Market Watch November 2016

Thirty-five years ago, Bill Deutsch embarked on a bold journey, not knowing exactly where it would take him. Launching a new business is never a small feat—particularly in this industry, which has been consolidating relentlessly for the past three decades. But today Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits is a 10 million–case company and stands tall as one of the top independent players in the business. Faced with the challenges of consolidation, new product trends and generational shifts in consumption patterns, Deutsch has always kept pace. Our cover feature tells the story of how the company evolved to where it is today—and where it’s going from here. Speaking of independent players and industry consolidation, check out our feature story on Artisanal Brewing Ventures (ABV), the recently formed craft beer alliance between…

Moët Hennessy To Market High-End Tequila....Moët Hennessy has entered into a joint venture with Mexico’s Gallardo family to market the high-end Tequila brand Volcan de Mi Tierra. Moët Hennessy CEO Christophe Navarre called Volcan de Mi Tierra “an ideal and complementary fit to our portfolio.” The brand will roll out in the first quarter of 2017 in the United States and Mexico, with global expansion expected to follow in 2018. Volcan de Mi Tierra is available in two expressions: Blanco ($40 a 750-ml. bottle) and Cristalino ($50 to $60), which is an Añejo Tequila with the color extracted. The Tequila is produced at the Volcan distillery—located at the soil-rich base of the long-dormant Volcan de Tequila volcano in Jalisco—and will be completely revamped as part of the joint venture deal.…

But First, Champagne David White, founder of the wine blog Terroirist.com, has written a book championing Champagne. Released in October by Skyhorse Publishing, “But First, Champagne: A Modern Guide to the World’s Favorite Wine” ($29.99) traces the French sparkling wine’s history, marketing and production, from its earliest roots through the present day. The 300-page hardcover comprises two parts: The first includes such chapters as “Bubbles Sweep the World,” “Joy, Wine and War,” and “The Grower Revolution,” while the second half highlights houses in Champagne’s four major regions—Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne, Côte des Blancs and the Aube—along with the Grande Marques like Krug, Dom Pérignon and Veuve Clicquot. For more information, visit Skyhorsepublishing.com. The Elyx Boutique Pernod Ricard’s luxury vodka brand Absolut Elyx debuted an online holiday shop…

Veteran Bar Team Opens Cocktail Haven In Chicago The drinks gurus behind Chicago’s new Spilt Milk Tavern have created a space where history shines, hospitality is paramount and cocktails take center stage. The corner bar, which opened in September in the Windy City’s Logan Square neighborhood, showcases an accessible drinks menu, listing updated classics like a sarsaparillaenhanced Sazerac and a Mint Julep made with grape juice (cocktails are $8 to $12). Specialties include the Daily Dose, blending Hank’s Recording Empire vodka, Fonseca Siroco White Port, clarified milk and pink lemonade, and the Frozen Coffee, an icy drink mixed with Tullamore DEW Irish whiskey, Galliano Ristretto coffee liqueur and Metric Coffee Co.’s Hellion cold brew coffee. Spilt Milk Tavern also offers a lengthy beer list that spans popular labels, domestic…

Andale Management Group debuted the mezcal-centric bar Mezcalito in September in San Francisco’s Russian Hill neighborhood. The venue features handcrafted cocktails that incorporate the spirit and a wide variety of labels for sipping neat, as well as beer, wine and Oaxacan-inspired small plates. ?? Located in the basement of the historic Maynard Building in Seattle’s Pioneer Square, The Sovereign opened in September with a lengthy drinks list and global snack menu. The venue boasts boutique wines, Pacific Northwest beers, creative cocktails, and cuisine with roots that span the Americas, France, Africa and the Caribbean. ?? A modern take on the New York City society club, Squares opened in September in Manhattan’s NoMad District. The late-night spot offers classic cocktails and large-format drinks, alongside upscale Champagne and spirits bottle service and…

North Meets South At Kentucky Hotel Lobby Venue The Hotel Covington opened in a historic space in Covington, Kentucky, in September with Coppin’s Restaurant & Bar in its lobby. The venue is named for Coppin’s Department Store, which inhabited the space in the early 1900s, and features locally minded food and drinks. The eatery serves classic American fare in a casual and contemporary setting, emphasizing Southern staples prepared with a Northern slant. Chef Brendan Haren leads the kitchen and is dedicated to showcasing ingredients from farms in Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana. The menu lists starters like crawfish corn chowder and crispy pork belly and such entrées as pork tenderloin with hominy succotash and roasted chicken with tarragon gnocchi (appetizers are $4 to $12; entrées are $13 to $28). Coppin’s…