Spirits – Page 8 – Keep It Overproof!

Hendrick’s releases limited edition Lunar gin

Quirky gin brand Hendrick’s has released a limited edition ‘Lunar’ gin in the UK, which is due to go on sale at Fortnum & Mason on 20 February. Described as “distinctly floral with a delicate spicy finish”, the small batch gin is the second release from master distiller Leslie Gracie’s Cabinet of Curiosities at the brand’s Gin Palace in Scotland. It follows the launch of Gracie’s Midsummer Solstice Gin in 2019. According to brand owner William Grant & Sons, the gin was conceived “beneath the celestial light of the moon and yields...

Bacardi launches Bombay Sapphire lower ABV pink gin liqueurs

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine.

Bacardi will expand the range of its gin brand Bombay Sapphire with the launch of four liqueurs that add a “floral or fruit boost” to a standard G&T. Renaud de Bosredon, Bombay Sapphire’s brand ambassador, said the pack is designed to “complement our world-famous gin, without overpowering the much-loved profile of the gin itself. They come in four flavours – rose, hibiscus, strawberry and raspberry – and are designed to add a pink hue to a mixed drink, and carry an ABV of 20%. They will be available online from Ocado from 5 February, in-store at Sainsbury’s...

Venezie DOC posts 34% rise in sales

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine.

The Venezie DOC consortium has revealed that despite 2019 being “a real challenge”, sales were up 34%, equating to a rise of almost 53 million bottles compared to 2018. In a statement, the consortium said 2019 had proved difficult due to the economic situation and a 25% drop in production in 2018. Despite this, it revealed that sales of DOC wines were considerably up on the numbers recorded in the previous year, with a total of 223 million bottles sold. Exports to the UK experienced a 5% dip, however, which the consortium attributed to Brexit uncertainty. Established in 2017, the...

Wine & Spirits Show returns for 2020

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine.

the drinks business and The Spirits Business will once again join forces to bring you the ultimate tasting experience in London this spring. After a two sell-out shows 2019 and 2018, attended by over 1500 people, we are thrilled to announce that The Wine & Spirits Show will be back at One Whitehall Place on Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th April 2020. Sample hundreds of fine wines sourced from all over the world which have picked up awards in our Global Masters blind tastings, discover new producers, and kick back with a gin and tonic made with some of the finest craft spirits on the market...

Diageo ‘buoyant’ on EU trade as Brexit looms

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine.

Dan Mobley, Diageo’s global affairs director, said the spirits group is “feeling buoyant” about its trade with the EU and is looking eagerly for the UK to strike its own trade deals with other countries to seize the extra opportunities they could bring. “We are very pleased to see the withdrawal agreement pass and the certainty that gives us,” he told a London press conference, adding the company would take Brexit “in our stride.” “There are two factors for a multinational on leaving the EU, leaving the single market and leaving the customs...

Global Malbec Masters 2019: the results in full

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine.

All the medallists and extensive analysis from the latest Malbec-only tasting from the Global Masters, featuring the best samples from Argentina and Chile, and a surprising discovery from Spain. The entries were judged on 7 November in The London Marriott Hotel, County Hall The Malbec revival may be a recent phenomenon, but this single grape has already been through several phases. In fact, during the course of this century alone, it has swung to stylistic extremes, before settling into a happy medium, meaning that the development of Malbec has many similarities to Chardonnay’s changing...

Analysis: Study shows grape swaps could help thwart global warming

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine.

A study has revealed that a 2°C rise in temperatures could wipe out production in 51% of current wine regions, but planting heat tolerant varieties could help mitigate the effects of global warming. We take a look at the issues involved. Vineyard sign marking Burgundy Way and Pinot Noir Way taken in October 2019 after the Kincade fire in Sonoma, California. Image: iStock The study A study, carried out by researchers at the University of British Columbia and published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, has stressed that swapping certain grape varieties for more heat-tolerant...

Suntory acquires 10% stake in Macallan owner

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine.

Japanese drinks group Suntory has bought 10% of the shares in Edrington, the owner of whisky brands including The Macallan, Highland Park and The Famous Grouse, for an undisclosed sum. The two companies have worked together since the early 1990s. Suntory is a shareholder in The Macallan and distributes several brands from Edrington portfolio in markets including Japan, Germany, Canada and South Africa, and through joint ventures in the UK, Spain and Russia. Edrington and Suntory co-own whisky and Cognac distributor Edrington-Beam Suntory UK, formerly known Maxxium UK. In a statement, Edrington...

‘Appellation not grape variety’ is the way forward for Portuguese wine

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine.

Director of Oakley Wine Agencies, Nick Oakley, has said that promoting appellations such as the Douro or Dão is the way forward for Portugal, as the grape variety approach does not translate as well. Oakley, who is celebrating 30 years in business this year, told db that Portugal should not copy the grape variety model employed by countries in the New World. He said: “The problem is that Touriga Nacional is not Malbec or Pinot Noir. You’re never going to be able to turn it into the grape variety of Portugal, as for one thing, it doesn’t crop highly enough. “Promoting...

Are US consumers ditching wine for hard seltzer?

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine.

Following reports that wine consumption is starting to tail off in the US, further data has revealed that hard seltzer could be taking its place. White Claw Hard Seltzer Natural Lime (PRNewsFoto/White Claw Hard Seltzer) Around one in three adults in the US (77 million) consumed wine at at least once a month in 2019, down from 88 million in 2015, according to a survey from Wine Intelligence. And when it comes to the demographics, it is 21-34 year-olds who are most likely to report drinking less wine. In a survey of around 2,000 consumers, just under 4 in 10 (39%) said they had reduced...

Category: Spirits