SI Ticker Tape: Miguel Torres honoured; US wine consumption rises; Red wine & longevity
On the 7th of March,The Drinks Business, a prestigious British Magazine presented the Lifetime Achievement 2011 Award to the President of Bodegas Torres, Miguel A. Torres for his career spent supporting sustainable environmental practices in the wine and spirit industry. Setting itself firmly as a winery committed to the environmental cause, Bodegas Torres received the same award in 2010 for being 'The Green Company of the Year' as well as in 2009 when it was featured in the publication's 'Green List'. Pictured: Miguel A. Torres on one of his visits to India
US wine consumption: The French can no longer pride themselves as being the largest consumers of wine on the planet. That badge of honour is proudly now worn by the US. Yes, it's true - Americans are now the largest consumers of wine in the world. According to a report released by wine industry consultants Gomberg, Fredrikson & Associates, the US shipped nearly 330 million cases of wine last year, up 2% from 2009 to break industry records. That translates to an estimated $30 billion in retail sales! Sparkling wine and champagne were said to have had a 'remarkable year' according to the report.
Red wine & longevity: Pierina "Rina" Brunetti, a woman born in Italy, died recently at the ripe old age of 104. Born in an age when horse-driven buggies were still around, she was said to be extremely adaptable and lived long enough to work an Ipad! Her long life has been attributed to fishing, a lot of walking and - yes, you guessed it - red wine. Her son claims that she lived by the theory of one glass of red wine a day. Her preference when she was younger was Zinfandel.
