ENYE joins Illinois liquor retailers in opposing increase in state liquor taxes

The ENYE Group wishes to join its major retail partners in opposing the proposed increase in the Illinois Liquor Tax (House Bill 255) which is currently awaiting signature by Governor Pat Quinn (D). The proposed increase would raise the current tax on wine 90% from $0.73 a gallon to $1.39 a gallon.

According to the group Americans for Tax Reform, "These tax hikes will almost certainly result in lower tax revenue for the state as consumption naturally declines. Just this week, Kentucky announced that after applying the state’s 6% sales tax to alcohol beverages earlier this year, total tax revenue dropped by over $1.7 million and was 55% below last year’s revenue at this time. Similarly, tax revenue from wine consumption in Kentucky dropped by more than $75,000. Furthermore, the last time the federal government raised the distilled spirits excise tax, it took 11 years to bring in more revenue."

We believe that the increase will drive consumers across state lines to purchase alcoholic beverages, will hurt small distributors and retailers, and will not produce any significant additional revenue for the state due to lowered consumption. ENYE strongly encourages Governor Quinn to veto HR Bill 255 and just say no to higher liquor taxes in Illinois.

ENYE enhances its boutique portfolio with a collection of unique Spanish spirits

The ENYE Group is pleased to announce a new line of Spanish spirits, initially available in Illinois, in a move to broaden its base of high quality boutique Spanish wines. ENYE is currently seeking distributors for these products in all US states.

ENYE has partnered with Destilerias Manuel Acha, a family-owned distillery based in Amurrio (Alava), Spain, to bring these spirits to the US marketplace. Destilerias Manuel Acha has been in business since 1831, and is now operated by Gabriel Acha, the 7th generation family member now running the business. All ingredients used to make Acha's line of distilled spirits is natural, with no artificial flavorings or ingredients added.

Why bring these spirits to the US? In Spain, there is no such thing as a short and quick bite to eat. Dinners are long, social events capped off by the “sobremesa”, or after dinner conversation and a distilled spirit digestif. In more traditional Spanish restaurants, icy freezer-chilled bottles of Pacharán (a liqueur made of Anis Cream and Sloeberries) and Orujo (Spanish version of Grappa) are left on the table after dinner for guests to enjoy as they please. ENYE is pleased to be one of the only wholesalers in the country to bring these products to the United States, in our quest to find “The Essence of Spain”.

The ACHA spirits that are now an integral part of ENYE's all-Spanish portfolio include:

ATXA Black Label Pacharán (25% alc/vol) - 1L format
A typical after dinner digestif in Spain, served cold over ice. Macerated with sloeberries and anis cream.

Fonte do Miño Orujo de Aguardiente (40% alc/vol) - 750ml format
Spanish version of white grappa, made from distilled grain alcohol and grape pomace.

Fonte do Miño Orujo de Hierbas (30% alc/vol) - 750ml format
Orujo distilled with 15 different types of herbs, such as thyme, sage, basil, rosemary, etc.

Fonte do Miño Orujo de Cafe (30% alc/vol) - 750ml format
Orujo distilled with natural coffee beans.

WSK - Caramel flavored Whiskey (25% alc/vol) - 750ml format
One of Acha's biggest sellers in Spain. Complex aromas of sweet caramel and whiskey has significant potential both behind the bar and in the kitchen as a key ingredient in dessert.

For more information on any of these products or to inquire about exclusive distribution rights, please contact Manuel Pulido from the ENYE Group on (312) 876-1200 or via e-mail at manuel@enyegroup.com.

ENYE Event: Meet the Winemaker Series Dinner/Tasting with Raul Acha from VINTAE

ENYE is pleased to host the Head Winemaker/Enologist of the Rioja-based VINTAE Group to Chicago, Raul Acha, accompanied by Nicole Johnson, Export Manager for the group. VINTAE is one of the hottest, most innovative wine groups in Spain and ENYE is pleased to be the exclusive distributor of their products in the United States. VINTAE owns and closely operates wineries located in Rioja, Toro, Ribera del Queiles and Valles de Sadacia.

We will host an excellent evening of food, wine pairings, stories and education for up to 50 guests on Thursday, May 14th at 7:00pm at the Private Dining Room at Fleming's Steakhouse and Wine Bar, 25 E. Ohio Street, Chicago.

Cost is $68 per person (excluding gratuity) that includes 9 courses each paired with one of VINTAE's excellent wines.

RSVP by phone (312) 876-1200 or by e-mail to: manuel@enyegroup.com.

Tickets can also be purchased online by clicking on the following link: http://www.localwineevents.com/Chicago-Wine/event-247526.html

International Wine Review awards 92 points to Mercedes Eguren

The International Wine Review in its November online publication on Spanish Wine (www.i-winereview.com) awarded 92 points to the Mercedes Eguren Shiraz-Tempranillo 2005 vintage and 90 points to the 2006 vintage from VT Tierra de Castilla, both of which are available currently in the ENYE portfolio and at fine retailers and restaurants in and around Chicagoland.

Of the 2005 Shiraz-Tempranillo, the International Wine Review writes:
"What a stunner! The color is dark ruby with a ruby-garnet rim. Aromas of dark fruit with leather notes give way to a soft attack of layered sweet black fruit with chocolate and plum notes on the palate. Oak and fruit are nicely integrated, and the tannins are soft and ripe on the long finish. " 92 points.

... and the 2006:
"A 50% Shiraz, 50% Tempranillo blend that spends 6 months in American oak. Has a deep ruby core and purple rim with aromas of ripe plum and black cherry fruit with earth notes. This is a well-balanced and nicely integrated modern style wine that offers an expressive, soft, sweet attack of bright plum fruit with a nice long, firm tannic finish. " 90 points.

Further information on these wines can be obtained by contacting The ENYE Group on (312) 475-9477 or via e-mail at info@enyegroup.com.

ENYE Distribution Group at the Midwest Wine Expo

ENYE Distribution Group is pleased to be participating in the Midwest Wine Expo, sponsored by Binny's Beverage Depot, on Sunday, October 5th at Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace, IL. We will be featuring six wines from our acclaimed Spanish portfolio, including Libalis, AÑ Vino Espumoso Sparkling Verdejo, Torrederos Roble 2005, Bodegas Vagal "Cuvee Joana" 2006, Bodegas Vereda Real "Bobalia" Roble 2005 and DON Tempranillo-Cabernet Reserva 2000. Consumers attending the event have the opportunity to purchase all of our wines for 15% off from Binny's Beverage Depot.

Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 at the door. For more information or how to obtain tickets for the event, go to www.binnys.com.

The ENYE Group welcomes new wines from DO Utiel-Requena and VT Valles de Sadacia

The ENYE Group continues its quest for the best wines and varietals from each region of Spain with the addition of four new wines from DO Utiel-Requena in Valencia and a brand new "VT", Valles de Sadacia, carved out of DOCa Rioja to specialize in white wines.

"LIBALIS" 2007 - BODEGAS CASTILLO DE MAETIERRA (Calahorra, La Rioja, Spain)
VT Valles de Sadacia
90% Muscat a Petits Grains, 5% Viura, 5% Malvasia

When we tasted this wine the first time, we were blown away by every aspect: the bottle presentation, its color, the bright but sweet Muscat nose, the complexity and unbelievable finish on the mouth. This is about the best white wine we have tried in a long time, and we had to take it on.

VT Valles de Sadacia, a new VT/DO located in the La Rioja region, was created in order to reintroduce varietals previously indigenous to the area but not recognized under the larger DOCa Rioja, such as Muscat a Petits Grains. Formed by four of the seven Riojan valleys, through which channel various rivers, the Valles de Sadacia make up a natural area of exceptional singularity, declared a Reserve of the Biosphere by UNESCO in 2003.

The winery, Castillo de Maetierra, has 40ha. of estate owned Muscat a Petits Grains which opens the harvest year after year in Rioja due to its early ripening. The harvest is carried out by hand using small crates, ensuring that the grapes reach the winery in perfect condition. Another singular characteristic of these wines is that the combination of the three varieties makes it possible to prolong their shelf life into the third year from bottling.

BODEGAS VEREDA REAL (Requena, Valencia, Spain)
DO Utiel-Requena

"BOBALIA" ROBLE 2005 - 100% Bobal
"SELECTTO" CRIANZA 2004 - 60% Tempranillo, 15% Bobal, 15% Merlot, 10% Syrah
"ETTNOS" RESERVA 2003 - 65% Bobal, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot

We met Pedro Carcel for the first time at the Spanish Wine Cellar event in New York, in search for "anything but Tempranillo" and were mightily impressed by his wines. Several conversations ensued and we sealed the deal over a delicious lunch at "Meson Txistu" in Madrid. Pedro takes great pride in his wines and his winery, which have come stateside for the first time this year. We are pleased to carry the entire line from the small, family owned winery located in Requena, Valencia.

The predominant varietal in that particular area is Bobal. We were attracted to the varietal because of its complexity and the potential the grape shows, particularly when blended with other varietals. Pedro has managed to make a very respectable, pure Bobal wine in the form of "Bobalia". "Selectto" is a blend that changes every year depending on the quality of the harvest, in 2004 it so happens that Pedro put together quite a coupage of four varietals with fantastic results. And, our personal favorite, "Ettnos" is a marvelous food pairing wine, where Bobal, Cab and Merlot dance delicately together with French, Spanish and Eastern European oak to make one hell of a wine.

These wines will be available soon in select retail and restaurants throughout Chicagoland. For more information on distribution in other states, please contact us at info@enyegroup.com.