Italian farmers report significant declines in harvests due to bad weather, and the U.S. issues warnings to bartenders that unlined copper mugs could poison consumers. Santa Margerita acquires Cantina Mesa, and Distill Ventures discusses Diageo’s interest in acquiring non-alcoholic drinks. This is the news we’re thinking about here at SevenFifty Daily.

August 8, 2017
1. The Drinks Business

Italian farmers warn overall harvests have declined

Italian farmers reported that yields could be around 10-15% lower, than 2016 overall, with regions like Franciacorta falling as much as 30%. They attribute the decline to late spring frosts and droughts, such as those in Chianti and other denominations in Tuscany, that caused volumes to fall by around 20-30%.

2. The Drinks Business

Iowa issues warning over copper cocktail mugs

Iowa’s state Alcoholic Beverages Division issued an advisory bulletin to bartenders highlighting the danger of using unlined copper mugs. The bulletin cautions them that copper and copper alloys can be poisonous if mixed with acidic liquids, including vinegar, fruit juice, wine, and lime juice.

3. Vine Pair

Are bigger spirits businesses shifting towards non-alcoholic drinks?

Drinks investor Distill Ventures says that big alcohol companies are investing in non-alcoholic drinks because of the alleged Americans’ shift towards healthier lifestyles, citing that spirits company Diageo purchases minority stakes in non-alcoholic drinks companies with the intent to acquire them if they are successful.

4. The Drinks Business

Santa Margherita acquires Cantina Mesa

Santa Margherita acquires Cantina Mesa. Cantina Mesa consists of roughly 70 hectares of vineyards located in the Sulcis-Iglesiente region of southwestern Sardinia, and produces roughly 750,000 bottles annually.