Archive for the ‘Wine Business’ Category

Jun 1, 2006

Removing All CA Vineyards…Twice Over.

The crisis in the European wine world has less to do with quality and more to do with quantity. Let’s face it, wonderful wines are made across the continent. Yet, the Europeans, led by the French, are getting their hats handed to them by imports of relatively high quality, low priced wine from the New World. Something has to be done and it appears that the European Union is on the job. The Financial Times reports that among the European-wide…

May 25, 2006

The Definition of Taste

What is "a taste" of wine? This is the issue that the Director of the Alcohol Beverage Control office of the State of California is clearing up. In a memo from the Directors office to it’s division and branch offices, the Director has made clear that "Since the Legislature has determined that a 1 ounce serving is sufficient and reasonable to acquaint a consumer with the qualities and characteristics of wine in an on-sale environment, it is reasonable to conclude…

May 18, 2006

Two Buck Chuck Creator: An Articulate Guy

It’s hard to get a handle on Fred Franzia, CEO of Bronco Wine Company and producer of Two Buck Chuck, among other wine brands. Reading about his life and attitudes and beliefs in the latest issue of INC, you get the impression this is a man who will pull no punches and go after the things he wants in a fairly direct fashion. Among the brands owned by Bronco Wine Company are: ForestVille, Estrella, Charles Shaw, Montpellier, Grand Cru, Silver…

May 16, 2006

Taking Stock in Wine (Or Donuts)

The wine industry in America is in good shape. Sales are growing. More people are taking to wine. There are issues for the American wine industry, such as falling market share that is being accumulated by imports. But overall, things are moving in the right direction at the moment. Ever wonder….maybe I should invest in the wine industry. Maybe put a bit of my IRA in wine-related stocks? Probably the three largest and most visible public wine companies are Constellation…

May 12, 2006

Wine Flying High

I’m one of those guys that likes to get to the airport early, well before my flight. It’s a thing I have about being paranoid about missing the plane. Plus, I like airports.There’s something about watching lots of people move about in a transitional state that I find fascinating. It’s going to get easier to enjoy my early arrivals when I fly out of Sacramento. A report in USA Today notes that San Francisco-based Taste, Inc got approval to open…