The Tasting Panel magazine

October 2015

Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/581407

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 14 of 140

14  /  the tasting panel  /  october 2015 INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT New Kind of Solar in Roussillon W ines of Roussillon has announced the world's first vineyard to harness solar panel mechanics to influence the microclimate surround- ing its grapes, ensuring their finest development. Unlike any other sun-powered vineyards, which solely use solar panels to generate renewable energy for the wineries' use, Roussillon's Domaine de Nidolères is adopting a solar panel system developed to mimic the most favorable climactic conditions to control yields and achieve the perfect level of ripeness for grapes. These solar panels will be used as intelligent, individually controlled regulators of the microclimatic parameters of the plant. Placed right above the vines, the panels will not only create solar power, but also act as sun shields for the vines to deflect rays away from the grapes, preventing scorching, over ripeness and uneven maturation of the grapes when the sun is too strong. Regardless of the strength of the sun, the panels also act as wind deflectors to provide a stable microclimate for the grapes' growth and as a rain shield to prevent the development of diseases. —David Gadd It's Electrik A BSOLUT announced its new- est limited edition bottle, ABSOLUT Electrik, available in striking silver and electric blue. The new bottles feature ABSOLUT Original Vodka and will be available through the holiday season to help partygo- ers and throwers turn their nights "Electrik." In simple, sleek metallic, the bottles serve as a muse for raising the energy of nights out and in—starting with next month's ABSOLUT Electrik House. Strategic Partnership H eineken announced the acquisi- tion of a 50% shareholding in the Lagunitas Brewing Company, the fifth-largest craft brewer in the United States by volume. Lagunitas owns a sta- ble of award-winning brands, including Lagunitas IPA. Founded in California in 1993, Lagunitas is estimated to sell circa one million hectolitres of beer in 2015 from its two breweries in Petaluma, California and Chicago, Illinois. A third brewery is currently under construc- tion in Azusa, California. H enriot, Inc. has announced that Andy Glaser will join the firm as President and CEO of Maisons & Domaines Henriot's U.S. subsidiary effective immediately. Glaser is a U.K.-born beverage executive with extensive leadership experience in the U.S. alcohol beverage industry. Most recently, he was the Group President and CEO of Purity Vodka AB, rapidly growing the company to become a multi-million dollar business in less than three years. APPOINTMENTS PHOTO COURTESY OF DOMAINE DE NIDOLÈRES

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of The Tasting Panel magazine - October 2015