Your daily dose of news and happenings from around the drink-o-sphere:
– Etienne Hugel, commercial director for Famille Hugel and dedicated proponent of Alsatian wine, has died at 57.
– China’s growing market for fine wine, especially for Bordeaux and Burgundy, curiously has yet to embrace Italy’s Barolos, Barbarescos and Super Tuscans.
– New York’s Employees Only will expand to three new cities in the coming months: Singapore, Miami Beach and Austin, Texas.
– In Philadelphia, Mayor Jim Kenny has proposed a tax on soda to help fund city projects, including universal pre-K education.
– Meanwhile, Chicago city representatives debate the merits of an ordinance that would allow strip clubs to carry a liquor license.
– The beverage company, SYNEK, announced plans for its smartphone-activated wine dispenser, Somm, earlier this week—and met its $100,000 Kickstarter goal in 15 hours.
– Finally, as Cuba receives American tourists in record numbers, breweries are being forced to import beer to keep up with demand.
[Photo: Flickr/Maxence]