Lassonde Industries Inc. creates Arista Wines Inc. and launches five wines in exclusive packaging in Quebec
The Company's mission is to develop new markets using our technical and scientific expertise to the best of our ability, and for us, wine is a market that aligns with our growth objectives.
06/04/06 ROUGEMONT - Pierre-Paul Lassonde, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lassonde Industries Inc. (TSX symbol: LAS.SV.A) proudly announces the creation of Arista Wines Inc., a new wholly owned subsidiary specializing in the conditioning and the distribution of imported wines.
The new entity is managed by Jocelyn Tremblay, who has been named President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Tremblay was president of the Société des alcools du Québec for 12 years from 1986 to 1998 and has been on the Board of Directors of Lassonde Industries Inc. for the past two years. "Lassonde is a company that produces and processes quality consumer products at affordable prices.
Our mission is to develop new markets using our technical and scientific expertise to the best of our ability, and for us, wine is a market that aligns with our growth objectives. We have been working on this project for several months, and we are now ready to market our products. No other person is better suited to lead Arista Wines than Jocelyn Tremblay. Jocelyn is well known and respected in wine circles, and he knows every facet of this business," stated Mr. Lassonde. In the coming days, Arista Wines Inc. will distribute five new wines under the Bistro Mundo Import trademark. These controlled appellation wines will be distributed through the grocery and convenience store network in Quebec. What is special about these new products is that they will be sold in Tetra Pak's 1L Tetra Prisma cartons. "We are not starting a revolution but following developments that seem to be a new trend in quality table wines offered at competitive prices," added Mr. Tremblay. The line comprises two wines from France (Chardonnay, Syrah), one from Argentina (Malbec), one from Italy (Merlot), and one from Spain (Tempranillo). Each was subjected to a rigorous selection process involving the most reputed wine producers in the world. The prices range from $9.87 to $11.45.
It should be noted that, at these prices, consumers get a quarter more wine than in a regular bottle. The packaging for Bistro Mundo Import wines is the next step in the evolution of containers in which wine has been offered to date. When compared to wineskins, clay amphoras, and the first glass bottles in the 17th century, Tetra Prisma cartons offer several unique advantages. Formed of several superimposed layers of polyethylene, aluminium, and paperboard, Tetra Prisma packaging - a technology that Lassonde helped develop and to which it holds exclusive rights in Quebec - allows wine to age while protecting it from light and ambient air. As well, the carton is shatterproof, lightweight, easy to carry, and above all, 100% recyclable. In Italy, more than 32% of table wines are sold in paperboard cartons. The same phenomenon is also seen in Argentina where 55% of table wines are in the same type of packaging, while in Chile, the figure is said to be more than 50%. In neighbouring Ontario more than 3,000 cases of 1L Tetra Paks of wine are sold every week. Bistro Mundo Import wines will be marketed by A. Lassonde Inc., another subsidiary of Lassonde Industries Inc. Jean Gattuso, President and CEO of this subsidiary, has a well established reputation, ability, and expertise in the food network. Lassonde Industries Inc. has again innovated by creating a new segment in the category of wine sold in grocery and convenience stores. Lassonde Industries Inc. is a Canadian leader in the development, manufacture, and marketing of fruit and vegetable juices and drinks, and fondue bouillons as well as certain specialty food products. Among its most recognized trademarks are Rougemont, Oasis, Fruité, and Canton.
