Brands news - Wine & Spirits Rss news feed for Morning Advertiser

Reserve Brands’ summer cocktails

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 08:30:00 GMT

Diageo’s premium spirits division, the Reserve Brands Group is set to launch a seasonal campaign aimed at helping pubs serve cocktails.

Russian Standard kicks off ad drive

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 09:03:00 GMT

Russian Standard has unveiled a new international advertising campaign for its namesake vodka.

Summer set to sparkle at Brancott

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 07:03:00 GMT

Pernod Ricard is set to launch a sparkling wine this summer as part of its Brancott Estate range.

Wine list revamp at Punch

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 11:41:00 GMT

Punch has revamped its wine list, adding 25 new wines and extending its range of house wines.

Thatchers boosts Katy Rosé at gigs

Tue, 31 May 2011 08:30:00 GMT

Thatchers Cider will be supporting eight outdoor picnic concerts around the UK to raise awareness of its 5.4% ABV cider Katy Rosé.

Chocolate heaven for liqueur lovers

Mon, 09 May 2011 12:26:00 GMT

Chocoholics can now get their fix in the pub as Thorntons has joined forces with Global Brands to launch a branded chocolate liqueur.

Vivas: upsell wines for summer

Fri, 06 May 2011 02:41:00 GMT

Wine supplier Vivas is urging licensees to encourage their customers to experiment with new wines this summer.

Diageo bags 500 more pubs for draught cocktail trial

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 12:51:00 GMT

Another 500 pubs are to join a Diageo trial of draught cocktails this summer, the Publican’s Morning Advertiser has learnt.

Food and wine matching competition launches

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 09:32:00 GMT

The International Wine and Spirit Competition has launched the world's first food and wine matching competition.

Malibu partners with Nails Inc.

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 12:27:00 GMT

Three limited edition Malibu-branded Nails Inc. varnishes will be exclusively available to consumers through on-trade voucher promotion in selected pubs and bars this summer.

Blue Nun gets new look and wines

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 11:46:00 GMT

Blue Nun wine has been re-launched and repackaged in an effort to reignite interest in the brand and take advantage of the trend for low alcohol wines.

Diageo aims to take on Bacardi

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 09:14:00 GMT

Diageo has announced its intention to take on Bacardi to become the number one rum company in the world by 2015.

Morgan's Spiced gets promoted to Captain

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 02:43:00 GMT

A £7m rebrand for Diageo-owned Morgan’s Spiced will see it renamed Captain Morgan’s Spiced.

By ’eck, I’ll get a Pimm’s

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 02:23:00 GMT

Diageo is investing £4.6m in a summer campaign for Pimm's including a push in the north.

WaverleyTBS’ wine focus

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 12:20:00 GMT

WaverleyTBS this week unveiled a revamped portfolio, which includes 160 new wines, and announced it will freeze prices on 240 of its 700 wines.

Di Cassini Sambuca relaunches with new variants

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 11:13:00 GMT

The Original (White) sambuca will be joined by Liquorice (Black), Spiced Apple (Green) Raspberry & Strawberry (Red).

New wines from Matthew Clark

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 09:32:00 GMT

Key changes taking place in Matthew Clark's Argentinean, Californian and South African wine ranges

Diageo spends £1m on Smirnoff range

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 09:26:00 GMT

Diageo is spending £1m through March and April alone to drive sales of its Smirnoff Flavours range this spring.

Greenall’s Original goes into on-trade

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 11:45:00 GMT

G&J Greenall is to launch its Original London Dry Gin into the on-trade for the first time as part of a £1.4m investment into rebranding the gin.

Chilled red wine from E&J Gallo

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 11:30:00 GMT

Californian wine company E&J Gallo launches a new chilled red wine concept under its Gallo Family Vineyards brand.

Students to lap up V-Kat Schnapps

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 09:43:00 GMT

InterContinental Brands has unveiled its first marketing push after a two-year dispute with Smirnoff owner Diageo.

WKD launches first limited edition flavour

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 12:40:00 GMT

New Purple flavour will be supported with a £3m campaign

Exclusive: Diageo bags bars for draught cocktail

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 12:02:00 GMT

Diageo is trialling its first draught cocktail in the UK under its Smirnoff brand — the new dispense system is on trial in 500 pubs.

Bacardi enters ready to drink cocktail market

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 09:10:00 GMT

Bacardi Brown Forman is launching into the ready to drink cocktail market with Bacardi Mojito and Bacardi Cuba Libre.

Majestic Wine focuses on on-trade

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 01:34:00 GMT

Majestic Wine has launched a commercial arm to focus on wine sales to the on-trade.

Nicolas Feuillatte adds fizz

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 09:34:00 GMT

With Christmas now upon us, Champagne house Nicolas Feuillatte is already turning its attentions to Valentine’s Day.

Bourbon gets a push at Drake & Morgan

Mon, 13 Dec 2010 11:28:00 GMT

Drake & Morgan bars will be pushing sales of bourbon in the new year, as part of a tie up with the Buffalo Trace brand.

Ad campaign for Brancott Estate

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 10:46:00 GMT

Pernod Ricard has launched a marketing campaign for its New Zealand wine brand Brancott Estate.

Exclusive: Tia Maria’s on-trade push

Fri, 26 Nov 2010 10:33:00 GMT

First Drinks has revealed it has “big plans and ambitions” for its Tia Maria brand in the on-trade.

Whisky fun primed for a roll-out

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 10:26:00 GMT

Cellar Trends is planning to roll out its Auchentoshan Presents events nationwide as it looks to attract younger drinkers.

Fever-Tree’s vodka boost

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 10:22:00 GMT

Posh mixer brand Fever-Tree has developed a tonic water especially to go with vodka.

Eristoff vodka and a £250,000 tonic

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 10:18:00 GMT

Bacardi-Martini is putting £250,000 behind its Eristoff vodka brand in the run-up to Christmas.

Britvic and Pernod mix it up at pubs

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 10:02:00 GMT

Britvic and Pernod Ricard have joined forces to boost sales of long mixed drinks in UK pubs and bars.

Wine and food campaign from Campo Viejo

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 04:55:00 GMT

Pernod Ricard UK is running its Viva el Vino campaign in Spanish restaurants again this autumn.

Chapel Down does fizzness for charity

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 10:52:00 GMT

Chapel Down has created a blend of its sparkling wine for the Demelza Hospice Care for Children charity.

Malibu’s all-year appeal

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 10:42:00 GMT

Coconut rum Malibu is refusing to take it easy this winter, with a raft of on-trade initiatives designed to show the spirit as a drink for all seasons.

Get into the Xmas spirits with Diageo

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 01:31:00 GMT

Diageo will encourage consumers to “Make the Most of the Evening” in the run-up to Christmas, with its first winter cross-category campaign.

Jacob's Creek returns to Wimbledon

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 10:02:00 GMT

Jacob's Creek is to replace Blossom Hill as the official wine of Wimbledon next year.

Black Grouse sampling begins

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 12:22:00 GMT

A year-long sampling campaign for The Black Grouse, the premium sibling of The Famous Grouse brand, will aim to introduce the whisky to new drinkers.

Baileys goes nuts in Christmas campaign

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 11:53:00 GMT

A new flavour of Baileys — Baileys with hazelnuts — will be released next month in time for Christmas, the key selling period for the brand.

Wetherspoon nets exclusive deal on Jeremiah Weed

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 08:52:00 GMT

JD Wetherspoon will be the exclusive stockist for the launch of a sweet-tea based liqueur from the US.

Diageo launches Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 11:21:00 GMT

Diageo is launching an ambitious new initiative for its Smirnoff brand, in a bid to create buzz and excitement around the vodka globally.

High hopes for low-ABV wine range

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 10:23:00 GMT

Botany Creek, a new 7.5% ABV wine, will target the original generation of RTD drinkers

Rare whisky duo launch

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:05:00 GMT

Two rare Japanese whiskies are set to hit UK shores this autumn. Both are available only as limited editions at around £70 to £80 a bottle.

Citrus cachaça set for UK

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:02:00 GMT

A citrus-flavoured Brazilian cachaça is ready to hit UK pubs and bars — Salto has a lower alcoholic strength than other cachaça brands, at 24% ABV.

Totally English wine list for south-west pub

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 09:59:00 GMT

English wine is to become a major feature of one south-west London pub from next month.

Aussie Spirits trio promotes purity

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 09:56:00 GMT

The Aussie Spirits company is launching three new drinks into the UK market, following success in its homeland.

Pernod reveals increased Christmas spend

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 03:17:00 GMT

Pernod Ricard UK plans to boost its marketing plans for the 2010 Christmas period by giving four of its brands festive spots on TV.

Hardys wine sponsors Channel 4's first iPhone app

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 03:10:00 GMT

Hardys wine and Channel 4 are to launch the TV channel's first iPhone app, for its popular Come Dine With Me show as part of a muti-million pound campiagn

First gin from "whisky island" Islay

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 02:37:00 GMT

A gin has been produced for the first time on the Scottish island of Islay, more famous for its distinctive peaty whiskies.

Appleton launches a rare rum

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 09:26:00 GMT

Jamaican rum producer Appleton Estate is bringing a rare 30-year-old rum to the UK market.

Chilean wine’s picnic link

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 09:24:00 GMT

Chilean wine brand Casillero del Diablo will be the official wine sponsor of a series of outdoor picnic concerts this summer.

Sampling campaign for Morgan Spiced

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 10:12:00 GMT

An “extensive” sampling campaign will form the on-trade element of a marketing push for spiced rum brand Morgan Spiced.

Wine training rolls out

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:25:00 GMT

Wine supplier Enotria is rolling out its new wine training scheme for bar staff following a successful trial with M&B brand Village Pub & Kitchen.

ICB’s wine-glass format

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 09:49:00 GMT

ICB’s entry-level The Italian Job wine is to be made available in a sealed Tulip wine-glass format.

Captain Morgan’s rugged look

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 09:44:00 GMT

Gold coins and crossed swords form part of the new pack design for the more “rugged” Captain Morgan.

Volare’s flirty dozen

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 02:26:00 GMT

A host of new flavours is joining the Volare Cocktail Liqueur range — 12 new varieties will bring the range to 31.

Diageo to launch Blueberry vodka

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 01:34:00 GMT

Diageo will be expanding its Smirnoff Flavours range with the launch of a new Blueberry vodka.

Southern Comfort in pitcher packs

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 11:37:00 GMT

Pitchers for concocting a Southern Comfort summer serve are available from this week.

Brancott wins Rugby World Cup deal

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 10:16:00 GMT

Brancott Estate has been named as the Official Sponsor of the Rugby World Cup 2011.

Matthew Clark builds list

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 09:23:00 GMT

Matthew Clark, which won the Wine List 2009/10 of the Year award at the International Wine Challenge, is showcasing 150 new wines in its 2010 list.

US trip for 12 Buffalo cork-collectors

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 10:36:00 GMT

Twelve UK bartenders could find themselves winging their way to Kentucky as part of a new on-trade drive for Bourbon brand Buffalo Trace.

Fresh look for Famous Grouse

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 10:33:00 GMT

The Famous Grouse is getting a revamp, with a re-designed logo and new marketing campaign.

Eristoff vodka re-packaged

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 02:06:00 GMT

Bacardi-Martini is unveiling a new look for its Eristoff vodka brand, which it launched into the UK on-trade a year ago this month.

Montana’s major revamp

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 01:55:00 GMT

New Zealand wine brand Montana will be ditching its name from October this year, to reappear as Brancott Estate.

Smokehead goes rock

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 11:32:00 GMT

Smokehead whisky is promoting its rock credentials by teaming up with Classic Rock magazine.

Bibendum eyes curry market

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 11:27:00 GMT

Wine supplier Bibendum has signed up an Indian winery to try and crack the curry market.

New website for bartenders

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 12:10:00 GMT

Social networking, trade tips, cocktail recipes and expert advice will be on offer at a new Pernod Ricard-backed website, Drinkology.

Licor 43 seeks brand ambassador

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 03:11:00 GMT

Spanish liqueur brand Licor 43 is appealing for a UK brand ambassador via a competition.

Hi Spirits sambuca ad cleared by ASA

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 10:02:00 GMT

An ad by Hi Spirits has been cleared by the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) of being misleading.

Small Beer branches into wine

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 09:39:00 GMT

Cask ale wholesaler Small Beer is expanding its product range by branching into wine.

Elements 8 spices up a rum do

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 09:35:00 GMT

A spiced variety is to join the Elements 8 stable of rums this month and will target style bars.

Cocktail shake-up for Malibu drinkers

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 10:11:00 GMT

Cocktails in watering cans will be appearing in bars and pubs across the UK as part of a summer campaign for Malibu.

Gin brings a taste of Mediterranean

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 10:08:00 GMT

A gin flavoured with olives, rosemary, basil and thyme is making its way into London pubs and bars.

Gallo makes Football Fabulous for Females

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 01:26:00 GMT

TV presenter Georgie Thompson has teamed up with Gallo rosé in a World Cup campaign aimed at women.

Pernod gets into World Cup spirit

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 09:47:00 GMT

Pernod Ricard UK is offering pubs a bespoke menu-printing service to help grow spirit sales during the World Cup.

Blossom Hill at Wimbledon

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 09:36:00 GMT

Blossom Hill is injecting £1m in to a summer campaign hinged around its sponsorship of Wimbledon.

Sauza to push Margaritas

Fri, 28 May 2010 03:04:00 GMT

A Sauza-branded cocktail shaker has been designed for bars that wish to boost sales of Margaritas this summer.

Maxxium invests £1.5m in Maker’s Mark campaign

Fri, 28 May 2010 02:56:00 GMT

Maker’s Mark will benefit from a £1.5m investment this year by brand owner Maxxium UK.

Hi-Spirits offers pubs PoS for sambuca

Fri, 28 May 2010 01:15:00 GMT

Hi-Spirits is offering the on-trade a free PoS kit for Antica Sambuca Longshots.

Wine newcomers triumph at international competition

Fri, 28 May 2010 01:10:00 GMT

New wine-producing countries were the unexpected winners in the International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC).

Premium vodkas target UK drinkers

Fri, 28 May 2010 01:02:00 GMT

A host of vodkas from around the world were on display at Distil this month, all hoping to cash in on the UK growth in premium vodka.

Luxardo relaunches limoncello

Thu, 20 May 2010 12:08:00 GMT

A new version of limoncello — that promises a more intense lemon taste — is on its way from Cellar Trends.

First Drinks puts £50m into brands

Thu, 20 May 2010 12:04:00 GMT

First Drinks has pledged to invest a total of £50m in its drinks portfolio this year, with Glenfiddich earmarked as its priority brand.

English wines get gold at International Wine Competition

Tue, 18 May 2010 11:00:00 GMT

Two English wines were awarded gold medals at the International Wine Challenge (IWC).

Global Brands acquires Inspirit Brands

Tue, 04 May 2010 10:36:00 GMT

Global Brands has acquired Inspirit Brands as it looks to move into the premium end of the market.

C&C sells spirits division to William Grant

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 07:37:00 GMT

C&C Group, the Irish drinks producer behind Magners cider, has sold its spirits and liqueurs division to William Grant.

Glen Rossie rebrands with Status Quo

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 10:07:00 GMT

Glen Rossie whisky has been rebranded with a new label, new bottle and new chairman — legendary Status Quo lead singer Francis Rossi.

Pre-mixed can from Whyte & Mackay

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 11:01:00 GMT

Busy on-trade outlets have been offered a helping hand by the launch of a canned range of pre-mixed whisky and cola.

Southern Comfort launches new look

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 08:15:00 GMT

New packaging for Southern Comfort aims to give greater emphasis to capturing the spirit of New Orleans.

Brewer Adnams to produce hand-crafted spirits

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 09:51:00 GMT

Vodka, gin and whisky are to be produced at a new distillery in Southwold, with the first products due for released in November.

Russian Standard goes for gold

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 10:39:00 GMT

A premium variant of Russian Standard vodka has arrived on UK shores — Russian Standard Gold.

Hine Cognac revives luxury XO blend

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 10:35:00 GMT

Hine Cognac, which is now distributed in the UK by Champagne house Pol Roger, is reviving its luxury Antique XO Premier Cru blend.

Caramel vodka’s UK launch

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 10:27:00 GMT

A Spanish vodka with caramel flavours is on its way to the UK on-trade following its success abroad.

Zamaretto goes for Good Times

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 10:48:00 GMT

Zamaretto joins Justin Lee Collins and the Sugared Fingerellas for Good Times

Pubs warned over spirits substitution

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 07:00:00 GMT

Licensees have been warned against passing off inferior spirits as branded names after one restaurant was fined.

E&J Gallo to drive World Cup wine

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:47:00 GMT

E&J Gallo has created a summer cocktail to give World Cup fans an alternative to beer — the Gallo Rosito.

Unusual flavours for Smirnoff Blue

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:10:00 GMT

Spiced root beer and dark roasted expresso are quirky new vodka flavours under the Smirnoff Blue brand.

Courvoisier to get £15m investment in 2010

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:35:00 GMT

Maxxium UK plans to invest £15m in its Courvoisier brand this year to drive growth in the cognac category.

Counterfeit Bollinger in London

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 02:40:00 GMT

Bottles of counterfeit Bollinger Special Cuvée champagne have been appearing in the London area.