Decanting Crew

Shipping Containers: Another Green Opportunity for Eco-Wineries

Barry Potyondi — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 15:54:32 +0000

Erich Brandt, Senior VP of ACH Foam Technologies, thinks wineries on the green radar need to take a second look at the containers their wine bottles are shipped in. WineLoc EPS wine shippers, designed to protect wines from temperature fluctuations as well as breakage, offer another opportunity for wineries to go green.

via Shipping Containers: Another Green Opportunity for Eco-Wineries | SYS-CON MEDIA.

Bill C-311 is the law of the land – now what?

Barry Potyondi — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 18:17:31 +0000

Since we last checked in on the progress of federal Bill C-311 (which received Royal Assent on June 28, 2012) amending the interprovincial shipment of wines across the country, a couple of interesting issues have surfaced in British Columbia.

via Bill C-311 is the law of the land – now what? | BC Wine Lover.

New Marketing for Beaujolais: It’s All About the Crus

Barry Potyondi — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 14:27:37 +0000

Earlier this year, in DrinksBusiness, writer Andrew Catchpole referred to a renewed campaign by Inter Beaujolais, the official wine-regulating body of the region, to improve the recognition and appreciation of Beaujolais wines. In summary, Inter Beaujolais suggested three tactics: adding the gamay variety to the label, adding the Beaujolais regional designation to the all Cru bottlings, and encouraging aging of selected prestige bottlings.

via New Marketing for Beaujolais: It’s All About the Crus | PALATE PRESS.

Privatization and BC Wine Pricing in the News

Barry Potyondi — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:58:18 +0000

The BC Government’s liquor privatization project (the Distribution of Liquor Project or “DLP”) has been in the news a great deal this past week, getting increasingly negative coverage. Many commentators have correctly identified that the existing government monopoly system is inefficient and flawed but have criticized the DLP process for a lack of transparency and failure to consult with both the public and industry. In addition, some have questioned the scope of the reforms being put forwards and the wisdom of replacing a public monopoly with a private one (particularly given that the new operator will be bound by existing BCGEU labour contracts and costs).

via Privatization and BC Wine Pricing in the News – WineLaw.ca.

Wineries urged to make better use of technology

Barry Potyondi — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 16:06:32 +0000

North Coast wineries must step up efforts to improve their websites and utilize an array of tools to engage with customers or risk seeing those relationships weaken, experts told industry executives Wednesday at an annual conference.

Technology is swiftly reshaping the economy in a way that is comparable to the immense changes unleashed by the Industrial Revolution, said Dave Maney, founder of Economaney, a Lakewood, Colo., consulting firm.

via Wineries urged to make better use of technology | PressDemocrat.com.

US wineries uncork Internet innovations

Barry Potyondi — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 16:05:24 +0000

From iPads in vineyards to virtual tastings on Twitter, the tradition-steeped US wine industry is increasingly turning to Internet Age innovations to improve vintages and profits. via US wineries uncork … Continue reading →

French cows reared on fine wine

Barry Potyondi — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 14:27:21 +0000

Apparently we are not the only creatures who enjoy a good glass of vino!

The extraordinary development has seen a ‘Vinbovin’ label of meat established which is already being championed by some of the best restaurants in Paris.

It follows an experiment in Lunel-Viel, in the southern Herault region of France, which saw three cows fed local wine for four months.

via French cows reared on fine wine – Telegraph.

B.C. allows Canadian wines to be shipped across provincial borders without markups

Barry Potyondi — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 15:13:13 +0000

n what could be considered lightning speed by government standards, BC wine industry insiders and advocates are getting the Government of British Columbia to respond to their demands for more openness to markets. As a first step, this morning Minister Rich Coleman in cooperation with the BC Wine Institute, has announced that BC residents can purchase unlimited quantities of Canadian wine directly from producers from outside BC without provincial markups.

The Minister is now encouraging other Canadian provinces to follow BC’s lead and “to take immediate steps to reciprocate by opening up their borders and allow all Canadians to order wine over the Internet”. This is good news for wine consumers, and provided other provinces like Ontario follow suit, BC winemakers will benefit from the expanded market.

via B.C. allows Canadian wines to be shipped across provincial borders without markups | BC Wine Lover.

Wine flash-deal business is maturing

Barry Potyondi — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 23:21:55 +0000

A new group of middlemen is emerging in the U.S. wine business, using “flash-deal,” Groupon-like tactics to connect consumers with wineries and brands at very appealing prices.

via Wine flash-deal business is maturing – Wine Watch – MarketWatch.

Success through co-operation

Barry Potyondi — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 21:22:11 +0000

Wineries in the Okanagan Valley are typically low production, modest revenue operations. One effective way to leverage your limited marketing budgets is through co-operative ventures with your peers. Here’s a California example of common tasting facilities that might work well within the tight geographical confines of the Valley.

A joint wine-tasting room opening in September north of Escondido will be a boon to six mom-and-pop vineyards and winemaking operations along the I-15 corridor.

via Area wineries bond for success | UTSanDiego.com.