Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1399
10 / the tasting panel / july 2009 D iageo has increased its investment of Stir- rings, LLC, a premium cocktail mixer port- folio, to 100 percent. In 2007, Diageo made a 20 percent minority investment in Stirrings. "This is a great opportunity to further grow the Stirrings brand and create more synergies with Diageo's array of leading spirits brands," said Larry Schwartz, President of Diageo USA. "Stir- rings fi ts squarely within our at-home strategy." The Stirrings portfolio consists of over 50 prod- ucts, such as premium mixers, Rimmer brand cocktail garnishes and classic bar ingredients. Industry Spotlight Paul Wagner Receives FENAVIN Award Drink a Bite M argo's Bark is a new micro-brewed root beer soda that donates all profi ts to homeless shelter and rescue dogs. We love the rich taste and low (real cane) sugar count, and we taste-tested it on the junior members of THE TASTING PANEL. They asked for seconds. Margo herself tells her story on their fantastic website at www.MargosBark.com. Diageo Acquires Stirrings I International Beverage (InterBev), has assigned its Speyburn and Old Pulteney brands to International Beverage USA (InterBev USA), its New York City subsidiary, effective August 1. (Inter- Bev USA imports and markets Chang beer and Mekhong, The Spirit of Thailand.) John Lennon, President of InterBev USA, said he is delighted to have Inver House Distillers single malts in the company's portfo- lio and has already begun working on a seamless transition with Constellation Wines U.S., which currently imports the brands. "We are excited and honored to be stewards of the multi-award winning Inver House Distillers portfolio and to be working with the International Distiller of the Year," said Lennon. InterBev USA to Market Inver House Distillers Beam Acquires EFFEN Vodka B eam Global Spirits & Wine has acquired the EFFEN vodka brand from the Sazerac Company. Super-premium EFFEN, named after the Dutch word for smooth, is produced in Holland using a patented distillation process. "EFFEN is an excellent fi t with our portfolio, and we're excited to put our sales and distribution muscle behind it to accelerate the brand's growth," says Matt Shattock, President and CEO of Beam Global Spirits & Wine. "EFFEN has built a strong following in select markets, and we be- lieve our sales and marketing organizations can help expand distribution and build excite- ment for EFFEN in many more markets in the U.S. and around the world." With annual net sales of ap- proximately $10 million, Effen's distribution is currently con- centrated in Chicago, Southern California and Florida. P aul Wagner, President of Balzac Communications & Marketing and wine marketing instructor at Napa Valley College, has received an award from the Feria Nacional del Vino (FENAVIN—the largest national wine trade fair in Spain) for "A Life Dedicated to Wine" (Una Vida Dedicada al Vino). This prestigious award is given in recognition to those persons who have dedi- cated a majority of their lives to wine. The 2009 winners of the award included seven professionals from the world of wine on the inter- national scene, as well as seven from Spain itself. Paul Wagner fi rst started working with the Wines of Spain in 1990 and has since worked with the trade groups of most of Spain's major wine- producing regions, including Rueda, Castilla La Mancha, the Kingdom of Navarra, Murcia (Jumilla, Yecla and Bullas), the Camara de Comercio de Alava and Agencia de Desarrollo Económico de La Rioja (ADER). Paul Wagner