Rhode Island’s only trade magazine and comprehensive online resource for the local licensed beer, wine and spirits industry. Market’s Largest Product Source Brand & Price Index Local News, Photos & Columns GET LEARN READ SHOP MARKET INFORMATION ABOUT NEW NEWS, BE NEWS PRODUCTS & PRICES PRODUCTS ANYTIME INCLUDED IN YOUR SUBSCRIPTION PASSWORD TO ACCESS THE ONLINE PRODUCT PORTAL REAL-TIME PRODUCTS AND PRICES, ANYTIME, VIA MOBILE PHONE, TABLET OR LAPTOP CONTACT US TO SUBSCRIBE CALL US AT 203.288.3375 | VISIT US AT WWW.THEBEVERAGEJOURNAL.COM FEBRUARY2015 FEATURES 10 In the Name of Love On-Premise Advice speaks of Valentine’s wines held dear to the heart. 12 Cocktail Corner Avoid a deep freeze with a little seasonal cocktail creativity. 18 Supply and Demand This month’s guest columnist shows how brands create 10 craft beer sales buzz. 20 Retail Review Spring Street Spirits surprises with a niche in Newport. 24 The Deal with Burgundy Quality is solid, but can retailers get enough to sell at a decent price? 18 20 24 February 2015 RHODE ISLAND BEVERAGE JOURNAL 3 FEBRUARY2015 26 Bar Talk Jim Kearns oversees The Happiest Hour in Manhattan. 28 What’s in a Name? As ‘craft’ spirits continue to grow, the term itself comes under fi re. 26 34 Taming the Beast Umbrian wine producers cultivate the elegant side of Sagrantino. 40 Lowering the Bar Less-potent cocktails are lean, provocative and profi table. 28 40 34 DEPARTMENTS 5 Market Point 13 Around Town 22 Serving Up 6 News Front 17 Association News 38 New Products & Promotions 11 The Find 21 By The Numbers HOW BEER, WINE LIQUOR BRAND INDEX BEER BRAND INDEX AND SPIRITS WINE BRAND INDEX SHOPPING NETWORK Page 1a GET TO THE THE INDEX MARKETPLACE The largest compilation of beverage alcohol price and brand information. 4 RHODE ISLAND BEVERAGE JOURNAL February 2015 See www.thebeveragejournal.com for online product access RHODE ISLAND BEVERAGE JOURNAL Volume 79, February 2015, No. 2 (ISSN 0035-4652) February’s issue shows the love (to the industry) by covering the hot topics that help you boost your business, with PUBLISHER Gerald P. Slone on- and off-premise tips and tools for creating value for [email protected] your customers. EDITOR Dana Slone [email protected] ° Our cover story is “Craft: What’s in a Name?” and it could not be timelier. How the trade uses the term “craft” is having an impact on how the category is DIRECTOR OF WHOLESALE SERVICES Laurie Buick defined: turn the pages for more. [email protected] ° And when it comes to craft beer, consumers use many online tools (from the SUBSCRIPTION/RETAIL SERVICES Beer Advocate blog to a brand’s state delivery schedule via social media) to Brian Slone hunt down their beloved beers. Our guest columnist gives her perspective on [email protected] where the buzz leads: to your doors. DESIGN Evan Fraser ° The local focus can be found in Retail Review and Serving Up; and don’t forget [email protected] Around Town. It’s where your brands and your news can be seen: trade tastings, product launches, industry event coverage and more. Read them in this issue WRITERS and then send in your news for the next. Lauren Daley Bob Sample SUBSCRIPTIONS & RENEWALS Subscription includes Cellar user ID and password All sales are final. thebeveragejournal.com 203.288.3375 ° We go on-premise with a look at low-calorie cocktails. This could be the next Published Monthly By: The Rhode Island Beverage Journal; significant step in the cocktail renaissance, with fortified and aromatized wines 2508 Whitney Avenue, P.O. Box 185159; Hamden, CT 06518 is devoted to all liquor, wine and beer licensees. playing a key role in the mix. Nothing may be reproduced or uploaded without written permission from the publisher. This includes articles, ° Sagrantino, a hearty red wine from Umbria, may be currently under the radar but pictures, pdf files, online or electronic versions. Not it is comparable in intensity to Brunellos and Barolos. Find out how to increase responsible for unsolicited material or advertising claims. its value in your wine sales. The opinions expressed here are that of the individual authors and not necessarily the views of The Rhode Island Look for New Products & Promotions, the place to read about what’s hot to Beverage Journal. We reserve the right to reject any material ° that is flawed due to content or design. stock on the shelf or the bar. All advertisements and price list advertising are subject to the approval of The Beverage Journal which reserves the ° Remember too, outside of the pages, we offer our password-protected product right to edit, reject or properly classify. shopping website. There you will find the best place to search and manage your product portfolio right when you need it -- through a tablet, laptop or mobile device. If you have not used it yet, we can show you how. Call Laurie or Brian to Periodicals postage paid at New Haven, CT. get started. Postmaster: Send address changes to: RI Beverage Journal, P.O. Box 185159, Hamden CT 06518 DO NOT FORWARD. National Coverage, Local Advantage The Beverage Network Publications are served by: Beverage Media Group, Inc. 116 John Street, 23rd floor, New York, NY 10038 tel 212.571.3232 fax 212.571.4443 www.bevnetwork.com February 2015 RHODE ISLAND BEVERAGE JOURNAL 5 NEWSFRONT NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION ROLLS BELVEDERE VODKA ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP OUT “BAR” FOR ANNUAL TRADE SHOW WITH THE 24TH JAMES BOND ADVENTURE The National Restaurant Belvedere Vodka is collaborating Association (NRA) announced with Albert R. Broccoli's EON a new name for its show within Productions, Metro-Goldwyn- a show, BAR (Beverage Alcohol Mayer Studios and Sony Pictures for Restaurants) at NRA Show Entertainment to promote 2015, formerly known as the International Wine, Spirits & “Spectre,” the 24th installment Beer Event. Dedicated to helping professionals develop a of the James Bond series, due for successful bar program in foodservice establishments, BAR at global release on November 6, NRA Show 2015 will take place in the Lakeside Ballroom at 2015. Belvedere will release two Chicago’s McCormick Place on May 17-18. The “show within custom-made and limited editions a show” will take place concurrently with the 2015 National to celebrate Bond's vodka martini. Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, Belvedere has replaced the iconic running from May 16-19. “We wanted our attendees to have Belvedere Palace with the famous a direct word association with BAR at NRA Show and its MI6 headquarters and its signature blue palette will be switched purpose, which is to connect beverage alcohol to restaurant for a distinctive green, mirroring the secret spy agency's ink menus and brands and vice versa,” says convention chair of choice, for a collector's edition of 100 bottles. Belvedere's John Metz. “Now, not only the name, but also the location “Spectre” marketing program includes a global advertising will showcase the importance of beverage alcohol and campaign and a wide range of promotion and activation rights foodservice working hand-in-hand to contribute to an around the film. operation’s bottom line.” CRIMSON WINE GROUP ANNOUNCES WINES OF SOUTH AFRICA INVESTS IN EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP CHANGES EDUCATING AMERICAN CONSUMERS Napa’s Crimson Wine Group, Wines of South Africa Ltd announced the promotion of (WOSA), a not-for-profit Patrick DeLong to the position industry organization that of President and Chief Executive promotes the exports of Officer, and also named Craig all South African wine, Williams as Chief Operating announced the launch of a year- Officer as well as moving him to long integrated communications campaign that will include the newly-created position of Chief public relations, social media and event marketing. The Winegrower. DeLong, who has 2015 campaign will aim to educate and challenge American been at Crimson for the past seven Patrick DeLong, President and CEO. wine drinkers to experience the broad spectrum of wines and a half years, was previously available from South Africa. Another goal of 2015 will be Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer. He succeeds to translate Americans’ excitement surrounding the category Erle Martin, who left the company earlier this year. DeLong and into increased availability of South African wine in on- and Williams began their new roles on Jan. 1, 2015. Crimson owns off-premise accounts. Even though many regard South Africa and manages over 870 acres of vineyard land across five distinct as a “new world” wine producing country, WOSA, which regions. Their brands include Pine Ridge Vineyards (Napa, Calif.), represents over 500 exporters, is looking to “illuminate the Seghesio Family Vineyards (Healdsburg, Calif.), Archery Summit history, depth and range of South Africa’s vinous prowess” (Dayton, Ore.), Chamisal Vineyards (San Luis Obispo, Calif.), and among new consumers. Double Canyon (Prosser, Wash.). 6 RHODE ISLAND BEVERAGE JOURNAL February 2015 See www.thebeveragejournal.com for online product access NAPA REDEFINED At Napa Cellars, we’re putting a modern spin on classic Napa wines, combining Napa’s legendary terroir with contemporary sensibilities to create delicious wines that possess all of the character you’ve come to expect from Napa, but with an attitude and price that we think you’ll find rather refreshing. In doing so, we’re redefining what Napa wine can be. Cheers! ©2015 Napa Cellars, Oakville, CA Oakville, Cellars, Napa ©2015 NapaCellars.com NC-2015 Bev Media Ad-Feb.indd 1 1/8/15 3:56 PM NEWSFRONT SKINNYGIRL COCKTAILS DONATES TO DRESS 2014 CRAFT BEER IN REVIEW FOR SUCCESS DURING THE HOLIDAYS DATA AVAILABLE Skinnygirl® Cocktails The Brewers Association and founder Bethenny looked back on how craft Frankel donated $150,000 brewers fared in 2014 to Dress for Success®, an and released its statistics international not-for-profit of note.