Spirits – Page 59 – Keep It Overproof!

Category: Spirits

Prosecco Conegliano Valdobbiadene bans use of glyphosate on vineyards

The consorzio for the Prosecco Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG has banned the use of the herbicide glyphosate on vineyards in the area, claiming it is the largest wine zone in Europe to prohibit use of the substance. The consorzio has implemented the ban as part of the 2019 edition of its “viticultural protocol”, a set of guidelines that were launched in 2011 that advises growers in the region on how to be more environmentally sustainable. Innocente Nardi, president of the consortium, said the ban was implemented following a close dialogue between local government authorities and...

La Rioja Alta to support African farming initiatives

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine.

Spanish estate La Rioja Alta has said it will contribute €130,000 this year to farming projects in Cameroon, Burkina Faso and Democratic Republic of Congo and the Caribbean island of Haiti. The money will be donated as part of the winery’s ‘Viña Ardanza Solidario’ programme which was set up in 2007 and sees the winery donate 1% of its annual profits to agricultural initiatives in developing countries. So far the programme has raised €1.1 million for various projects in Cameroon, Mali, Benin, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Guatemala and India among others. This year’s beneficiaries will include...

Tequila dodges tariffs as US and Mexico reach agreement

Posted in Spirits.

Donald Trump has “indefinitely suspended” scheduled tariffs on Mexican imports, but warned the “very profitable” plan could be reinstated. Mexican trade – including the Tequila and mezcal industries – faced a crippling schedule of tax hikes for imports into the US in response to the “sustained influx of illegal aliens” at the US-Mexico border. At the end of May, president Trump announced he was “invoking the authorities granted to [him] by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act” in order to address the “illegal migration crisis”. The plan would have seen the implementation...

Oman to impose 100% excise tax on alcohol

Posted in Spirits.

The Sultanate of Oman is preparing to introduce a 100% excise tax on alcohol, tobacco and energy drinks in a bid to tackle health issues in the region. The tax will come into effect on 15 June and will include pork products. Carbonated drinks will be hit with a 50% excise tax. According to documents issued by the Secretariat General for Taxation of Oman, the state has been “considering the need to diversify non-hydrocarbon revenues” used to fund improvements to the country’s public healthcare system. The statement continued: “Although Oman’s citizens’ and residents’ overall health...

Research shows Savagnin has existed for 900 years

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine.

A genetic study of Iron Age, Roman and medieval era grape pips has revealed that the Savagnin we enjoy today has existed for over 900 years. DNA from the seeds, which were found at various sites across France, also showed that the Romans were making wine with grapes genetically related to Pinot Noir and Syrah. The DNA from the seeds was matched to a genetic databank. Savagnin, the principal white grape of the Jura, was so instantly recognisable because its genetic material has been constantly preserved and passed down through clonal propagation when cuttings were taken. Dr Nathan Wales from...

Selfridges adds new range of ‘up-and-coming’ Canadian wines

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine.

Upmarket London retailer Selfridges has launched a 20-strong range of wines from the Okanagan in Canada, tipping the up-and-coming region for growth. The wines, which are now on shelf, come from the 50th Parallel Estate Winery, CedarCreek Estate Winery, CheckMate Artisanal Winery, Free Form Wines, Haywire Wines and Mission Hill Family Estate, and will be available at the prestigious retailer on London’s Oxford Street until July, after which, only some of the wines will be carried on. Prices range from £18.99 for Poplar Grove’s Pinot Gris to £94.99 for Mission Hill Family Estate’s...

UK food and drink exports boosted by whisky

Posted in Spirits.

Food and drink exports from the UK saw record growth in the first quarter of 2019, once again bolstered by whisky – the nation’s most valuable export. According to figures released by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), food and drink exports from the UK grew by 10.7% to £5.8 billion (US$7.3bn), almost twice the growth rate of Q1 2018. Exports of food and drink grew 12.2% to non-EU markets, outperforming growth to EU markets (+9.9%). The UK’s top three export destinations were Ireland, France and the US, while Hong Kong (-18%), Singapore (-8.3%) and the United Arab Emirates (-8.9%) all registered...

Smirnoff Welcome Home campaign celebrates Pride

Posted in Spirits.

Diageo-owned Smirnoff has launched its Welcome Home campaign in the US to support members of the LGBTQIA+ community taking part in Pride celebrations. To create the campaign, Smirnoff partnered with Orange is the New Black actress Laverne Cox; star of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Alyssa Edwards; and Queer Eye television personality, Jonathan Van Ness. Smirnoff Welcome Home will feature a digital video series, an immersive pop-up, limited edition Smirnoff bottles and a float at the New York Pride March on 30 June. Jay Sethi, vice president, Smirnoff at Diageo North America, said: “In the...

i heart wines launches TV campaign

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine.

One of the UK’s largest wine brands, i heart, has announced it is launching its first television advertising campaign. The first such campaign the brand has ever done, the ad is described as “simple, straight-talking and fun”, designed to reflect the “brand’s essence” and drive “engagement and awareness” of the brand’s still and sparkling wine offering. The advert will air during Love Island on ITV2 as well as the ITVhub and during entertainment shows on 4OD. The campaign will begin on 10 June and will run for 10 weeks. It will be backed up through social media and digital advertising as well...

Gymkhana forced to close after massive fire

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine.

Michelin-starred Indian restaurant Gymkhana on Albemarle Street in Mayfair has been forced to close after a blaze ripped through the restaurant yesterday. Michelin-starred Indian restaurant Gymkhana in Mayfair has been forced to close after a fire It took 60 members of the London Fire Brigade to get the fire under control yesterday afternoon, after it ripped through multiple stories on Albemarle Street. While the cause of the fire is not yet known, a statement from London Fire Brigade yesterday afternoon said: “Half of the ground floor kitchen and half of the ducting from ground floor to roof...