Category: Release

IronGate.Wine becomes the first online wine retailer to accept cryptocurrency

IronGate.Wine, a leading online retailer of private, rare wine collections, has announced that they have completed testing and will immediately begin accepting Bitcoin (BTC) and Bitcoin Cash (BCH) as payment methods for their online inventory of vintage wine. Utilizing the processing system provided by BitPay, IronGate.Wine will allow buyers from all over the world to shop for vintage wine from the cellars of private collectors using this form of currency.

“We are very excited to be the first online retailer of our kind to accept Bitcoin as a form of payment for the incredible wines that we have available,” said IronGate.Wine President, Warren Porter. “Our research has shown that the adoption of cryptocurrency is on the rise and we want our customers to be able to use whatever payment form they prefer. We view Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash as a currency, not unlike the Dollar or Euro and know that our customers would like the option of spending it on this luxury item.”

Porter continued, “aside from convenience, the fraud-proof nature of crypto compared to credit cards will completely eliminate fraudulent transactions. In addition, accepting crypto payments greatly decreases our processing fees compared to credit cards. IronGate.Wine is consistently one of the lowest-priced providers in the United States of fine and rare wine, but we can be even more competitive by further reducing our processing costs by several percentage points.”

“Bitcoin is a global currency and will allow international buyers to purchase wine cheaper and more quickly than credit cards and bank wires,” said Sonny Singh, Chief Commercial Officer at BitPay. “One of the biggest headaches merchants have today is chargebacks, and for online merchants this headache is compounded with the added risks of identity theft and fraud. BitPay leverages the promise cryptocurrency provides with transactional transparency. It is impossible to use cryptocurrency for fraud as every transaction is verified, recorded and stored on the blockchain. Further, as a push transaction, similar to taking cash out of a wallet, the user sends the exact amount of Bitcoin needed to pay the bill. This eliminates traditional credit card fraud and identity theft risks associated with credit cards. As a result, there are no chargebacks.”

In addition to Bitcoin, IronGate.Wine accepts all major credit cards, ACH and wire transactions, and will soon be expanding to accept AliPay, WeChat Pay and Apple Pay to round out the most comprehensive array of payment options in the industry.

Based in upstate New York and shipping worldwide, IronGate.Wine is an online retailer of vintage wines meticulously sourced from private collectors throughout the United States and Canada. Currently, there are over 2,500  unique wines available for purchase through the website, which will grow to over 4,000 in the next four weeks.

Press Release: Toronto…February 16, 2019– Toronto-based Liz Palmer makes the list of the “Top Wine Influencers In 2019 You Need to Pay Attention To”

Sommeliers Choice Awards and Beverage Trade Network has recently announced their Top Wine Influencers list for 2019. The prestige judging panel includes 45 top U.S. sommeliers, wine buyers and wine directors.

“Here are the top 20 wine influencers that you need to check out in 2019 –These are the new critics. Find the influencer that has got the attention of your customer demographic and you have a chance. That’s our no # 1 marketing tip for wineries to double down on. Here is a list of top wine influencers that have a good loyal following on Instagram & Twitter.” – Sommeliers Choice Awards and Beverage Trade Network

“I am so honoured and thankful to be part of this community and be included on this list with other notable wine personalities!” – Liz Palmer

“This recognition makes me work harder to assist my clients and get them recognized globally.….I am also happy and proud of the work that UPSocial Wine and Spirits Agency is doing – assisting international wine and spirit brands in their communications, digital marketing strategies, and influencer marketing, while sustaining and increasing awareness” Liz Palmer, Founder of UPSocial Wine and Spirits Agency.

Other global wine influencers on the list include: The Wine Wankers, Jancis Robinson, Julien Miquel, Jon Thorsen, Jessica Altieri, Kelly Mitchell, Jeff Kralik, Tim Atkin, Julie Brosterman, Jamie Goode, Luiz Alberto, Joey Casco, Alder Yarrow, Cathrine Todd, Michelle Williams, Marilena Barbera, Meg Maker, Dusan Jelic, and Katherine Cole.

About Liz Palmer
Liz Palmer is a Toronto / London UK based award-winning author, wine journalist, influencer, wine judge and founder of Upsocial Wine & Spirits Agency (a digital and influencer marketing agency).

She has been recently named as one of 2019’s “Top 20” Social Media Power Influencers on wine and spirits. Liz is also ranked Top 1% Industry SSI – LinkedIn and was recently on a George Brown College Wine Symposium panel discussing Global Wine Communications and Trends. 2018 and 2019 she has partnered with the French Consul Toronto for wine and spirit events and marketing. Since 2017 she has a partnership with Cision/CNW Group.

Liz Palmer is also the founding President of Les Dames Escoffier Ontario Chapter, and was also appointed Dame Chevalier de L’Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne in an official ceremony in Paris in 2017.

About UPSocial Wine & Spirits Agency
Is a digital marketing agency based in Toronto, Canada, one of the world’s leading technology innovation hubs. UPSocial Wine & Spirits Agency specializes in digital and influencer marketing for global wine and spirits brands. Their focus is on creating social media brand strategies, digital content marketing, and influencer relations, fueled by metrics and analytics to drive business results. They are completely dedicated to following innovative changes in the digital marketing world and take a proactive approach to furthering our clients’ campaigns. Liz Palmer is the founder and part of the strategy team.

About Sommeliers Choice Awards
The Sommeliers Choice Awards was officially launched in 2018 by Beverage Trade Network. The judging panel of the Sommeliers Choice Awards includes top U.S. sommeliers, on-premise wine buyers and wine directors. www.sommelierschoiceawards.com

About Beverage Trade Network
Beverage Trade Network hosts and organizes competitions, events, trade show, expos and tastings for the alcohol beverage trade around the world. Popular competitions include the London Wine Competition, the USA Trade Tasting in New York City, and the International Bulk Wine & Spirits Show in San Francisco. www.BeverageTradeNetwork.com.

For more information, please contact:

Robert Roland, Communications Director
Mobile: 647-281-3633
Email: rob@liz-palmer.com
Web: https://www.liz-palmer.com/
Instagram: @lizpalmer_
Twitter: @lizpalmer_wine

Learn more about UPSocial Wine and Spirits Agency at wwww.liz-palmer and LinkedIn UPSocial Wine and Spirits Agency, and follow on Instagram @upsocialwineandspirits

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Liz Palmer, basée à Toronto, figure sur la liste des “Meilleurs Influenceurs du Vin en 2019 auxquels vous devez prêter attention”.

TORONTO, le 18 fév. 2019 /CNW/ – – Sommeliers Choice Awards et Beverage Trade Network ont récemment annoncé leur liste des meilleurs influenceurs du vin pour 2019. Le jury de prestige comprend 45 sommeliers, acheteurs de vin et directeurs de vin américains de premier plan.

“Voici le top 20 des influenceurs du vin que vous devez consulter en 2019 — Voici les nouvelles détracteurs. Trouvez l’influenceur qui a attiré l’attention de votre clientèle démographique et vous avez une chance. C’est notre conseil marketing n°1 pour doubler la mise sur le marché de nos vignobles. Voici une liste des meilleurs influenceurs du vin ayant une bonne audience sur Instagram & Twitter.” – Sommeliers Choice Awards et Beverage Trade Network

“Je suis très honoré et reconnaissant de faire partie de cette communauté et d’être inclus sur cette liste avec d’autres personnalités du vin !” – Liz Palmer

” Cette distinction me pousse à travailler plus dur afin d’aider mes clients et de leur apporter une reconnaissance mondiale… Je suis également ravie et satisfaite du travail accompli par UPSocial Wine and Spirits Agency, qui soutient les marques internationales de vins et spiritueux en matière de communication, de marketing numérique et de stratégie marketing, et qui contribue à l’impact de leurs efforts de promotion et à leur notoriété ” Liz Palmer, Fondateur de la UPSocial Wine and Spirits Agency.

D’autres influenceurs mondiaux du vin figurent sur la liste : The Wine Wankers, Jancis Robinson, Julien Miquel, Jon Thorsen, Jessica Altieri, Kelly Mitchell, Jeff Kralik, Tim Atkin, Julie Brosterman, Jamie Goode, Luiz Alberto, Joey Casco, Alder Yarrow, Cathrine Todd, Michelle Williams, Marilena Barbera, Meg Maker, Dusan Jelic et Katherine Cole.

À propos de Liz Palmer
Liz Palmer est une rédactrice primée, journaliste spécialisée dans le vin, juge du vin, influenceuse et fondatrice d’Upsocial Wine & Spirits Agency (une agence de marketing numérique et influenceuse), basée à Toronto et à Londres au Royaume-Uni.

Elle a récemment été désignée parmi le ” Top 20 ” des influenceurs de pouvoir des médias sociaux sur les vins et spiritueux en 2019. Liz est également classée dans le Top 1% de l’ISS de l’industrie – LinkedIn et a récemment fait partie d’un panel du George Brown College Wine Symposium qui portait sur les communications et tendances mondiales du vin. En 2018 et 2019, elle s’est associée au Consul de France à Toronto pour des événements de vins et spiritueux et du marketing. Depuis 2017, elle travaille en partenariat avec le groupe Cision/CNW.

Liz Palmer est également la présidente fondatrice de la section ontarienne de Les Dames Escoffier et a également été nommée Dame Chevalier de l’Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne lors d’une cérémonie officielle à Paris en 2017.

A propos d’UPSocial Wine & Spirits Agency
C’est une agence de marketing numérique basée à Toronto, au Canada, l’un des principaux centres d’innovation technologique au monde. UPSocial Wine & Spirits Agency est spécialisée dans le marketing digital et influenceur pour les marques mondiales de vins et spiritueux. Ils se concentrent sur la création de stratégies de marque de médias sociaux, le marketing de contenu numérique et les relations avec les influenceurs, en s’appuyant sur des mesures et des analyses dans le but de générer des résultats commerciaux. Ils sont totalement dédiés à suivre les changements innovants dans le monde du marketing numérique et adoptent une approche proactive pour faire progresser les campagnes de nos clients. Liz Palmer est la fondatrice et membre de l’équipe de stratégie.

À propos des Sommeliers Choice Awards
Le Sommeliers Choice Awards a été officiellement lancé en 2018 par Beverage Trade Network. Le jury des Sommeliers Choice Awards comprend les meilleurs sommeliers américains, des acheteurs de vin sur place et des directeurs de vin. www.sommelierschoiceawards.com

À propos de Beverage Trade Network
Beverage Trade Network accueille et organise des concours, des événements, des foires commerciales, des expositions et des dégustations pour le commerce des boissons alcoolisées dans le monde entier. Parmi les concours les plus populaires, citons le London Wine Competition, le USA Trade Tasting à New York et l’International Bulk Wine & Spirits Show à San Francisco. www.BeverageTradeNetwork.com.

Pour en savoir plus sur UPSocial Wine and Spirits Agency, rendez-vous sur wwww.liz-palmer et LinkedIn UPSocial Wine and Spirits Agency, et suivez sur Instagram @upsocialwine andpirits

Pour plus d’informations : Robert Roland, directeur des communications, mobile : 647-281-3633, courriel : rob@liz-palmer.com, Web : https://www.liz-palmer.com/, Instagram : @lizpalmer_,Twitter : @lizpalmer_wine

The 5th International Rose Symposium – Marseille, France January 22, 2019

I’m very excited to be invited to the 5th International Rosé Symposium / Rencontres Internationales du Rosé.

The Symposium is hosted by the Provence Wine Council (CIVP), and the Rosé Research and Experimentation Centre, which takes place in the magnificent setting of the Mucem in Marseille on Tuesday, January 22, 2019.

The Symposium, this year, is focusing specifically on research and insights related to rosé wine.

The international speakers are members of the scientific, technical and wine-growing community, and will share their research and studies related to rosé wine.

The 2019 themes will focus on the future of rosé wines, revolving around three major challenges for the industry:

• Adapting to climate change
• Ecological transition
• Changing consumer patterns

The morning will be held as a plenary session, which will include the three major challenges. The lunch cocktail lunch designed by Gérald Passedat.

The afternoon sessions include technical or think-tank workshops, and the presentation of several innovations from fundamental or applied research.

Watch for my followup report.

Website: https://www.rencontres-internationales-rose.com/home.html

News Release: Cision® Partners with (Toronto-based) Top International Wine and Spirts journalist/Judge/Author and Influencer Liz Palmer

TORONTO, SEPTEMBER 13, 2018 / PRNewswire/Toronto-based wine journalist

TORONTO, SEPTEMBER 13, 2018 / PRNewswire/Toronto-based wine journalist/judge/Author and one of the world’s top wine and spirits social media influencers Liz Palmer and Cision, one of the industry’s largest content distribution networks, have partnered to distribute content across each other’s respective networks respective networks. 

Liz Palmer said, “My team and I are very excited about sharing Cision’s real-time content with our audience.  Cision’s PR Newswire is one of the largest content distribution networks and will further expand our reach.” 

About Liz Palmer

Liz Palmer is also a well-respected wine journalist since 2004 and has an international reputation as a critic and judge. Liz has had the pleasure of interviewing and tasting with some of the industry’s leading winemakers, professors, and personalities.

2017 Awards:
Liz Palmer’s first book, “The Ultimate Guide to Champagne” has received the National Award for the best French Wine Book at the Gourmand World Awards 2017. On April 7th, 2017 she was awarded the title of “Dame Chevalier” of the Ordre de Coteaux de Champagne at a ceremony in Paris.

2018 Achievements
Awarded a spot as one of the “Top 40 Global Wine Influencers by Social Vignerons.

Panel Member – George Brown Wine Symposium (Trends in Global Wine Communications).

Ranked Top 1% Industry SSI – Linkedin

2018 Partnerships
Partnership with the Consulat Général de France à Toronto in the French Wine & Spirits Discovery Series [which includes Champagne and Cognac].

Media Partnership with CISION/CNW GROUP Ltd.

Follow Liz Palmer:

Twitter @LizPalmer_Wine and @LizPalmer_ ;

Instagram @lizpalmer_

 

About Cision 

Cision Ltd. (NYSE:  CISN) is a leading global provider of earned media software and services to public relations and marketing communications professionals. Cision’s software allows users to identify key influencers, craft and distribute strategic content, and measure meaningful impact. Cision has over 3,000 employees with offices in 15 countries throughout the Americas, EMEA, and APAC. For more information about its award-winning products and services, including the Cision® Communications Cloud®, visit www.cision.com and follow Cision on Twitter @Cision. 

MEDIA CONTACTS: 

Liz Palmer

Robert Roland
Director of Marketing and Sales
+1 (647) 281-3633
rob@liz-palmer.com

Another Record year in Cognac: 200 million bottles shipped

For the fourth straight year, exports of Cognac have continued their steady rise

For the fourth straight year, exports of Cognac have continued their steady rise, with an increase of 8.2% in volume and 5.4% in value. The previous record of bottles shipped (200 million) has been surpassed, with 205.9 million bottles shipped between August 2017 and July 2018. With 3.2 billion euros (roughly 300 billion dollars) in revenue, Cognac contributes significantly to France’s trade surplus in the wines and spirits sector, accounting for nearly a quarter of the total value of French wine and spirits exports and placing Cognac at the top of the major appellations.

Cognac consolidated its position in the NAFTA zone with 89.8 million bottles shipped. This translates to an increase of 9.4% in volume and 0.2% in value, in the 9th consecutive year of growth2. The United States remains the leading market, with 86.5 million bottles shipped during the period. “The brown spirits category is growing in the US market. The historical presence of cognac and the constant investment by the Cognac houses in this market have reinforced the performance of cognac in the U.S.,” explains Patrick Raguenaud, President of the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC).

The East Asian market continues to grow, with 60.9 million bottles shipped (an increase of 13.5% in volume and 12.4% in value). China is driving growth in this zone, with nearly 26.2 million bottles shipped. For Patrick Raguenaud, “these good results confirm China’s continued appetite for Cognac, even with transitions currently taking place in that market.”

Shipments to continental Europe remain stable with a slight loss of 2.0% in volume but a rise of 3% in value, for a total shipment of more than 41.3 million bottles. These results are due to a small decrease in exports to western and northern Europe and growth in Russia and Latvia. “Particularly in the United Kingdom, our largest European market, shipments remain stable, despite the uncertainties of Brexit,” says Patrick Raguenaud.

Significant potential for development in the rest of the world

Increased exports also continue in other areas, with strong potential for Cognac in countries such as South Africa, Vietnam, Oceania and the Caribbean4. Exports to these markets rose by 12.2% in volume and 5.3% in value. All together, these promising markets represent more than 6.7% of total exports, or nearly 13.9 million bottles.

Exports increase for all categories: V.S., V.S.O.P. and Hors d’Âge

Representing 50% of total volume, the V.S., V.S.O.P. and older categories—including Napoléon, X.O. and Hors d’Âge—continue to play a prominent role in Cognac’s strong performance5. The success of V.S. (minimum 2 years aging) cognac continues to be driven by the North American market–which accounts for half of all cognac shipments—growing in volume by 6% and in value by 4.1%.

Representing a little less than 40% of the production, V.S.O.P. (minimum 4 years aging) shipments increased by 10% in volume and 2.1% in value. Napoléon (minimum 6 years aging), X.O. and Hors d’Âge (minimum 10 years aging, respectively) are also experiencing significant growth with a rise of 12.4% in volume and 10.3% in value, thanks to strong results in East Asia.

According to Patrick Raguenaud, «the good momentum we are experiencing today in these three quality-designated categories can be explained by cognac’s strength in all markets, with varied consumption patterns.

Cognac: spearheading French wine and spirits exports

According to the Fédération des Exportateurs de Vins et Spiritueux de France (Federation of Exporters of Wines and Spirits of France) and the Fédération Française des Spiritueux (French Federation of Spirits), 2017 saw French spirits exports reach new records and break the € 4 billion mark, for a total of 437 million liters (an increase of 2.4%). Cognac, accounting for 70% of the value of spirits exports, gave a strong boost to the overall value. In addition, Cognac now represents nearly a quarter of the total value of all French wine and spirits exports.

Christophe Forget, Vice President of the BNIC, comments on cognac’s growth, which confirms its dynamism and international influence: “Cognac growers and négociants are confident in their future prospects and continue to fully invest in the development of the appellation, the markets and the quality of their products.”

 

Source: Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC).