Lewes prison in East Sussex has cut fruit from it’s rations due to the amount of illegal hooch that was being fermented from it. The Howard Group is charity that backs penal reform and has said the decision to cut fruit from the prisoners rations was a backward step!
Author Archives: producer366
The Hammersmith based London distiller Sipsmith has installed a second still. Named Patience has been installed alongside the original still, Prudence. Both are 300 litre stills made by Christian Carl.
Sipsmith’s co-founder, Fairfax Hall, said “In recent months we have been challenged with increasing production and battled to meet the demand for our handcrafted spirits.” “We can now produce more small handcrafted batches . We just need more hands !”
South African stats from SAWIS show 2013 being , probably, the biggest harvest ever !! It is expected to give about 1,491 000 tons of grapes exceeding by 5.4 % the 2012 crop. And larger than the biggest previous crop, 2008, by 4,0%
However, much of the volume comes from the lesser quality areas of the Orange River and Oliphants River.
In the quality Coastal areas the growing season was late and ripening periods were cool giving longer time on the vines. In general quality in the Coastal area is reported to be good. Harvest weather was ideal. The Young Wine Show in at the end of July should shoe exactly what has transpired quality wise.
Most of Argentine has reported outstanding quality out of 2013 vintage. A mild spring and a cool summer has helped to produce more elegant wines. Great balance seems to be the word everywhere and with wonderful natural acidity and less alcohol. However, no matter how good the harvest was the political position is almost unworkable. The government’s policies on import restrictions, rocketing inflation, alleged unpaid debt to the USA and uncompetitive local currency is foreboding a potentially fatal noose around the wine industry’s neck according to the trade.
Across the Andes the political situation is less complicated but the climate presented it’s own challenges with irregular weather making the harvest a logistic nightmare. In general the weather was cooler than usual leading to delayed harvest but much longer ripening time on the vine which should be good. Central regions had a very cols spring which caused a lot of mildew problems in poorly managed vineyards. Some outstanding wines are expected but probably a much reduced quantity.
John McDonnell who guided Patron into a pioneering role within Premium Tequila has left the company after eight years to pursue “entrepreneurial’ Opportunities. During his first four years with the brand he grew sales by over 500 %. Only earlier this year he was promoted to the new position of President. He was also responsible for Pyrat Rum and Ultimat vodka. Earlier in May the company launched its first extra anejo Tequila, Grand Patron Piedra into the travel retail sector with a price tag of almost $400 !
His successor will be Dave Wilson whom will take office on 10th June 2013.06.02