Spirits – Page 2 – Keep It Overproof!

Organisers of Vinexpo New York say coronavirus ‘has not impacted’ event

The two-day Vinexpo New York 2020 opened as planned on Monday at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, but a degree of uncertainty hangs over the event as to whether coronavirus-related travel restrictions and growing American caution over contact with European visitors will dampen attendance. Officially, the word is no, and the organisers, Diversified Communications, have addressed the virus issue in the “safety” section of its website: “We… are monitoring the situation regarding the novel coronavirus, both in the U.S. and internationally. The current situation has...

Pol Roger to host London and Manchester portfolio tastings

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine.

The Pol Roger Portfolio is to hold two tastings this March in London and Manchester to mark its 30th anniversary. The first tasting will take place at Principals at Sessions House in London on 24 March and then the second at the Cloud 23 Bar on the 23rd floor of Beetham Tower in Manchester on 26 March. The entire range of wines and spirits, including Joseph Drouhin, Staglin Family Vineyards, Grand Tokaj and Glenfarclas, will be presented at each tasting and it will also be the first chance to taste new agencies Kinsman Eades and TOR Wines from California, bolstering the existing high-end...

Southern Glazer’s wine boss recognised by Italian state

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine.

The president of Southern Glazer’s wine division has been given Italy’s highest ceremonial award for his contribution to the international growth of Italian wine over a career that spans more than six decades. Mel Dick, senior vice president of Southern Glazers Wines & Spirits and its head of wine, has been made a Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (OMRI), following more than sixty years in the wine industry. The OMRI is given to individuals in recognition for their achievements in the fields of literature, the arts, economy, public service, and social,...

Metcalfe makes £12,000 from selling off inherited rum collection

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine.

Wine writer Charles Metcalfe made close to £12,000 by selling off a rare collection of rum he inherited from his father. Charles Metcalfe wins big with a rum deal (Photo: Whisky.Auction) Metcalfe won big with a rum deal last week when he decided to have a rare collection of 11 bottles valued on Whisky.Auction. 11 bottles of Lemon Hart rums, filled in the 1940s and saved by Metcalfe’s father, who had worked for Lemon Hart & Sons in 1946-48. The collection spent several years gathering dust after the wine aficionado’s father passed away, but now 10 of the bottles have already...

Ex-Made in Chelsea star Spencer Matthews wins US$2 million investment for low ABV ‘spirit’

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine.

Former Made in Chelsea star Spencer Matthews, the founder of low ABV spirit brand The Clean Liquor Co, has raised US$2 million from Lightspeed Venture Partners. Spencer Matthews attending his launch of The Clean Liquor Company, at The Trading House in London last year. Clean Liquor was selected from a group of 50 international producers to get backing from the US investment firm. Nicole Quinn, partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners, which has stakes in social network Snapchat and Goop, said the firm seeks out businesses that are “not just disruptive but rather represent a generational...

UK drinks SMEs call for duty cut

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine.

A collection of British winemakers, distillers and retailers have called on the new chancellor to cut the duty in his next budget to help boost business. The companies, all considered small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), have signed an open letter to chancellor Rishi Sunak appealing for a cut of 2% in wine and spirit duty to help their businesses flourish. Currently, the duty levied on spirits (£8.05 per bottle) means that British distillers paid 52% of all spirits duty receipts collected across the EU in 2018/19. Karl Mason, founder of Masons Yorkshire Gin, said: “Mr Sunak...

Taste premium rum, canned wine, craft gin and alcoholic tea at the Wine & Spirits Show

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine.

We bring you a sneak peak of what to expect at our Wine & Spirits Show taking place in Westminster this April. After a two sell-out shows in 2019 and 2018, attended by over 1500 people, we are thrilled to announce that our Wine & Spirits Show will be back at One Whitehall Place on Friday 3 and Saturday 4 April 2020. The exhibitors So far we’ve had a handful of very big names in the wine world sign up to take part in our two-day exhibition this year. Ehrmanns-owned wine brand Beefsteak Club, Italian giants Bosco Viticultori and Zonin, and Spanish and Portuguese brokerage specialises...

English wine industry ‘must do more to be sustainable’

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine.

Daniel Ham, founder of Offbeat Wines, believes that the English wine industry must increase its commitment to the environment, and hopes his story will encourage others to pursue sustainable, organic and biodynamic projects. Daniel Ham, founder and head winemaker of Offbeat Wines. Ham, the former winemaker at Langham Wine Estate in Dorset, has now left his position to establish his own sustainable winery on a biodynamic farm in Wiltshire. Speaking to the drinks business, he called for a more coordinated approach to sustainability, following the lead of bodies such as Comité Champagne. While...

Future Proof Files Injunction Against Molson Coors

Posted in Beer, Industry.

Dear Client: Recently we reported that BeatBox maker, Future Proof, had sent a cease and desist letter in January to Molson Coors Beverage Company for what the former dubbed infringement against its seltzer brand, Brizzy. As BBD readers know, MCBC is bringing a similarly named hard seltzer brand, Vizzy, to market imminently. Molson Coors Beverage Company had expressed its intent to respond by Friday, February 7. But Thursday afternoon, Future Proof filed an injunction, CEO Justin Fenchel told BBD. But then, a press release hit on Friday, confirming that Future Proof filed litigation...

Bombay Sapphire launches long-awaited rtd gin into grocery channel

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine.

Gin brand Bombay Sapphire has launched its first RTD in a can, which will roll out on supermarkets shelves next month. The brand, which is owned by Bacardi, Bombay Sapphire’s VP Victoria Morris said it had frequently been asked when it was planning to enter the rtd market, but it had taken its time to get a drink that did the brand justice. “The development of Bombay Sapphire® & Tonic took time for good reason, as we know our consumers expect only the very best from us and we are extremely proud to say that we’ve created a Ready-to-Drink befitting to the...

Tag: Spirits