Summer sensations
With innovation blooming within Ireland’s drinks sector, consumers have an array of refreshing beverages to choose from when opting for a stylish summer tipple. Make sure you don’t miss out on sunshine sales by failing to stock the in-demand brands, writes Gillian Hamill
Print20 May 2019
Without a doubt, there’s a real buzz in Ireland’s drinks sector at present. “Consumers today have more refined tastes and respond to provenance, brand heritage and the manufacturing process,” says Patricia Callan, director of the Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland (ABFI). “Irish breweries, distilleries and cider producers, have responded in kind, experimenting with new products.
“This has resulted in a huge amount of exciting change within the sector,” Callan adds. “Ireland’s drinks industry is rife with stories of innovation. Whether it’s brewers, distillers and cider producers experimenting with new flavours and products, or companies diversifying, it is truly one of the country’s most exciting and dynamic homegrown sectors.”
A recent report by Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI) revealed interesting statistics about the latest trends and changing dynamics within today’s drinks sector. Consumers have a clear growing taste for spirits, according to the association.
In fact, spirits made up a 20.5% share of the alcohol product market in 2018, a 5.6% increase compared to the previous year. Wine was the only category to decrease, falling slightly by 2% to an overall share of 26.7%. Nevertheless, since 2001, wine share has almost doubled.
Meanwhile, beer remains the nation’s most popular drink, making up a 45.2% share of the alcohol product market last year, an increase of 2.7% in the volume of beer consumed in 2018. Elsewhere, the market share of cider increased by 0.4% to 7.5% of all consumption.
DIGI reports the Irish drinks market is highly competitive and constantly evolving in line with consumer preferences and tastes. However, consumption remains at a stable level since last year, with a competitive domestic market between all alcohol categories.
Average adult alcohol consumption in 2018 was just over 11 lpa (litres of pure alcohol), relative to 2017, this is a tiny increase of 0.1%. This compares to over 14.44 lpa at its peak in 2001, 23.2% lower in the last 17 years, and a decline of almost 18% since 2007.
The report, ‘The Drinks Market Performance 2018’, authored by Dublin City University economist Anthony Foley and commissioned by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI), was published ahead of the launch of DIGI’s 2019 Support Your Local’ campaign.
The growing demand for premium options can clearly be seen within the report’s findings. Irish consumers are “increasingly choosing quality over quantity,” says Rosemary Garth, chair of DIGI and communications and corporate affairs director at Irish Distillers.
“The Irish drinks market continues to showcase its contribution to Irish society as it consistently innovates and invests in line with consumer preferences and tastes,” Garth adds. “What we are seeing in an industry that directly and indirectly employs 90,000 people is businesses and entrepreneurs constantly proving their competitiveness and eagerness to grow, adapt and shift their own business models to develop new, innovative products and services.
“There were four active distilleries in Ireland in 2013,” she adds, “now there are 24, with a further 24 in development. An increase of 5.6% in the market share of spirits is no surprise and proves the determination of Irish distilleries.”
The joy in simple
With an ABV of 4.5%, Appleman’s is available nationwide in 500ml bottles and cans and eight-pack cans
Appleman’s is a beautifully simple, perfectly balanced cider that offers a true apple taste – not too sweet and not too dry. Specifically developed for Irish people’s taste preferences, and only available in Ireland, Appleman’s is crafted using a handful of the best apples to produce a perfectly balanced, effortlessly refreshing cider.
Developed by Heineken Ireland, the company behind Orchard Thieves, Appleman’s delivers more choice to Irish consumers in an otherwise limited cider landscape.
Appleman’s celebrates ‘The Joy in Simple’ and the brand is rooted in those simple, social occasions that offer the perfect balance of good friends, great conversation and great-tasting cider.
Appleman’s has an ABV of 4.5% and is available nationwide in 500ml bottles and cans and eight-pack cans. For more information, check out www.applemanscider.ie.
It’s gonna be another Bulmers summer
Bulmers’ volume in the off-trade jumped 23% last summer versus the previous summer of 2017
After the fabulous summer of 2018, Irish consumers have developed a taste for good weather – and thirst-quenching, refreshing tasting Bulmers was central to toasting that good weather!
With temperatures topping 32°C in parts of the country, the highest recorded since 1946, Bulmers’ volume in the off-trade jumped 23% versus the summer of 2017 (Source: Nielsen, Off-trade Volume, Jun/Jul/Aug, 2017/2018).
Bulmers is a true original, the original Irish cider, central to the evolution of the cider category and its premium positioning in the market, and the brand is getting ready for another bumper summer in 2019.
Bulmers started 2019 on a winner, or rather a series of winners, with its sponsorship of the Cheltenham Festival and The Cheltenham Bulmers Gold Cup – which will forever be remembered following trainer Willie Mullins’ historic win with now legendary horse, Al Boum.
For more than 80 years, generations of workers have been producing ‘Original Irish Cider’ at the Bulmers orchards in Clonmel known as ‘Ciderland’
The first of a four-year sponsorship with one of the most famous racing festivals in the world, Bulmers initiated a 3600 marketing campaign that included a brand new TV ad on air, a comprehensive digital plan and both on-trade and off-trade consumer promotions.
Bulmers drinkers love sport but they also love music and the brand will once again capture the sounds of the summer with the award-winning Bulmers Forbidden Fruit Festival and Body and Soul in June, All Together Now in August and Bulmers Live at Leopardstown providing top class racing and music entertainment right across the summer.
An authentic and refreshing cider, staying true to its roots has always been Bulmers’ philosophy and those roots are firmly embedded in the Bulmers orchards of Clonmel. This land, ‘Ciderland’, is where 17 varieties of apple are grown and harvested to create a traditional blend of Ireland’s number one cider. Ciderland is the embodiment of the Bulmers world where, for more than 80 years, generations of workers have been producing ‘Original Irish Cider’. Ciderland also embodies a moment, a feeling, a state of mind. With the best of friends, in the best of places, alive to the energy.
“This heritage is the heartbeat of the Bulmers brand and having spoken to our customers and consumers, it’s clear that this is what resonates most with them too,” says Duncan Millar, sales director, Bulmers. “So we are going back to our roots in 2019 and focusing on the things that are synonymous with Bulmers through the years; the iconic Dowd’s Lane Cidery vats, the orchards and all of the vibrancy and colour that embody our Irishness and brand heritage.
“This will be reflected in our marketing campaigns,” Millar adds, “some exciting new innovations in 2019 and on our new packaging, which marry all of Bulmers’ important attributes of Irishness and heritage with 21st Century Ireland.”
The sunshine beer
With rainfall down, and talk of drought up, the summer of 2018 brought with it more sunshine than normal. Corona, a brand synonymous with these conditions, achieved a bumper year with volume in the off-trade up 23% compared to the previous summer (Source: Nielsen, Off Trade Volume, Jun/Jul/Aug, 2017/2018).
Corona is known as the sunshine beer with a unique lime ritual. Indeed, it is the most well-known and popular Mexican beer around the globe. Produced entirely in Mexico, Corona is exported to 180 countries worldwide and distributed by C&C Gleeson in Ireland.
Everything about Corona implies sunshine, the signature blue and white label symbolises a horizon: the white represents the sky, the blue represents the sea, and the circle represents the reflected sun. Just looking at the bottle makes you think of the white sands at your fingertips, the blue ocean in front of you and the hot beaming sunshine from above – ‘This is Living!’
The Corona taste is accentuated by slightly malty notes, accompanied by fruity aromas from the fermentation process. It is balanced by a noticeable body that is light enough to quench thirst and bitter enough to deliver a desirable, crisp finish with a 4.5% ABV.
Corona is loved for its effortless, authentic brand appeal, inviting people to spend more time outside enjoying life’s simple pleasures, with the apt tagline, ‘This is Living’.
For more information on Corona, follow the brand on social media @CoronaIreland.
Sun, sand, Míl in hand
The Míl Spritz range infuses pure Irish gin with Iberian flavours
Bursting with zesty southern sunshine and infused with Mediterranean botanicals, the Míl Spritz range of ‘ready to serve’ gin and tonic cans will be hitting the shelves of major retailers across Ireland this summer.
Created by a team of adventurous ginthusiasts from the Pearse Lyons Distillery, located in the historic St James Church in Dublin, the Irish pot still gin has added two refreshingly distinctive flavours to its already established range: Míl Gin Spritz and Míl Gin Rosa Spritz.
Míl captures the essence of expedition, infusing pure Irish gin with Iberian flavours and its new ready to serve cans depict this effortlessly. Targeting both male and female consumers, Míl Gin Spritz will be a go-to beverage for summer festival goers.
Featuring at events across Ireland over the coming months, both products are canned at 5.9% ABV, and with an RRP of €2.99 per 250ml can, what more could you ask for!
Proud, intense and bold
Martini Fiero offers a blend of white wines and botanicals including Murcia orange peel, artemisia absinthium and artemisia pontica
Launching in Ireland this month, Martini Fiero is said to “modernise vermouth for a new generation of drinkers” as Martini responds to consumer demands for bold-flavoured, brightly coloured low ABV drinks. ‘Fiero’ means ‘proud’, ‘intense’ and ‘bold’ in Italian, reflecting the flavourful character of the vermouth.
Martini Fiero’s “zesty, bitter-sweet” orange flavour, which is “100% natural”, has been designed specifically to pair with tonic water for the new modern aperitivo occasion. It delivers a blend of white wines and botanicals including Murcia orange peel, artemisia absinthium and artemisia pontica.
With a zesty, bitter-sweet orange flavour, Martini Fiero has been designed specifically to pair with tonic water for the new modern aperitivo occasion
“Creating Martini Fiero was an exercise in balance,” says Ivano Tonutti, Martini’s master herbalist.
“From a botanical point of view,” he adds, “it was essential to harmonise the vibrant citrus notes of the Murcia orange peel with the bitterness and herbal aromatics of the artemisia alongside the many other botanicals, which in turn had to sit happily alongside the quinine in tonic.”
The recommended serve for the new expression is 50% vermouth and 50% tonic water mixed in a balloon glass with a slice of orange to garnish.
With an ABV of 14.9%, available in a 75cl bottle, contact your local Edward Dillon rep for more details on 01-819 3300.
Parisian life in a bottle
In 2007, Rob Cooper, a third-generation distiller, engaged some of the world’s top mixologists and traditional French liqueur producers to create St~Germain. An exciting innovation in a tired liqueur category, lovingly referred to as ‘Vie Parisienne en Bouteille’, or ‘Parisian Life in a Bottle’. The secret to the French-made liqueur’s allure and early success is the fresh, hand-picked wild elderflower blossoms gathered each spring in the foothills throughout Europe.
Created in France from hand-picked wild elderflower blossoms, St~Germain has won an array of awards
The New York Times remarked that St~Germain is “one of the most influential cocktail components introduced in the last decade”. The liqeur has won an array of awards, including four consecutive Grand Gold medals from Monde Selection, and the Chairman’s Award at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge. It has a reputation for elevating just about any cocktail you mix it with; a must-stock for any cocktail enthusiast.
Cocktail time
Simple, elegant and quintessentially French: there’s no finer way to unwind than with a signature apéritif. For the St~Germain Sharing Cocktail, mix 200ml St~Germain and 350 ml champagne or sparkling wine and top with 350ml soda water. Serve the carafe with Collins glasses, vintage straws and add a twist of lemon. Voilà: The St~Germain Cocktail.
Now available in 50cl, with an ABV of 20%, for enquiries, contact an Edward Dillon rep on 01-8193300.
California dreaming!
The number one selling Californian wine brand in Ireland, Barefoot has increased its wine sales here by more than 12-fold in the past six years. This also makes Barefoot the fastest-growing Californian wine brand in Ireland. What’s more, Barefoot Pinot Grigio is the number one new world Pinot Grigio sold in Irish supermarkets.
Barefoot has grown organically in Ireland through supporting worthy causes, including support of the LGBT community, beach cleans with An Taisce and local charitable causes. An upcoming event is the sponsorship of Dublin’s Pride Run.
SMALLER SUBHEAD: Pride Run
This year Barefoot Wines is supporting the race that launches Pride. The company is excited to be a Gold Sponsor at this event in what is its first year of sponsorship, viewing this as an exciting partnership, set to grow for years to come.
The Pride Run, organised by the Dublin Front Runners, and first held in 2012, is now the leading LGBT sporting event in Ireland and one of the opening events of the Dublin Pride calendar.
The leading LGBT sporting event in Ireland, the Pride Run, is supported by Barefoot Wines
In the last seven years it has raised nearly €60,000 for charity. Each year, charities are selected that support the LGBT community and this year, the designated charities are Belongto, ShoutOut and HIV Ireland.
The run has continued to grow year on year with the target for 2019 being to have 1,000 runners. This growth is a sign of its appeal to, not only the LGBT community, but also the sporting, recreational and corporate community. Everyone is welcome to take part.
This year’s race slogan is ‘We are the Champions’. The idea behind this is that: “Each of us is a hero, each one of us is a champion. We are the hero of our own story. Come unleash your inner hero with us!” This year’s run is on Friday, 21 June at 7.30pm in the Phoenix Park and the organisers are once again expecting a high turn-out.
As well as strong sponsorship and CSR initiatives, Barefoot hits the mark when it comes to delivering quality wine. “We want our wines to be varietally correct, fruit-forward and food friendly,” says Barefoot Cellars winemaker Jennifer Wall.
The Barefoot portfolio of wines includes the Barefoot Wine Zinfandel. This fruity wine has won a commendation in the International Wine Competition 2014; summer flavours like peach, sun ripened strawberries, succulent pears and pineapple create perfection. Try it over ice! As a serving suggestion, it is great served chilled with appetisers, summer fruits, chicken, seafood and cheeses.
Another option is the Barefoot Pinot Grigio which won a Silver Medal 2014 Concours Mondial de Bruxelles U.S. Crisp and full of citrus and peach flavours, this wine goes well with chicken, seafood, spicy pasta and pizzas.
Meanwhile, Barefoot Sauvignon Blanc scooped a Gold Medal at the International Woman’s Wine Competition 2015. Bursting with fruit flavours of fresh pear and crisp citrus, the best serving suggestion for this wine is to simply pack a picnic basket and find a sunny spot!
Barefoot Merlot is another winner, scooping a Gold Medal at the Denver International Wine Competition 2014. Packed with tempting flavours of blackberry, raspberry and chocolate, this merlot is silky smooth. Great served with beef, poultry, pasta with tomato sauces, cheese and dessert.
A range as unique as the man himself!
Graham Norton Wines have achieved over 50 accolades
Arguably Ireland’s favourite West Cork native, Graham Norton has joined forces with Ireland’s leading independent wine and spirit company Barry & Fitzwilliam to distribute his award-winning GN range of still wine, prosecco and now gin. The Graham Norton Wine range includes his best-selling (and highly-awarded) Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough joined by a wildly popular New Zealand Rosé (Some call it a summer picnic in a bottle).
The range also includes Graham Norton Shiraz from Australia which is a blend of Shiraz grapes from the regions of Barossa, Langhorne creek, and The Riverlands. “Graham’s Shiraz is a bold, juicy wine full of character,” according to Rob Cameron of Invivo wines, “just like the man himself!” This wine has been awarded five stars and a 90+ rating by Wine Orbit.
Impressively, Graham’s wines have been awarded over 50 accolades, including Gold at the Global Sauvignon Blanc Masters and twice Gold at the Sydney International Wine Competition.
The Graham Norton Proseccos were the fourth and fifth addition to the range, both sourced from the Prosecco DOC region in Italy, both using 100% Glera grapes produced to Norton’s own specification. A Spumante Prosecco extra dry with the standard mushroom cork and the Frizzante prosecco with the wine style cork. The Spumante won Silver at the Global Sparkling Masters in 2018 and Bronze at the International Wine Challenge. Indeed, Marie Claire magazine describes the range as “one of the most successful celebrity wine collaborations ever”.
Graham Norton controls every aspect of the blending process for his wines, combining southern hemisphere grapes with ‘Norton hemisphere’ brilliance, creating a range of superb wines. Norton had such fun working on the wines, blending each of them, he thought why stop there? Gin is one of his favourite tipples, so he really wanted to put his own Norton-esque twist on one. He wanted something that spoke of the splendour and beauty of West Cork, its countryside and its unique botanicals. The bottle shape and design have great stand out and the gin speaks for itself!
Both Graham Norton’s Own Gins are made from a combination of 12 botanicals including angelica, fuchsia flowers, orris roots, rose hip, basil and liquorice root
Norton has launched an Irish clear gin and Irish pink gin – both gins celebrate the beauty and unique flavours of West Cork. Distilled and produced using 100% Irish grain, Graham Norton’s Own Irish Gin and Graham Norton’s Own Irish Pink Gin draw their flavours from a combination of 12 botanicals including angelica, fuchsia flowers, orris roots, rose hip, basil and liquorice root – all of which contribute to the two gins which are as unique as the man himself!
The clear gin is smooth and fragrant with floral and berry sweetness mingled with fresh green undertones capturing the hedgerows of West Cork with subtle hints of berry and fuchsia. The brand’s serving suggestion is to enjoy this with Indian tonic water, lashings of ice and fresh lime to garnish.
The pink is smooth, fragrant with a touch of spice. Floral, light berry, sweetness with fresh undertones finishing with subtle hints of berry and wild rose. For Graham Norton’s Own Irish Pink Gin, enjoy with Indian tonic water, lashings of ice and summer berries to garnish; it’s particularly nice with sliced strawberries.
Making everyday moments more enjoyable
Yellow Tail believes that great quality wine can be affordable and good fun too. As such, its wines are vibrant, flavoursome and approachable, making everyday moments more enjoyable.
When it comes to wine, Yellow Tail likes to make its own rules, noting that “the only thing we’re really serious about is the quality”. Yellow Tail is instantly recognisable, both for its appearance and personality. If you want to cut to the chase, it’s simple; drink it, share it, and enjoy it.
Shiraz
Often referred to as the classic Australian red wine, Shiraz is an easy to drink, all-time favourite. The Yellow Tail Shiraz is no exception to the rule.
Once the grapes are crushed and stems removed, they are fermented on skins in contact with oak. Temperature-controlled fermentation ensures maximum varietal flavour, colour and tannin extraction. The wine is bottled at the Casella Family Winery in Yenda, New South Wales.
Concentrated red berry fruit is complemented by subtle liquorice, sweet blueberry and subtle spice notes derived from the oak.
A youthful and vibrant red wine that displays red berry fruit flavours with hints of liquorice and spice, Yellow Tail Shiraz is soft and juicy on the palate with a lengthy and weighty finish. Enjoy this wine with a hearty steak or with a bunch of friends in front of a campfire.
Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio is an Italian grape variety that grows very well in Australia’s warm climate, creating wines of not only great drinking, but excellent for matching with food. Enjoying Yellow Tail Pinot Grigio makes you feel like you’ve made a little trip to Italy – without the flight!
The fruit for Yellow Tail Pinot Grigio is harvested in the cool of night, and then pressed and clarified. Particular care is taken throughout this process to avoid oxidation. The clarified juice is fermented at low temperatures by a selected yeast strain to preserve fruit intensity and freshness. The cold storage of the wine maintains the youthful character until it is bottled at the Casella Family Winery in Yenda, New South Wales.
Yellow Tail Pinot Grigio is delightfully fresh with aromas of pear, hints of green apples and a zing of citrus lime. It has a crisp, clean palate and features vibrant flavours of passionfruit, pear and apple. Serve lightly chilled with Asian-inspired share plates on a warm summer evening.
A sparkling touch
Lolea is a 100% natural and unpasteurized sangria produced with the best ingredients. With good wine, fruits and spices, this ‘ready to drink’ wine cocktail boasts a fruity flavour, adequate alcohol level and sparkling touch. This combination makes Lolea easy and pleasant to drink at almost any time of the day.
100% natural and unpasteurized, Lolea is a ‘ready to drink’ wine cocktail ideal for summer get-togethers
Lolea Nº1 Red wine sangria is a tasty sangria made with Mediterranean citrus, quality red wine from the Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes with cinnamon and a sparkling touch. Lolea is not pasteurized, thus keeping all of the organoleptic qualities of fresh wine. Serve it cold, with ice, lime, grapefruit, strawberries, and peaches. It’s surprisingly good with a bit of mint.
Lolea Nº2 White wine sangria is a unique choice made with Mediterranean citrus, young white wine from the Macabeo and Chardonnay grapes with vanilla and that same sparkling touch. Serve it cold, with ice, lime, grapefruit, and pineapple or banana. It’s also surprisingly good with some aromatic herbs!
Lolea Nº5 Rosé is a perfect blend of rosé wine, with the elegant aroma of hibiscus flower and a spicy ginger aftertaste with a fine sparkling finish. Rosé is back in fashion as a good rosé is a genuine wine for all occasions. Lolea Rosé is made using Grenache and Tempranillo grapes, as refreshing as a white wine, but with all the character of a good red, with the grace and freshness of the former and the seriousness and depth of the latter.
‘Craft cocktails’ in a can
Mixed and ready to enjoy, the Glassbox Spirits range is perfect for summer events on the move such as festivals, concerts and picnics
Co. Meath-based Glassbox Spirits has launched Ireland’s first ever range of craft cocktails in a 330ml can. All mixed and ready to enjoy, the small batch 330ml can range consists of three convenient cocktail classics: Gin and Tonic 5% ABV; Pink Gin and Tonic 5% ABV; and Vodka, Cranberry and Soda 5% ABV.
Each product in the classic cocktail range consists of premium distilled spirit mixed with only natural ingredients. No artificial flavourings, colourings or sweeteners are added. The drinks are also packaged in 330ml cans, making them the perfect eco-friendly option for outdoor events and festivals over the summer season.
The classic cocktail recipes have been specially formulated by in-house mixologist and drinks wizard Don Crowley, who says: “It has been great fun developing this new range as it fills a gap in the market for great tasting, great looking premium ready to drink cocktails that are convenient classics. Great taste was our number one priority and we are delighted with the results.”
The range is hitting shelves nationwide and with its distinctive modern design and great taste, is set to appeal to a wide range of consumers.
Glassbox Spirits cans have RRPs of €3.49 each or four for €10 on offer. For trade details, email hello@glassboxspirits.ie or join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @GlassboxSpirits.
Revolutionary shaking up vodka category
Family-made vodka brand, Ketel One, has launched Ketel One Botanical – a new spirit drink distilled with botanicals and infused with natural fruit essences for a crisp, refreshing taste. The first-of-its-kind product is set to establish a new subcategory that will rival traditional summer wine and spritz drinks.
Made with vodka, Ketel One Botanical has a lower ABV of 30%, with no artificial flavours, and contains only 82 calories per serve*.
Ketel One Botanical is a series of three variants in beautifully illustrated, botanical-inspired bottles: Peach & Orange Blossom, for those who enjoy lush, juicy white peaches and bold notes of fragrant orange blossoms; Cucumber & Mint, for those who appreciate crisp cucumbers and light tones of fresh garden mint; and Grapefruit & Rose, for those who seek zesty, mouth-watering grapefruit and the refined elegance of rose petals.
Its signature serve is with soda water for a Ketel One Botanical Spritz, meeting consumer demand for ‘low and no’ alcohol cocktails and spritz-style drinks.
It was care and passion that inspired two brothers to look back on 327 years of family distilling to redefine the category for thoughtful drinkers; offering a fresh, holistic drinking experience.
The crafting of Ketel One Botanical starts with Ketel One Vodka which is blended with the Nolet family’s botanical recipe and re-distilled in small batch copper pot stills. The spirit is then infused with naturally-extracted essences of crisp, fragrant fruits and botanicals for a revolutionarily smooth, fresh-tasting drink.
“Just as our father redefined the possibilities for vodka with the exceptionally smooth crisp taste of Ketel One Vodka, we believe Ketel One Botanical sets a completely new standard in spirits,” says Bob Nolet, eleventh generation master distiller at the Nolet Distillery.
“As it becomes clear that consumers want better drinking options – better for them and better for their community – Ketel One Botanical and the Ketel One Spritz offer a thoughtful choice for consumers looking for something new from their summer serve,” he adds. “It is the perfect alternative for those after-work gin and tonic moments and a great addition to low ABV cocktail menus.”
Carl Nolet Jr adds: “We’ve created a fresh-tasting, delicious new spirit that honours our family’s legacy while reflecting the progressive values of today’s conscious consumers. People care deeply about what they put in their bodies, which is why we care deeply about what goes into every bottle.”
Ketel One Botanical (30% ABV) is now available in Ireland across a number of premium bars, restaurants and off-licences at a recommended retail price of €30 per 750ml bottle. Local reps can be contacted for more information.
*(Source: 82 calories based on 50ml measured serving with 150ml soda water)
Shop Rioja comes to Ireland
This year, Wines from Rioja will be taking its well-established Shop Rioja campaign to Ireland, working with independent merchants and retailers across the country to promote Rioja wines for the whole of October.
What’s in it for you?
The first ever Shop Rioja Ireland will follow the format of the well-established UK initiative, supplying participating retailers with;
- POS packs to help promote Rioja to customers
- Potential sales uplift – in October 2018, Shop Rioja UK participants experienced on average, an 81% increase in the volume of Rioja sold compared to October 2017
- The chance to win £500 towards new Rioja listings
- Fame – we advertise Rioja-related events during the promotion on our website and social channels. In 2018, Shop Rioja UK events generated 2.18 million potential Twitter impressions and a 117% increase in Instagram engagement
How you can get involved
In order to participate in Shop Rioja, we ask that you promote at least three different Rioja producers, and at least one of the wines must be a white or rosé wine. Retailers are encouraged to organise masterclasses, drop-in tastings, Rioja dinners, and more.
Sign me up!
Places are limited so interested retailers can get in touch to find out more via rioja@thisisphipps.com.
Sustainable success
Marcos Fernandez, head winemaker at Doña Paula, is proud of the brand’s sustainability credentials
Argentinean wine brand Doña Paula has successfully passed the audit on the Bodegas de Argentina Sustainability Protocol in its 3.0 version, certifying as a sustainably managed winery.
This protocol was established in 2011, and in June 2018, it launched its 3.0 version. The Sustainability Commission of Bodegas de Argentina, together with a technical team of representatives of wineries from the country and private and public institutions such as the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), National Vitiviniculture Institute (INV) and the Agricultural Sciences Faculty of the Cuyo National University, created the protocol.
It responds to the need to have a standard of sustainable practices adequate to Argentina’s characteristics, aligning the industry in order to address the environmental, social and economic challenges that are specific to wine. To date, only 10 Argentinean wineries have been certified.
“This great achievement was possible thanks to the work we have been carrying out over the past three years in different areas of the company, represented in the Sumar Sustentabilidad committee,” says Ana Paula Minatel, sustainability coordinator for Doña Paula. “This certification also represents a challenge that drives all the Doña Paula team to improve our social and environmental performance throughout the winemaking process, minimizing the impact of our operations on the environment and generating shared value with our workers, their families and the communities.”
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