New wine and spirits listings at Sainsbury's and Asda

By Jo Gilbert

Published: 03 November, 2016

Argentinean winery Bodega Argento is preparing to launch a new line of "fresh and fun" Buenos Aires-inspired wines to Sainsbury's this winter.

A Pinot Grigio and Malbec from the new Comuna range will be introduced to the UK at the Taste of London: The Festive Edition at Tobacco Dock later this month, before being launched in Sainsbury's stores in November and January respectively.

With an RRP of £7 and colourful labels, the Mendoza-based wines have been designed for relaxed social occasions.

The name comes from 15 different districts or 'comunas' which make up the Argentine capital.

Bodega Argento's UK MD, Gustavo Crespo, said the two varieties were picked for their "huge following" in the UK.

Argentina is currently the fastest growing country in the UK off-trade with volume sales up 29% in 2015, with Malbec driving growth with sales up above 50% (off-trade to January 2, 2016, Nielsen).

Asda is also expanding its alcohol offering, this time via a deal with Edinburgh Gin to expand its gin range in its Scottish stores.

The deal builds on an earlier one made with the Scottish distillery earlier this year to stock the original Edinburgh Gin as well as a Rhubarb and Ginger Liqueur.

Bodega Argento launches Comuna Bodega Argento launches Comuna

The supermarket chain has now completed the set with a new agreement to launch the Raspberry Liqueur and Elderflower Liqueur.

Asda becomes the first major supermarket brand to stock all three flavoured varieties, available in 44 of its stores.

Heather Turnbull, buying manager for Asda Scotland, said the decision to stock the full range was made following strong demand from customers to have access to products with strong local links.

"Above all else customers are focusing on Scottish provenance and products which use the finest home-grown ingredients possible," she said.

The growth of the gin industry shows no signs of slowing.

Recent data forecasts that gin sales will continue to grow and reach £1.31 billion by 2020 and Brits are suspected to drink more than 29 million litres of gin (Mintel).

Alex Nicol, co-funder of Edinburgh Gin, added: "We've made a considerable expansion to our beers, wines and spirits offering over the last year such as launching new Scottish vodka from Valt, new whisky lines and 25 craft beer lines from breweries across the country.

"This new deal will see our flavoured liqueur range available on Asda shelves and will allow consumers from across the country access to a quality product distilled with pride in Scotland."

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