News on the Global Wine Front
Pernod Sells Spanish Wine Brands
Pernod Ricard has announced the disposal, by its subsidiary Domecq Bodegas, of Spanish wine brands Marqués de Arienzo and Viña Eguίa. The sale also includes the related Bodega and 358 hectares of vineyards and lands.
The buyers are a consortium made up of Vinos de los Herederos del Marqués de Riscal SA and Gangutia SL (Bodegas Muriel) and the purchase was made for a cash consideration of €28 million on a debt free / cash free basis.
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Diageo Sells Its Bordeaux Wine Business
As 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. The sale includes brands, inventory and land, including Chateau Magnol. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
In May, Diageo announced a full review of its US wines business with the goal of focusing on “core strategic brands” like Beaulieu Vineyard wines, Sterling Vineyards, Chalone, Acacia, Rosenblum Cellars and Provenance.
In addition to its US wine brands, DC&E will continue to import wines to the US.
Sandra LeDrew, president, sales & marketing, DC&E said: “DC&E remains committed to our French Agency business and our dedicated Diageo distributor network across the country will continue to handle these wines as we have done with pride and success for many years.”
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Foster’s Wine Business Becomes Treasury Wine Estates
Foster’s Group has announced that Treasury Wine Estates is now the name of its global wine business.
The division accounts for 12,000 hectares of vineyards, 20 wineries and 50 wine brands not just from Australia. It also has interests in California, France, Italy and New Zealand. There are 4,000 employees, globally.
Foster’s bought Mildara Blass and Rothbury Wines in 1996, Beringer of California in 2001 and Southcorp in 2005.
Foster’s chief executive Ian Johnston, said: “The creation of Treasury Wine Estates marks the next natural step, accelerating a cultural change and business transformation that began with the completion of the Wine Strategic Review in February 2009.
“The new name and brand identity reflect the wealth of treasured wine brands that mark the core of this business.
“Treasury Wine Estates will harness the essence of great winemaking, with a focus on building company and shareholder value as creator and purveyor of quality wines in Australia, California and around the world,” he said.
“The announcement today does not pre-empt any outcome for our demerger, nor does it represent fundamental change in our business model. It does, however, represent the acceleration of a cultural change for those of us working in the wine business as we return to a dedicated focus on viticulture, wine making and the marketing and sale of one of the world’s most outstanding portfolios,” said Johnston.
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LVMH Appoints New Moet Boss
LVMH has appointed a new CEO for Maison Moet et Chandon.
Daniel Lalonde has taken over from Frédéric Cumenal.
Lalonde joined LVMH in 2002 as president and CEO, North America for the watches and jewellery business before becoming president and CEO of Louis Vuitton North America in 2006.
Lalonde is a Canadian national.
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Haushalter To Head Up Bordeaux Wine Council
Simultaneously and in addition to his current leadership of Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, Stéphane Baschiera will now be responsible for managing champagne support and resources.
Négociant Georges Haushalter is the new president of the Bordeaux Wine Council (CIVB). He was elected by the general assembly of the Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin Bordeaux this week.
The fifty-year-old has been general manager of the Compagnie Medocaine des Grands Crus wine merchant since 2002.
Already a member of the CIVB general assembly and bureau, as vice-president, Haushalter was formerly president of the Union des Maisons de Bordeaux (union of Bordeaux wine houses) and the Fédération des Syndicats du Commerce en Gros des Vins et Spiritueux de Bordeaux et de la Gironde (Bordeaux wine merchants’ association) (since December 2008). He has also chaired the CIVB marketing commission.
Haushalter takes over from vine grower, Alain Vironneau.
Click here for more information on the Bordeaux Wine Council
For more information about on-premise wine trends, check out Liquid Assets in the
July/August 2010 issue of Bar Business Magazine!
