tomorrow.”

Click here to access the online course for more details.

L’uva Bella, Ohio’s Largest Winery Acquired by Millennial Investors

L’uva Bella, the largest winery by volume in the state of Ohio, has been acquired by Marisa Sergi, 26, and Evan Schumann, 25, through their investment fund, S’quared Holdings.

The winery, based in Poland Township, primarily produces bulk wine for private label and retail channels. It also makes a range of grape and other fruit juice products.

The financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed, but the price paid by S’quared Holdings is believed to be “in the mid seven-figure range”.

The winery was founded 15 years ago by Sergi’s father, Frank. Marisa is a third-generation winemaker and already produces wine under the RedHead Wine label, which is distributed in Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania, with plans to also launch in Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee.

She said she hopes to add further product lines to the winery’s range, as well as branch into organic wine and extend distribution into five to 10 more states.

“We’ll also be implementing innovative partnerships and plan to hire six to 15 more people in the next three to five years,” she said. “We are willing to bet on ourselves, our team, and our community despite the challenging current environment. We believe we can build a bright and prosperous future for our company and our employees by continuing to produce great products and to go above and beyond to make our customers happy.”

Her business partner, Evan Schumann, studied entrepreneurship and finance at university and is member of the fifth generation of his family’s business, Ohio-based metal refinery Schumann & Co. He is the founder of Zitek Corporation and management consulting firm Matrix Growth Ventures, and has also worked for Magnus International and PrintCB.

Source: Drinks Business and L’uva Bella

Women in Wine Talks: Leadership in Challenging Times with Maggie Henriquez PhD, President and CEO of Krug Champagne – June 23 2020

Les Dames d’Escoffier Ontario (Canada) is proud to host “Women in Wine TalksTM” as an online platform to raise awareness of women in the wine industry to impact positive change. We shine the spotlight on global women business leaders, winemakers, authors and industry experts.

CONCEPT
Women in Wine TalksTM are inspiring conversations, virtual wine- tastings and panel discussions with wine industry experts. “Memorable and Elevated Virtual Experiences.”

NEXT UP
Women in Wine Talks with Margareth (Maggie) Henriquez Ph.D., President & CEO, Krug Maison de Champagne, and President, LVMH Estates and Wine Division “The Turnaround CEO”

Maggie Henriquez Ph.D. needs little introduction. She is an extraordinary speaker and inspirational leader, is incredibly dynamic and a visionary. Maggie is the President and CEO of Krug Maison de Champagne and President of LVMH Estates & Wine Division. She will not only capture your heart; she will fully engage your mind with her talk on Leadership in Challenging Times.

REGISTRATION

June 23, 2020 1:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

To register in advance for this Women in Wine Talk:

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/leadership-in-challenging-times-with-maggie-henriquez-ceo-of-krug-champagne-tickets-109305076426

Please note: Limited Space

Ascot Launches Wine Club

Royal Ascot 2020 was canceled in April due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis. The racecourse’s flagship five-day event will not be open to the public, but organizers still hope to draw in fans by broadcasting the popular outing behind closed doors. Racegoers will still be able to enjoy the racing action, take part in themed activities and dress up at home to bring Royal Ascot to life.

As an event which truly showcases the very best in food and drink, Ascot has launched the ‘Ascot Wine Club’ in association with its wine and champagne suppliers Hallgarten & Novum Wines and Moët & Chandon.

Three cases of wine are available, each named after former Gold Cup Champions – The Yeats Case, The Sagaro Case and The Fame and Glory Case – featuring wines from across Hallgarten Wines’ award-winning portfolio and Moët & Chandon’s flagship cuvées. Customers will also be able to create their own mixed cases with wines at a special Ascot Wine Club price.

10% of all wine sales through their website will be donated to Ascot Racecourse Supports Charitable Fund.

Juliet Slot, chief commercial officer at Ascot Racecourse, said: “As we plan for Royal Ascot 2020 behind closed doors, we wanted to offer a delivery service of some of our best-loved Royal Ascot wines while supporting the Ascot Racecourse Supports Charitable Fund. Combined with expert pairing advice, we hope The Ascot Wine Club will help bring the Royal Ascot experience to life, wherever you are watching the action from in this unprecedented year.”

WBWE Asia Launches Virtual Wine Exhibition July 12-13 in Yantai

The World Bulk Wine Exhibition, WBWE Asia has just launched a virtual wine exhibition, which will include an online trading system in which wineries will establish direct contact with buyers.

How it will work

The technology-based communication system will allow wineries to close deals without being in person at the trade fair. Wines will be shipped to China as usual and displayed with a promotional stand, material and staff representing the winery. Chinese buyers and merchants will be able to taste the wine and can ask winery managers any further details via WBWE Asia’s virtual system.

WBWE will be inviting buyers, purchasing managers, consultants, managers, merchants and the media to the fair on 12-13 July in the city of Yantai. All attendees will receive a list of those exhibiting before the show starts.

Winery managers who are unable to travel to the exhibition can instead “virtually attend”.

The statement noted: “Winery managers will be able to do business from their offices or their place of origin, whilst virtually attending the fair with the same trading warranty as if they were in China.

“Right now, it is too soon to be certain that the fairs of the future will follow this route, yet we cannot afford to run the risk of stopping exports while we wait to see what unfolds.”

“WBWE Asia ensures that your winery is accurately displayed and that your wines are available to be tasted by an important portfolio of buyers and distributors from China, whether you can attend the fair in person or via the internet.”

WBWE Asia noted that the bulk wine market was helping the Chinese market to recover from Covid losses. Imports of bag-in-box (BIB) to China rose from 1.12 million litres to 1.14 million litres in the first quarter of 2020.

World Bulk Wine Exhibition ASIA Website wbweasia.com