Introduction Coopers have long recognized the importance of forest origin in shaping the sensory qualities of wine, yet relatively little research has been conducted to understand the underlying factors driving these effects. With access to oak sourced directly from several prestigious and historically significant French forests through our company-owned stave mill in northeastern France, we saw a unique opportunity to investigate how forest terroir contributes to wine expression. This study was conducted for our TW Boswell brand of French oak barrels and aimed to evaluate whether specific forest origins impart distinct chemical and sensory characteristics to wine. We selected three single-origin forests – Allier, Tronçais, and Nièvre and a blend composed of Bertranges, Bercé, and Russy – to compare the influence of each on wine aged in barrels crafted with TW Boswell’s proprietary toasting profiles. Our goal was to better understand the role of f

With a challenging harvest, ongoing industry headwinds, and the recent resolution of the US election, the world is still adjusting to what has become a continuously evolving “new normal” since COVID-19. The supply chain now braces for potential uncertainties surrounding a new administration.  Concerns about rising fuel expenses are becoming more pronounced, with diesel prices experiencing a modest increase of approximately three cents on average across the US, as reported by the EIA. This uptick is causing anxiety among businesses that rely heavily on transportation to maintain their supply chains. On a more positive note, there is significant relief in international shipping. The cost of ocean freight from Asia to the US has seen a remarkable decline, with container shipping fees plummeting by $1,000 to $2,000. The International Longshoremen’s Association recently conducted a brief but impactful three-day strike at ports along the East and Gulf Coasts. This wor

Are you better than the best? Can your spirit stack up to the 2023 Sunset International Spirits Competition champions? If you're ready to grab gold in your category, enter today! Best of the Best Pendray's Distillery Brandy XO Best Liqueur Brucato Amaro  Chapparal Best Vodka Royal Mash Royal Mash Vintage 2020 Best Vodka Flavored/Infused Jewell Distillery, Inc. Jewell Citron Vodka Best Other Agave Spirits Venus Spirits El Ladrón Yolo - CA Roasted Agave Best Tequila Cierto Tequila Private Collection, Extra Añejo Best Whiskey Savage & Cooke Savage & Cooke Bourbon Whiskey Best Gin Hinterhaus Distilling South Grove Gin Best Mezcal Cutwater Spirits Cutwater Mezcal Reposado Best Ready to Drink Cutwater Spirits Cutwater Spicy Bloody Mary Best Hard Seltzer High Noon High Noon Grapefruit Think your spirit can take top spot in 2024? Enter Today!

St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery Welcomes Brenae Royal, Director of Vineyard Operations

Sustainable Napa Valley Winery Appoints Vineyard Operations Leader    April 29th – Rutherford, California – St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery is pleased to announce the appointment of Brenae Royal, […]

Cheers to Empowering Your Customers and Boosting Satisfaction! Here's the scoop: by ramping up your DTC game, you can make your customers feel like the wine royalty they truly are. Here's how: Customized Wine Clubs: Let your customers call the shots! Give them the power to pick and choose their wines, set their shipment frequency, and unlock exclusive perks. Personalized Marketing: Say goodbye to generic messages! Use your customer data to send tailor-made offers, recommendations, and invites. It's like magic, but with wine! Targeted Allocations: Roll out the red carpet for your VIPs! Treat your top customers to special releases and limited-edition bottles based on their preferences. Best Customer Online Portal: Say hello to the ultimate wine hub! Build a user-friendly online portal where customers can manage their memberships, track orders, and dive into wine education. So, what do you say? Let's raise a glass to empowering your customers and takin

Afternoon Brief, March 26th

President of Treasury Americas, Ben Dollard to Keynote 2024 Wine Sales Symposium: Wine Industry Network (WIN) has announced Ben Dollard, President of Treasury Americas, as the distinguished keynote speaker for the upcoming Wine Sales Symposium...