​Beverage News from India & the World

 “The sole purpose of the DAWA is to recognise and award quality”, says Steven Spurrier, DAWA Co-Chair. “Our standards are high, and so are our expectations. We only award medals to wines in which consumers can have the utmost confidence.”  An elated Sumedh Singh Mandla, CEO Grover Zampa Vineyards says “We are extremely honoured to receive this recognition at the Decanter Asia Wine Awards. It reiterates our position of being one of finest wine makers in India. We are committed to producing top quality wines, enjoyed by wine aficionados all over the world. I am sure this success will help us and other Indian wines, stand tall at international platforms.”

For full results of DAWA 2014, please visit dawa.decanterchina.com/en/2014

(Excerpt from a press release)

P.S: They recently launched the a wine by the name of the Tennis legend; Vijay Amritraj read more 

Mumbai,India
SMIRNOFF®, the world's No.1 vodka, is set to redefine the pre-mixed category in India with the launch of its leading vodka premix, SMIRNOFF® ICE. To be available for the first time in India, this all new premixed format with its bold flavor and refreshing taste aims to become the preferred consumer choice as the first drink of the night. It brings forth the brands proposition of ‘Start the night, break some ICE !’, thereby aiming to own the pre-partying space.

SMIRNOFF® ICE Black and SMIRNOFF® ICE Original is priced at Rs 80  and Rs 75 respectively in Goa.

SMIRNOFF® ICE Black and SMIRNOFF® ICE Original is priced at Rs 110 in Karnataka.

(Excerpt from a press release)

Panjim, Goa

Agave India is proud to announce the Goa launch of its latest game-changing premium brown spirit product – DesmondJi 51% Agave Gold (Oak Finish) – it joins the current set of DesmondJi products available in Goa: three white spirits - 100% Agave, 51% Agave and Pure Cane, two liqueurs based on Nagpur oranges - Blue Curaçao and Orange Liqueur, along with two affordable easy-to-make alcoholic margarita blends - classic Margarita and Blue Margarita.   

DesmondJi has a signature line of products, with the rare distinction of being the first alcohol brand in India to offer premium international spirits, liqueurs and innovative easy-to-use cocktail blends. DesmondJi products are unique in the Indian alcobev space because they have a ‘proudly Indian’ twist, while adhering to international standards and processes - DesmondJi is ‘home-grown’ in every aspect from raw materials to distilling, to signature bottle design, and labelling. But the taste and quality have an international edge, comparable to a variety of premium imported liquors presently available in India.  

Agave India and its products under the brand name of DesmondJi are the brainchild of Goa-based Desmond Nazareth, who came up with the concept in the year 2000, while searching for affordable options for cocktail aficionados like himself in India. Now getting recognized internationally, DesmondJi ‘India pride’ products have been put through countless rounds of taste tests, all of which they have aced. Give DesmondJi a ‘shot’, to see what thousands of excited customers are raving about. DesmondJi premium spirits, liqueurs and innovative easy-to-use cocktail blends are currently available at major retail stores around Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Goa, Daman and Pondicherry. 

DesmondJi 51% Agave Gold (Oak Finish), is available in Goa for an introductory price of Rs 570 per 750 ml bottle

(Excerpt from a press release)

Mumbai, India

‘India’s finest’ an initiative by the Mumbai wine club aims to acknowledge the best wines from India. With India being the ‘brand new-world’ in wines, it is still experimenting with regions, grapes, styles of production and treatments and evolving every passing year. With more than 80 wineries in the country and no proper wine labeling laws in place; wine selection is a major task for the customer. ‘India’s finest’ will highlight the best across categories making it easier for the consumers whilst helping wineries who are genuinely trying or rather making good wine. 

The Mumbai Wine Club appointed an independent jury to taste over 100 wines over a period of 2 days   and as you read this piece, the jury is judging the red wines from India. The jury consists of eminent personalities from the wine world namely Alok Chandra, Craig Wedge, Prahlad Kakkar, Rojita Tiwari, Sanjay Menon, Sonal Holland, Shatbhi Basu, Subhash Arora and Vishal Kadakia.  Rojita Tiwari who is also the curator of this initiative said, “This is to acknowledge the spirit of wine making. We have a handful of companies making great quality wines. We also have a number of wines which have won medals, awards and accolades in various international platforms. It is high time that we prepare our own dream list which every wine company would aspire to find a place in. As this list will be updated every year, it will offer a chance to newer and greater number of participations year after year.”

Grover Zampa, Fratelli, Sula, Reveilo, York, Myra, Four Seasons, Vallone, Nine Hills, Charosa, Chandon, Alpine, Big Banyan, Krsma estates and SDU wineries featured in the list of wines that are in the tastings. The results we hear would be out in a week’s time, We will keep you updated.

Look forward to new beginnings in the Indian wine scene. Cheers!

 

Bengaluru, India
Heineken®, the world’s No.1 international premium beer announced the launch of the STAR CANin India, coinciding with the global roll-out of the newmodern and progressive STAR CAN design which conveys sophisticated simplicity. In India, Heineken is currently available in 650ml and 330ml bottles and the latest500ml aluminum STAR CAN, which expands the brand offering in India, is expected to attract new consumers and cater to more consumption occasions.  

Commenting on the launch, Samar Singh Sheikhawat - Senior Vice-President, Marketing, United Breweries Limited said, “Heineken STAR CAN will be launched in a phased manner, beginning with Daman, Goa, Delhi, Pondicherry & Bangalore, followed by other key consumption markets like Mumbai, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Haryana, UP and Punjab. Cans will help increase the sales of Heineken and we expect the overall brand to grow organically by over 50% this year. We hope to extend the drinking experience to more drinking occasions and reach out to new consumers.” 

Heineken has been targeting the globe-trotting, James Bond-inspired demographic through its various initiatives and the new can plays into the image.  The Heineken Star Can will be available in the 500ml size and will be priced at Rs120/- in Maharashtra & Bangalore. The can is priced at Rs 100/- and Rs 70/- in Delhi & Goa respectively. 

Commenting on the STAR CAN, Mark van Iterson, Manager - Heineken® Global Design & Concept said, “The packaging design of Heineken® must always stay true to its core values, it must be progressive and iconic and it must be clearly recognizable on the retailers’ shelf. The visibility of the aluminum on the STAR CAN creates a fresh, masculine look with an open character. Bare aluminum looks very fresh and thirst-quenching when you take the can out of the fridge. The red star is one of our most important visual symbols and has always been part of the brand identity. We’ve made it larger and more visible so it really stands out to consumers.”
(Excerpt from a Press Release)

 

Mumbai, India
Ashwin Deo, the founder of Trinity Vintners Pvt Ltd presents Turning Point Sangrias, a unique new innovation in keeping with the overall brand promise of making wines “Young, Approachable and Fun”. This range of Ready to Drink Sangrias comes after over 3 years of extensive and continuous research on various flavours. Turning Point ready to drink Sangrias come in two variants – METROPOLITAN (cranberry & orange) and NASHIK MULE (orange and ginger ale).

The Sangrias come in a never seen before and immensely attractive 330ML pack, designed with the utmost convenience of the consumers in mind. The MRP of these Sangrias is Rs.135/- only and is in the direct consideration set of PREMIUM beers and breezers.  “Sangria has, over the last few years become the largest selling cocktail in the country with all the leading hotels and bars serving them by pitchers! It is this trend that has been captured in a 330ML bottle by Turning Point Wines!! “, says Ashwin Deo.  The Sangria can be enjoyed either straight from the bottle or simply by chopping some fruits into a glass, and pouring the Sangria in, with some ice…..and its serve!! It is that easy, simple and convenient!!

“India is a vibrant market with one of the youngest populations in the world. The Indian consumer is increasingly enjoying a globe-trotting lifestyle whilst taking pride in all that is Indian, with high awareness levels about lifestyle beverages”, adds Ashwin. Sangria can be enjoyed at a Sun downer, Over Brunch, With Dinner or even over a casual Catch Up after work, with colleagues & friends. Turning Point Sangrias have been launched initially in Maharashtra at leading retail stores, restaurants, lounge bars and night clubs, and will soon be taken to other states
(Excerpt from a press release)