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On The ShelfProducts & Packaging
*Todhunter Imports has debuted a line extension to its Porfidio tequila, called Porfidio Reposado. The brand comes in a royal blue stoneware bottle with a porcelain finish and 18K gold lettering. Suggested retail price is $80. *El Conquistador is the latest entry to the superpremium tequila segment. The 100% blue agave tequila is bottled in three varieties: Blanco Each is imported by Heaven Hill Distilleries. *Pete's Brewing Co. is rolling out its spring seasonal beer, Pete's Wicked Springfest. An amber, bock-style brew it will be available through the spring in six- and 12-packs. P-o-s materials to merchandise the seasonal brew are available. * Red Bull Energy Drink is making its debut in the U.S. Made in Austria, the non-alcohol soft drink includes carbohydrates, vitamins and caffeine. It is being marketed by Red Bull North America, based in Pacific Palisades, CA, and promoted by Norm Marshall & Associates.
*Anheuser-Busch is expanding the distribution of its Pacific RidgePale Ale to San Diego, CA. It was previously available only in Northern California, where it has proven popular.
*ThorSpring Icelandic spring water has unveiled
redesigned packaging.
*After success with a new PET package for its Smirnoff
Vodka on the Canadian market, IDV North America has begun distribution in the U.S. The
"Microlite 2000" is a 1.75 ml PET bottle. The shatter-proof container is replica
of Smirnoff's traditional glass bottle with obvious weight advantages.
* New Jack & Bernie's Bloody Mary Mix is 97% tomato juice. The non-alcohol mix, from Hiram Walker & Sons, claims it will "stand up to any vodka." Off-premise merchandising materials are available to help promote the new brand, available in 32- and 64-ounce bottles.
*The Ruffino brand portfolio of Italian wine has welcomed
a new label, Fonte Al Sole. This wine is made of 100% sangiovese grapes from
Tuscany by a traditional method called governo. It makes for a softer more
"user-friendly" red, according to the company. Ruffino wines are marketed in the
U.S. by Schieffelin & Somerset.
*Palace Brands introduced two new additions to the Highland Park family of Scotch whiskies. New Highland Park 18-Year-Old and Highland Park 25-Year-Old single malts were rolled out in the fall in limited quantities.
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*Bacardi-Martini
USA has announced the release of a special limited edition B&B Liqueur. In honor of
the brand's 60th anniversary the company has released a limited quantity of B&B
Liqueur 60th Anniversary Selection. The suggested retail price is $90.
Marketed by Select
Beverages, the brand is currently available in selected Midwest markets, Texas and
Montana. The brand is planning to increase distribution in 1998.
*Ron
Matusalem Gran Reserva is now out in redesigned packaging. New labels, cartons and
shippers for the superpremium Cuban-style rum call attention to its heritage. The
Matusalem family of rums is marketed by Matusalem & Co., of Miami, FL.
* An
Aņejo (aged) variety of Gran Centenario brand tequila is now available, 
courtesy of Carillon Importers. It is aged for
as long as 18 months in white oak barrels. Suitable for mixing or sipping straight, the
newest brand extension is available in beveled 750 ml glass bottles.
*Miller
Genuine Draft has introduced new packaging, using the characters from MGD TV and print
advertising. Each of the 12 images is reproduced on the back side of the MGD label,
visible through the bottle itself. The new labels will be in markets nationwide by
February, and will appear on all glass packages.
* Robert
Mondavi Winery and the Marchese de' Frescobaldi winery of Italy have teamed up to
introduce a new brand of wines called Luce. The joint venture has introduced a line
of super- and ultrapremium Tuscan wines. The first release under the Luce label is a red
table wine.