Winegrape growers and vintners anxious to better understand why their “yes” votes are needed for the upcoming Pierce’s disease/Glassy-winged Sharpshooter (PD/GWSS) Referendum to continue the PD/GWSS assessment can now turn to a new comprehensive Web site: www.protectyourvineyard.com. Designed and launched by a coalition made up of the California Association of Winegrape Growers, Family Winemakers of California and Wine Institute, the new site provides in-depth analysis of the PD Referendum and the critical work the assessment has supported since 2001.

The Asociación de Viñas de Colchagua S.A. and the Colchagua Valley Wine Route would like to express their concern and solidarity with respect to the effects of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami that occurred on Saturday, February 27 in the central-southern zone of Chile. We have now been able to evaluate the consequences of these events on the wine and tourism industries in the Colchagua Valley and determine the losses that affect the volume of wine in storage, production facilities, and the tourism infrastructure of the Associated Wineries.

Central European Distribution Corporation (Nasdaq: CEDC) recently announced its results for the fiscal year 2009. Net Sales for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 were $1,507.1 million as compared to $1,647.0 million reported for the same period in 2008, which represents a decline of 8.5% driven primarily by the approximate 28% average devaluation of our primary functional currencies as well as a substantial decrease in net sales by our Polish distribution business partially offset by the effects of the consolidation of the Russian Alcohol Group in 2009. Net …

drinktec will in future take place over five days instead of six. In 2013 the World Fair for Beverage and Liquid Food Technology is to be held from Monday 16 September to Friday 20 September. This was decided by the exhibition management in consultation with the Advisory Board.

The eight international winners and 54 local winners of the 2010 ‘Best Of’ Wine Tourism awards, sponsored by the Great Wine Capitals Global Network, are now highlighted in an online brochure.

Foley Family Wines (“FFW”) today announced the appointment of Kerry Manahan-Ehlow as Chief Operating Officer- Sales and Marketing. In this role, Manahan-Ehlow will have full responsibility for global sales for all FFW brands, FFW’s New Zealand brands in the United Kingdom and Europe, as well as marketing, public relations and tasting room operations. Manahan-Ehlow will report directly to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, William P. Foley, II.

The 2009 crush totaled 4,089,160 tons, up 11 percent from the 2008 crush of 3,673,858 tons. This is only the second time in 10 years that California’s crush has exceeded 4 million tons. Red wine varieties accounted for the largest share of all grapes crushed, at 2,073,703 tons, up 24 percent from 2008. The 2009 white wine variety crush totaled 1,623,190 tons, up 21 percent from 2008. Tons crushed of raisin type varieties totaled 307,360, down 38 percent from 2008, and tons crushed of table type varieties totaled 84,907, down …

This 9th edition of the Vinisud exhibition saw Pays d’Oc wines achieve PGI status. After more than 20 years as a Vin de Pays [“Local Wine”], the new Common Organisation of the Wine Market is giving Pays d’Oc wine-growers and businesses a fresh impetus. The new European measure relies upon the concept of a wine’s place of origin: as of 1st August 2009, the leading European designation for varietal wines will change from Vin de Pays d’Oc to Vin de Cépages à Indication Géographique Protégée Pays d’Oc [“Pays d’Oc Varietal …

The 2010 New Zealand grape harvest, which has just commenced in northern regions, is expected to be slightly smaller than the 2009 vintage according to New Zealand Winegrowers’ annual pre-vintage survey.

On February 17, 2010, a number of French wine producers and traders were found guilty of mislabeling wine as “pinot noir.” The wine had actually been produced using less expensive grape varieties. The mislabeled wines were sold to American importers. TTB has been aware of this issue and has been involved over the past year in discussions with the appropriate French authorities responsible for the regulation of these products.

Leading winegrape growers and vintners around the state have joined forces to advocate to fellow growers and wineries in support of the upcoming Pierce’s Disease/Glassy-winged Sharpshooter (PD/GWSS) Referendum.

TTB has received many inquiries from industry members about the addition of vitamins and other nutrients, directly or indirectly through a flavor, to alcohol beverages. The issue of whether or not ingredients added to alcohol beverages are generally recognized as safe (GRAS), falls within the jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The thirtieth London International Wine Fair will see significant growth for many international pavilions, as well as increased presence for several UK agents. Organisers, Brintex, are also benefiting from the increased space at ExCeL due to the new extension, by bringing more of the popular LIWF and Distil features onto the show floor.

Sales in line with Group’s forecasts | Increase in gross margin rate | Continuing debt reduction | Confirmation of 2009/10 full-year guidance.
* Sales: € 3,789 million (-3%*)
* Profit from recurring operations: € 1,062 million (stable*)
* Group share of net profit from recurring operations: € 648 million
(-5% as reported and +6% at constant foreign exchange)
* Group share of net profit: € 604 million …