Bevcast Weekly News is brought to you by the Annual London Wine Competition, where wines are judged by Quality, Value, and Package. Submission is now open for the 2019 London Wine Competition. Please visit LondonWineCompetition.com for more information on how winning a London Wine Competition medal can help you grow your wine brand.

To gear up for your week ahead and these are our top stories of the week.

Competition for Brand Trademarks in UK Spirits Market Starting to Heat Up

UK companies are registering trademarks for a new spirit and liqueur brands at a record pace. Much of that activity involves new artisanal gins, especially newly flavored gins. But all that activity could come with the risk of trademark infringements and the rise of copycat brands that confuse customers.

China’s Top Baijiu Brands Now the Most Valuable in the World

Chinese brands are beginning to replace popular Western brands as the most valuable in the world. According to the 2018 World’s Top 50 Spirits Ranking from London-based consultancy Brand Finance, three Chinese baijiu brands – Moutai, Wuliangye, and Yanghe – claimed the top 3 spots in the rankings.

Young Millennials in the US and UK Shifting From Beer and Wine to Spirits

A new survey of young millennial drinking habits could be a wake-up call for leading beer and wine brands. According to the 2017-2018 BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research Survey, young millennials are shifting their alcohol consumption habits away from beer and wine to spirits.

New Craft Distilled Soju Celebrates New York City’s Koreatown

Premium soju is coming to New York City in the form of West 32 Reserve soju, which celebrates New York City’s Koreatown neighborhood. The craft distilled spirit includes an image of the iconic midtown Manhattan skyline (including the Empire State Building) on its label.

Constellation Brands Will Invest $100 Million in Female-Founded Drinks Firms

Global drinks conglomerate Constellation Brands is now setting aside $100 million to fund female-founded drinks firms over the next 10 years. The new strategic initiative recognizes that women now represent an increasingly important demographic group for the alcohol beverage industry.

Vegan Wines, the New Christmas Holiday Tradition?

In the UK, vegan wines could become a new Christmas holiday tradition. According to the latest statistics from research firm IGD, nearly 10% of UK families will be opting for a vegetarian or vegan meal alternative on Christmas and will be looking to complement that meal with a vegan wine.

China Launches a New Wine Rating System

China is replacing the traditional 100-point wine score with a 10-point rating system. China’s top regulatory and trade body for alcoholic beverages, the China Alcoholic Drinks Association (CADA), announced a new wine rating system for wines that will be much more focused around Chinese tastes, preferences and culinary traditions.

Four More US States Might Legalize Recreational Marijuana Next Year

The political and social momentum around the legalization of marijuana continues to grow in the U.S. Including Michigan this year, ten states have now officially approved recreational marijuana. In 2019, four states – New Jersey, New York, Illinois and New Mexico – could be next to legalize recreational marijuana.

Europe Now Leads the World in New Craft Beer Launches

Europe now accounts for more than one-half of all new craft beer launches, according to Mintel Food & Drink. Over the past 12 months, Europe accounted for 54% of craft beer launches, up from 29% just four years ago. North America’s share of new craft beer launches was only 19%.

Busy Calendar For New Spirit Launches This Winter

The past few months have been busy ones for craft distillers, as they bring new artisanal products to market just in time for the holiday season. The new product launches include Canadian Club 41-Year-Old Whiskey, maple flavored whiskies, rye whiskies, extra aged tequilas, and organic aquavit.

Chinese Demand For South African Wine on the Upswing

South Africa is making a bid to become a major player in China’s wine industry. For now, the leader is Perfect Wines of South Africa, which accounts for 25% of all South African wine sold in China. The company is gaining a foothold via wine e-commerce sales and promotional events.

Asia-Pacific Spirits Market To Top $100 billion by 2022

The Asia-Pacific spirits sector is growing at a 5.4% compound annual growth rate, putting it on pace to become a $100 billion market opportunity by 2022. The keys to growth are premium spirits as well as small-batch spirits that address health and wellness concerns by emphasizing botanicals and herbs.

Hybrid Alcoholic Drinks and Low-Alcohol Cocktails Among Top Trends of 2018

While high-grade premium spirits continue to lead the way in the global spirits industry, a few new trends made headlines in 2018. Hybrid alcoholic drinks (such as vodquila, a mix of vodka and tequila), low and no-alcohol cocktails, dessert-inspired spirits, and coconut rums were at the top of the list.

French Wines Leading the Way in Global Boxed Wine Market

France is not only a leader in the bottled wine market, but it is also the clear No. 1 in the global boxed wine market, which is now valued at £588.9 million. At £99.5 million, France accounts for one-sixth of total sales. Other top nations include South Africa, Australia, and Germany.

New Spirit Brand Uses Plants to Replicate Effect of Alcohol

Three Spirit is a new plant-based zero-alcohol drink that is able to replicate the effects of alcohol by interacting with the body’s nervous system. The innovative new drink, which uses 11 plant-based ingredients (including yerba mate and cacao) has a taste that is bittersweet, earthy and spicy.

Breweries On the Rise in Largest U.S. Cities

Breweries located in small-town America are now being challenged by breweries in America’s largest cities. According to the Brewers Association, cities with more than 5 million people saw a nearly 183% spike in new brewery openings over the past five years, which was the highest rate in the nation.

Hundreds of Breweries to Help Raise Money For California Wildfire Survivors

Prominent California-based brewer Sierra Nevada has signed up more than 400 breweries nationwide to brew a special Resilience IPA that will raise money for California wildfire relief. All proceeds from the sale of Resilience IPA in stores and restaurants will be used to aid people impacted by the Camp Fire.

The USA Gets 6 New Master Sommeliers

The Court of Master Sommeliers recently welcomed six new Master Sommeliers in North America. 30 individuals from 14 states sat for the tasting portion of the Master Sommelier Diploma Examination, but only six made the cut. Master Sommelier is the highest distinction one can attain within the wine industry.

New Zealand To Develop a new Kiwi Hop Flavor

In an effort to help its more than 200 craft brewers boost their export sales, the New Zealand government is promoting the development of a super-premium “Kiwi” hop flavor. Over the next 7 years, New Zealand will spend over $5 million to develop the craft beer industry’s equivalent of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

American Wine Consumers Favored Semi-Sweet, Smooth and Fruit-Forward Wines in 2018

Sonoma State University’s Wine Business Institute unveiled its latest snapshot profile of the typical American wine consumer. In 2018, 50% of all U.S. wine drinkers drank wine several times a week. Dry and tannic wines fell out of favor, replaced by wines that are semi-sweet, smooth, and fruit-forward.

Smirnoff Marketing Promotion a Big Hit with Holiday Travelers

During the busy holiday travel season, Smirnoff ran a “Smirnoff Seltzer Upgrade” promotion, encouraging holiday travelers to tell them why they should get a free upgrade from their “not so jolly” airline middle seat. Smirnoff Seltzer spent nearly $50,000 on upgrading travel tickets for contest winners.

Thank you again for listening to Bevcast. Once again, a quick reminder to enter your wines in the 2019 London Wine Competition, the international wine competition that is organized by Beverage Trade Network every year in London that rates wines by Quality, Value, and Package.

That’s it for now.