Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Branson launches Virgin wine range

Published: 18 January, 2007

Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group has teamed up with Brown-Forman Wines to launch Virgin Vines, a range of two wines aimed to appeal to young adult consumers'.

Out of Africa

Published: 18 January, 2007

Whitley Neill is a new London Dry Gin created by Johnny Neill, the fourth generation of the Greenall Whitley distilling family.
The key botanical used is the fruit of the African Baobab tree, which also features on the packaging. The Cape Gooseberry is another of the nine botanicals in Whitley Neill, and the company describes the taste as smooth and bold, combining aromatic citrus zest with a warm, cocoa-like finish'.
Neill says: I wanted to create a gin that stands out from the crowd and reflects my passion for premium spirits and Africa. Whitley Neill is a gin with a bold, vibrant personality for those who appreciate fine spirits with authenticity and provenance.'
Whitley Neill costs 20 and will be available in Harrods, Selfridges and Harvey Nichols, as well as London style bars.

Branching out

Published: 18 January, 2007

Compass Box Whiskies has unveiled its latest product, The Spice Tree.
A vatted malt, bottled at 46% ABV, The Spice Tree has a secondary maturation in French Sessile oak - oak
that company founder John Glaser describes as the highest-quality casks in the world'. He adds: The trees for the casks are 195 years old, and this slow growth allows for more of the "good" chemical compounds that are introduced with the whisky. It also imparts a rich, deep spice character.'
The Spice Tree, which is a blend of four Highland malts, retails at 26.99 and will be available at Harrods, Selfridges, Waitrose and many independent retailers in the UK.

Vodka on Ice

Published: 18 January, 2007

The first-ever distillery on Iceland has launched its debut product: Reyka Vodka.
The distillery is owned by William Grant & Sons and features a Carter-Head still, which are normally reserved for gin production. Reyka also uses a two-stage lava-rock filtration system, believed to be the first of its kind.
Distillery manager Kristmar Olafsson said: We are very excited to produce such a fantastic-tasting vodka. There are very few cleaner or less-polluted places in the world than Iceland, and you can really taste that in Reyka vodka.'
A 70cl bottle of Reyka is expected to retail at 15.99, and it will be also available in style bars across the country.

Grenache ros from PLW

Published: 18 January, 2007

Peter Lehmann Wines is launching its Grenache ros into the UK for the first time.

R' joins the Club

Published: 18 January, 2007

Champagne Ruinart has decided to release its non-vintage Brut, R' de Ruinart, in the same bottle it developed for its two other non-vintage styles: Ruinart Blanc de Blancs and Ruinart Ros.
Ruinart's president, Bernard Peillon, said: We are delighted to have a consistency in the shape of all our non-vintages, and Ruinart's signature bottle [inspired by the original bottle shape used at the foundation of the house in 1729] will make our Champagnes instantly recognisable.'
A blend of 40% Chardonnay and 60% Pinot Noir, R' de Ruinart retails at 27.99 a bottle.

Vintage Glenfiddich

Published: 18 January, 2007

Glenfiddich has released its new vintage malt whisky, 1972 Glenfiddich.

Cloudy Bay 2005

Published: 18 January, 2007

The 2005 vintage of Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc is released this month for 13.99 (at numerous stockists including Waitrose and Majestic).
Kevin Judd, chief winemaker at the LVMH-owned estate, said that the quality of this year's vintage is very high. Some years we cull more batches than the accountants would like us to,' he said, but this year's quality was high across the board. We had a really interesting array of flavours to work with, and the final blend comprises all the classic aromas of tropical fruit, citrus and fresh herbs.'

Citrus-friendly cream

Published: 18 January, 2007

Walders creamy coffee liqueur is a blend of Scotch whisky and real coffee, and a 100% non-dairy base.

Aldi set for summer

Published: 18 January, 2007

Aldi has added to its summer range of wines with 2004 Lucas Malbec Bonarda from Argentina, a blend of 60% Malbec and 40% Bonarda.

Swinging Sixty

Published: 18 January, 2007

The latest addition to the Blackwood Distillers portfolio is Blackwood's 60 Vintage Dry Gin.

Broken Earth unveiled

Published: 18 January, 2007

Australia wine producer Tandou Wines unveiled its new range at the LIWSF.

Tale of two spritzers

Published: 18 January, 2007

VNO1 UK has launched two white wine spritzers aimed at both the on- and off-trade.

New Jacob's Creek range

Published: 18 January, 2007

Pernod Ricard Travel Retail Europe and Jacob's Creek have launched Jacob's Creek Winemaker's Selection, a new range of wines available exclusively to travel retail channels.

Noilly Prat Red launched

Published: 18 January, 2007

Noilly Prat Red has been launched in the UK by First Drinks Brands. Made from Languedoc wines and a secret blend of herbs and spices, Noilly Prat Red is the brand's first foray into the red vermouth market.

Banrock's big spend

Published: 18 January, 2007

Australian brand Banrock Station is spending more than 500,000 on a national advertising and sampling campaign over the summer.

Beringer sparkles

Published: 18 January, 2007

Beringer is to embark a major concert sampling campaign this summer to support the launch of its Sparkling White Zinfandel.

Funkin launch revolutionary new flavours

Published: 18 January, 2007

Funkin, leading Fruit Juice and Puree suppliers, announce the launch of Pure Pour' in Lemon and Lime and six new purees: Mixed Berry, Blackberry, Pineapple, Guava, Almond Milk & Praline to the UK and Worldwide in August 2005.