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INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT Lion Nathan USA Changes Name to Distinguished Vineyards F Steve Myers. our years after establishing its presence in the U.S. market, Lion Nathan USA is reinforcing its commitment to fi ne wine with a name change to Distinguished Vineyards & Wine Partners. Over the past four years, sales of its wines in the U.S. have more than doubled, with most growth coming from wines priced at $20 and above. "The evolution of our name best refl ects the many fac- ets to our fi ne wine business including farming, wine- making and sales," says Steve Myers, Managing Director of North America. Representing a global portfolio of wineries distributed by leading fi ne wine wholesalers in all 50 states and into Canada, the company has been thriving. Sales of its core brands have increased by over 19% in 2011 according to AC Nielsen retail sales data, nearly ten times the wine industry growth rate for the same period. IN MEMORY S an Francisco-based wine writer Steve Pitcher, nationally recognized for his signifi cant, in-depth, well-researched articles on a broad range of domestic and foreign wine topics, passed away in San Francisco on February 8 after an arduous four-year battle with throat cancer. Steve debuted in the media in the late 1980s as a columnist in the Food & Wine section of The San Francisco Chronicle. His popular byline articles returned to The Chronicle's wine coverage in 2003 and continued appearing on a frequent basis until late 2009, when he was sidelined by medical problems. Steve Pitcher. 12 / the tasting panel / april 2012 Introducing SWS of Minnesota W ayne E. Chaplin, President & Chief Operating Offi cer of Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc., and Jack Goldenberg, Owner of Quality Wine & Spirits Co., have jointly announced the signing of a letter of intent for Southern to acquire certain assets of Quality. Quality, the 76-year-old wine and spirits wholesaling icon of Minnesota, upon completion of the transaction, will be acquired by Southern through its Minnesota joint venture, Southern Wine & Spirits of Minnesota. Commenting on the transaction for Quality, Goldenberg said, "Quality has a state-wide reputation with both sup- pliers and customers that is without peer. This transaction is in recognition of changing times as well as our desire to ensure the continuance of our brand stewardship." Chaplin added, "Jack and his team have not only had a longstanding reputation in Minnesota; their reputation is known across the country for superior brand building and for outstanding service to customers and suppliers alike. Benefi ciaries of this transaction will not only be the local Minnesota trade, but also the numerous suppliers that Quality and Southern share—not only within this great state but across the United States as well." Alliances in the South G lazer's Distributors and The Charmer Sunbelt Group announced their plans to form their newest joint ventures. Alliance Beverage of Alabama and Alliance Beverage of Mississippi will combine the companies' existing brokerage operations in the two control states. The transaction is expected to close early this month, subject to customary closing conditions. General Wholesale Company, currently partners with Charmer Sunbelt in the states, will continue their interest in the ventures. Current Glazer's Regional President Scott Rawlings will oversee the two states. Steve Young, Vice President of Georgia-based General Wholesale, will work with Rawlings. CORRECTION I n last month's issue we ran an incor- rect photo of Laura DePasquale. DePasquale is the new Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of The Court of Master Sommeliers. DePasquale is the VP/GM for The Stacole Fine Wine Division of The Country Vintner. The Court is honored to have DePasquale as the fi rst woman to hold the Vice Chair position. Laura DePasquale.