Connecticut’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 ONLINE ORDERING 24/7 CONTACT US TO SUBSCRIBE CALL US AT 203.288.3375 | VISIT US AT WWW.THEBEVERAGEJOURNAL.COM JANUARY2015 FEATURES 10 Green Mountain Momentum Vermont’s spirits and beers are striking a chord with consumers 12 Local Down-Lo A handful of local beverage professionals weigh in on 2015 top trends. 14 Industry Awards The annual CRA awards and dinner shines a spotlight on the 10 state’s industry. 34 Brand Profi le Washington’s historic Columbia Winery streamlines its wine line-up. 36 Under One Roof Germany’s ProWein trade show gathers global steam as the top spot for the trade. 44 Catching Up On Rye A recent growth spurt and brown goods momentum make rye the whiskey to bet on. A Thyme to Cook celebrate being named “Caterer of the Year.” Photo by Brian Ambrose. 14 36 44 January 2015 CONNECTICUT BEVERAGE JOURNAL 3 JANUARY2015 48 Special Report: Garnacha This Mediterranean grape is ready for prime time. 54 Crystal Ball 2015 Industry veterans share their trends to watch in wine, spirits and technology. 56 Sister Act Robin and Andréa McBride fi nd their way with Truvée wines. 48 58 Bar Talk Matthew Conway, of Restaurant Marc Forgione in NYC, forges ahead. 56 54 DEPARTMENTS 5 Market Point 30 New Products & Promotions 40 Serving Up 6 News Front 32 Guest Column 42 Beer Column 16 Around Town 38 Retail Review HOW BEER, WINE LIQUOR BRAND INDEX JOURNAL CLASSIFIED AND SPIRITS WINE BRAND INDEX SHOPPING NETWORK Page 1a GET TO THE BEER BRAND INDEX THE INDEX MARKETPLACE The largest compilation of beverage alcohol price and brand information. 4 CONNECTICUT BEVERAGE JOURNAL January 2015 See www.thebeveragejournal.com for online product access CONNECTICUT BEVERAGE JOURNAL Volume 80, January, 2015 No. 1 (ISSN 0744-1843) Happy New Year! January is here and so is the fi rst issue of 2015. With a fresh 365 days to cover the market’s news, PUBLISHER Gerald P. Slone remember that your brands, products and people belong in [email protected] The Beverage Journal. EDITOR Dana Slone [email protected] What New Year issue would be complete without a look forward to 2015 trends and predictions? We've got them. DIRECTOR OF WHOLESALE SERVICES Laurie Buick The cover story features Rye, which has risen phoenix-like from turn of the 21st [email protected] century doldrums; and is growing even faster than bourbon. SUBSCRIPTION/RETAIL SERVICES Brian Slone We also look at how Vermont fl avors are trending in our state based on some key [email protected] consumer buzzwords: organic, authentic and green. DESIGN Speaking of green, a guest column sorts through the grey area of the green wine Evan Fraser consumer to help you serve these customers more effectively. [email protected] WRITERS Lauren Daley Bob Sample SUBSCRIPTIONS & RENEWALS $40 FOR ONE YEAR $8 FOR SINGLE COPY $68 FOR TWO YEARS (Includes shipping and handling) Subscription includes Cellar user ID and password All sales are fi nal. We also have a six-page feature on Garnacha, an under-appreciated and ready- for-primetime grape. thebeveragejournal.com 203.288.3375 Published Monthly By: Beverage Publications, Inc; 2508 Brand profi les bring wine into focus: Washington’s Columbia Winery and Truvée Whitney Avenue, P.O. Box 185159; Hamden, CT 06518 is Wines, a new charity-based effort. We also look at ProWein, the fastest growing devoted to all liquor, wine and beer licensees as described by the Department of Consumer Protection, Liquor Control industry trade show. Division. Nothing may be reproduced or uploaded without written As always, help us help you this year. We offer the market’s only online and print permission from the publisher. This includes articles, resource for your beverage shopping and ordering needs. Let us show you all the pictures, pdf fi les, online or electronic versions. Not responsible for unsolicited material or advertising claims. tools — whether you are a wholesaler, supplier, retailer or on-premise venue — that are included with your subscription. The opinions expressed here are that of the individual authors and not necessarily the views of Beverage Publication, Inc. We reserve the right to reject any material that is fl awed due to content or design. All advertisements and price list advertising are subject to The past year was about connecting to, and celebrating with, our local market, talent and the approval of The Beverage Journal which reserves the right to edit, reject or properly classify. industry through showcasing the variety and uniqueness of the trade. This continues in what we report, publish and showcase as well as in our day-to-day business with you. Check Periodicals postage paid at New Haven, CT. out what your neighbors are up to in this month’s Around Town, Retail Review, Serving Up Postmaster: Send address changes to: CT Beverage Journal, P.O. Box 185159, Hamden CT 06518 and so much more. Thank you for helping us grow and to stay in tune with the local market. DO NOT FORWARD. Let’s keep that going, and growing, in the New Year. National Coverage, Local Advantage The Beverage Network Publications are served by: Beverage Media Group, Inc. - Editor’s Note 116 John Street, 23rd fl oor, New York, NY 10038 tel 212.571.3232 fax 212.571.4443 www.bevnetwork.com January 2015 CONNECTICUT BEVERAGE JOURNAL 5 NEWSFRONT DIPPING GLOBAL VODKA SALES SET FOR of Alcohol Policy and Reputation Management, Dr. Danielle GROWTH IN NEW YEAR Robinson, the Darwin Davis Corporate Award for the promotion of responsible drinking and her contributions to the community. Worldwide vodka sales fell by The NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest nonpartisan civil 1.1% to 496.4m cases in 2013, hit rights organization. “The NAACP’s mission to promote inclusion by continued declines in Eastern and ensure equal rights for all aligns with Diageo’s core values and and Central Europe, according to a commitment to diversity and inclusion,” said Cherie Sheridan, newly released “The International Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Diageo North America. Wine & Spirit Research (IWSR) Report.” However, the sector “continues to thrive” elsewhere, EDWARDS NAMED AMBASSADOR OF THE notably in the Americas and Asia-Pacific, where sales were up by YEAR BY ICONS OF WHISKY AMERICA 1.4m and 1.5m cases, respectively. The market research report on global vodka also forecasts that the category will return to growth, Rick Edwards, Master of Scotch for Pernod with IWSR expecting vodka sales to peak at just over 500m cases Ricard USA, was named Ambassador of in 2016, before undergoing a “slight downward correction.” The the Year by Icons of Whisky. Edwards has IWSR also forecasts "unrelenting growth” in the United States, 18 years of whisky industry experience, with the market predicted to reach 75m cases by 2018. including studying with Evan Cattanach, Master Keeper of the Quaich and Master CHATEAU CLOS DUBREUIL PRODUCES THE Distiller Emeritus. He has worked for FIRST CHARDONNAY FROM BORDEAUX several prestigious Scottish distilleries in positions ranging from Brand Ambassador to National Mentor The Trocard Family, winegrowers since 1620, and in 2001, fulfilled a lifelong dream when he was invited to the announced a rare new wine to the Clos Dubreuil Royal Lochnagar Academy of Malt Advocates, where he earned portfolio: the first Chardonnay from the Right the title of Master of Scotch. Edwards also completed the Chivas Bank wine region, developed under direction of Brothers Masters Course as an ambassador for The Glenlivet and Winemaker Benoit Trocard, 15th generation of is a member of the Whisky Technology & Production Academy. his family-owned business based in Saint-Emilion, The Icons of Whisky recognize the leaders and innovators in the Bordeaux, France. Trocard used the location of his whisky and scotch category every year. estate in Lussac as “the perfect site to plant vines on a terroir of clay and limestone soils with southern WHISKY INVESTMENT OUTSTRIPPING exposure.” He also picked the terroir in the mode of TRADITIONAL ASSET CLASSES 11th century monks, who historically produced their Chardonnay for mass there. “Chardonnay fits perfectly under this powerful With the market for fine label: It is a wine that has rich character, impressive weight, good Scotch single malt whisky texture and a lot of complexity. It is truly an honor to carry on my booming, London’s Spink’s family's pioneering legacy and be the first to unveil this varietal Auction House logged a from Bordeaux,” he said. record sale price of HK$1.952 million for a single cask of The DIAGEO RECOGNIZED BY TWO CONNECTICUT Macallan 1991, eclipsing by CHAPTERS OF THE NAACP more than 100% the previous record, also set at a Spink Diageo received the award auction earlier this year, for a single 25-year-old Macallan cask. for Corporate Citizenship With such spectacular returns on investment being witnessed, from the Norwalk NAACP the rare whisky market — previously the domain of a handful (National Association for the of connoisseurs — is now being joined by a host of new players Advancement of Colored People) chapter, in recognition for the hoping to benefit from this lucrative investment. Due to fine company's continued commitment to the community. Additionally, whiskies taking decades to age, a continuing rise in prices can the Stamford NAACP chapter has awarded Diageo’s Director be expected in private whisky investments.