Jim Beam Wines & Other Notes

Consumers certainly aren't used to thinking "Jim Beam" when they think about wine. That, however is going to change.

Jim Beam Brands Worldwide (JBB) has named Bill Newlands head of its U.S. wine business which will be greatly expanded following the completion of the acquisition of Allied Domecq’s U.S. wine operations from Pernod Ricard. Ricard is taking over all aspects of Allied Domecq, which will go out of existence.

The move is a natural, since Newlands currently runs Allied Domecq USA Wines, which will bring such brands as Clos du Bois, Buena Vista, William Hill and Gary Farrell to the JBB fold. JBB already has a wine division, Peak Wines International, which has the Geyser Peak, Canyon Road and Wild Horse brands.

Horse Heaven Appellation -- The State of Washington has created its seventh vinicultural area, commonly known as an appellation. It's on the north slope of the Columbia River, locally known as Horse Heaven Hills. Washington is the nation's second-largest producer of wine, after California. It has more than 300 wineries, 300 wine grape growers and 30,000 vineyard acres. The Horse Heaven Hills is located above the only sea-level passage through the Cascade Mountains.

Too Much of a Good Thing -- A bumper crop usually is cause for celebration in the agricultural world. Not in France. Its wine industry has had trouble marketing all of last year's wine. Now, grape growers are predicting a bumper crop that will put more pressure on winemakers to sell their products.

On the Bookshelf -- Wine Adventure, billed as the first wine magazine targeting women, now is on store shelves. It features articles on wine destinations, food and wine pairings, lifestyle, wine and cooking schools, and wine paraphrnelia. Michele Ostrove is the editor of the bi-monthly publication.


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