New product launches at LIWSF

A thorough cross-examination of some of the many new launches on trial at the London show:  Kendermanns Dornfelder, Slowine, Robert Mondavi Woodbridge Rosé, Nepenthe Quest … and many more

Product name: Anakena ONA (Stand F22)
Contact details: Stratford’s Wine Agencies, Tel: +44 (0) 162 881 0606
A new experimental blend is being added to Anakena’s ONA range of premium Chilean wines. The unusual blend of Pinot Noir, Syrah, Merlot and Viognier (RRP £8.99) will join the innovative ONA range, which was launched last year. The range reflects Cachapoal-based Anakena’s commitment to developing Chile’s premium offering. ONA is the creative project of chief winemaker Gonzalo Pérez and consists of other individual products. Head to Stand F22 to see the new blend, as well as new vintages from the rest of the ONA range. The stand will also feature wines from Anakena’s Varietal, Reserve and Single Vineyard ranges.

Product name: Palo Alto (Stand T50)
Contact details: Concha y Toro, Tel: +44 (0) 186 533 8013
If you visit Concha y Toro’s stand, you will enjoy the first trade tasting of new Palo Alto. Produced and distributed by Concha y Toro, Palo Alto will essentially be a stand-alone brand, a Chilean wine that challenges assumptions. The concept is described as “a radical departure from the New World order”. Only one wine will be made at the Palo Alto winery: a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère and Syrah (RRP £6.99). The grape varieties will not feature on the front label, where the emphasis will be primarily on the brand name. The wine is made in the Maule Valley by Concha y Toro winemaker Héctor Urzúa.

Product name: Tempus Two (Stand F10)
Contact details: McGuigan Simeon, Tel: +44 (0) 7973 618782
The all-female winemaking team at Tempus Two has added a Copper range to its existing Pewter range in time for this year’s fair. Lisa McGuigan, the fourth generation of the Australian winemaking family, has created these wines (RRP £7.99), targeted at multiple grocers and multiple specialists. The range features a Wilde Chardonnay 2005 and a Cabernet/Merlot 2004. The McGuigan stand will also showcase new vintage releases from the Tempus Two Pewter range. These wines, including a Pinot Gris 2005 and a Sangiovese 2005 (both retailing at £14.99), are sourced from vineyards throughout New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

Product name: Alcance (Sunborn Yacht Hotel)
Contact details: Peter Ferguson, Jackson Wine Estates International, Tel: +44 (0) 199 2537 592
New from Jackson Wine Estates this year is the Alcance range, from Viña Calina in Chile. These wines are produced in the Maule Valley from grapes grown along Chile’s extensive Pacific Ocean coast. Jackson Wine Estates will be hosting a lounge aboard the Sunborn Yacht Hotel, which is docked directly behind ExCel. Calina’s winemaker Felipe García will be present for tastings every day of the fair aboard the yacht. The Alcance range consists of a Merlot, a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Carmenère, all 2004 vintage and all retailing at £11.99.

Product name: McGuigan Gold Reserve (Stand F10)
Contact details: McGuigan Simeon, Tel: +44 (0) 7973 618782
This year McGuigan will have a stand at the fair for the first time, and the company will celebrate with the launch of its Gold Reserve 2005 range. This range is an addition to the McGuigan Gold portfolio, developed for the multiple-grocer sector. Launched in 2003, the packaging for the entire range has also been redesigned for 2006. The Gold Reserve range will consist of a Sauvignon Blanc and a Shiraz (RRP £7.99), and is intended as a demonstration of McGuigan’s commitment to regionality in South and Southeastern Australia.

Product name: Blason de Bourgogne Crémant Rosé (Stand S30)
Contact details: HwCg Tel: +44 (0) 1279 873 500
The newly launched Crémant Rosé is part of the full range of Blason de Bourgogne wines that will be available to taste at stand S30 at this year’s fair. In Waitrose from June this year, the Crémant (RRP £8.99) is the first Blason rosé to be listed with a major retailer. Produced at Cave de Bailly, it is a blend of 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Gamay. The HwCg stand will also feature new vintages of some of the best-selling wines in the range, such as Blason de Bourgogne St-Véran and Montagny.

Product name: La Palma Reserve (Stand S30)

Contact details: Viña La Rosa, Tel:  +56 (0) 2670 0600
A new addition to Viña La Rosa’s off-trade range, La Palma Reserve will be launched at the fair at HwCg’s stand S30. In sophisticated packaging, the range is set to retail at £5.49–£5.99 and will consist of a Chardonnay, a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Merlot, all from the 2005 vintage. The entire Viña La Rosa portfolio will be on show, including new vintages from its various ranges – La Palma (RRP £4.99), La Capitana (RRP £6.99) and Don Reca (RRP £9.99), all for the off-trade – as well as from its on-trade/independent range, Cornellana. The standard La Palma range has new labelling for the UK and the 2006 vintage will be available to taste at the fair.

Product name: Dourthe (Stand H50/3)
Contact details: Sarah Chadwick, Dourthe (UK) Ltd., Tel: +44 (0) 20 7720 6611
Best known as a Bordeaux producer and négociant, Dourthe will unveil a new release at its stand this year: the new vintage from producer Clos de los Siete in Argentina (RRP £10.99). The 2005 vintage will be the fourth from Michel Rolland’s high-altitude vineyard in the Andes. There will be much more to see at stand H50/3 in the French Pavilion, however. The 2005 vintage of Dourthe No.1 White will be launched at the fair, along with new vintages from Dourthe Barrel Select St-Emilion and Barrel Select Médoc. Stop by to taste new releases from Languedoc estate Château de Sérame, including new Domaine de Sérame Réserve single varietals. Dourthe’s proposition is to provide dynamic production methods and quality-driven viticultural practices, together with strong brand-building.

Product name: Arrowfield Estate (Stand F10)
Contact details: Vinoceros, Tel: +44 (0) 1209 314711
The addition of Arrowfield Estate to Vinoceros’s portfolio consists of a number of ranges targeted at various sectors, from retailers to wholesalers, as well as the on-trade. The estate has a history going back nearly 200 years and is located in Australia’s Upper Hunter Valley. By working with various growers in the country, Arrowfield is able to produce a broad range of wines. The following ranges will be presented at the fair: Bowman’s Crossing (RRP £4.99), Fat Tree (RRP £5.49), Sophie’s Bridge (RRP £6.99), Arrowfield The Authors (RRP £7.99) and Arrowfield Show Reserve (RRP £9.99).

Product name: Borobo (Stand S40/S50)
Contact details: Casa Lapostolle, Tel: +56 (0) 2426 9960
If you combine the initial sounds of the famous French wine regions Bordeaux, Rhône and Burgundy (Bourgogne), it results in the word Borobo. A blend of grape types originating in the aforementioned famous regions, but now also grown in Chilean vineyards, results in a wine of the same name. This premium wine is made up of five different varietals from three single-vineyard sites in Chile, all from the 2002 vintage. Alexandra Marnier-Lapostolle, president of premium wine producer Casa Lapostolle, will launch Borobo at the fair. It will be available in limited quantities at an RRP of £45. The latest vintages from Clos Apalta, Cuvée Alexandre, Tanao and the Classic Range will also be showcased at Casa Lapostolle, which you’ll be able to find at the Wines of Chile Stand.

Product name: Jackson Estate Grey Ghost Sauvignon Blanc 2005 and Pinot Noir Rosé 2005 (Stand H20)
Contact details: Tel:  +64 (0) 3579 5523
At the New Zealand stand Marlborough producer Jackson Estate will be unveiling two new additions to its portfolio. The first is the Grey Ghost Sauvignon Blanc, which will retail at £14.99 and is pitched as an expression of the best of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Also new to the portfolio is the Pinot Noir Rosé (RRP £9.99), produced from fruit from the Jackson Estate Homestead vineyard. Both wines are from the 2005 vintage. Jackson Estate’s founder and managing director, John Stichbury, will be at the stand throughout the fair. 

Product name: Kono (Stand H20)
Contact details: Andy Lewis, andy@tohu-europe.com, Tohu Wines, Tel: +44 (0) 870 766 7606
For a taste of Maori wine, visit Tohu Wines at the New Zealand stand, where the company
will be launching its new Kono range, consisting of a Sauvignon Blanc and an unoaked Chardonnay from Marlborough, both with an RRP of £6.99. Late spring will see a further addition to the range in the form of a Gisbourne Merlot (RRP £7.49). Kono (which is the Maori word for a traditional woven food basket) has labels that emphasise this ethnicity. Kono wines are part of a range that also includes seafood and a selection of fruit produce.

Product name: Rocco Bay (Stand F10)
Contact details: Vinoceros, Tel: +44 (0) 1209 314711
South Africa’s Rocco Bay will be launching a new blend with a new look – a wine from the Bottelary Winery in Paarl. The modern, everyday wine is called Rocco Bay Soft Smooth Red (or SSR for short). Rocco Bay set out to produce an approachable, fruit-forward wine, and extensive focus-group research has resulted in SSR. This wine is evidence of the company’s belief in putting the consumer first, as well as striking a balance between branding and wine style. A Soft Smooth White and a Soft Smooth Pink are planned for release shortly after SSR – it’s possible there may be some advance samples to try at the Vinoceros stand.

Product name: Wakatsuru Shoroku (Stand F10)
Contact details: Vinoceros, Tel: +44 (0) 1209 314711
You’ll find something different at the Vinoceros stand this year. A recent investment deal with Japanese company GRN has resulted in a number of new products in the company’s portfolio, some more unusual than others. This means that, in addition to a number of wines on the stand, visitors can also taste Wakatsuru Shoroku saké. Created by Hiroshi Yoneyama, a well-known saké producer, it is made from white rice and water from the Shokawa River. Apparently, it is the equivalent of a special cuvée. Incidentally, Wakatsuru means “young stork”.

Product name: Tapanappa 2004 (Stand G72)
Contact details: Mentzendorff Tel: +44 (0) 207 840 3600
The new vintage of Tapanappa, named after an area of South Australia, will be presented at the fair by winemaker Brian Croser. The wine is from the unique Whalebone Vineyard in Wrattonbully. The 30-year-old vineyard is located directly above a cave complex that was formed when a beached whale was buried by sand 800,000 years ago and then preserved in limestone. As the limestone eroded, caves formed, exposing the 800,000-year-old whale bones. The 2004 is the second vintage of this single-vineyard range.

Product name: The Fladgate Partnership Ports (Stand G72)
Contact details: Mentzendorff, Tel: +44 (0) 207 840 3600
A range of new Ports from The Fladgate Partnership will be on show at Mentzendorff’s stand this year. Fonseca has replaced its Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) with a new unfiltered LBV (rrp £11), as well as introducing the Fonseca Terra Prima Organic Reserve (£11). This is the first fully certified organic Port to be produced in the Douro. Delaforce will be presenting its new range of colheitas this year, consisting of a 1988 (RRP £17), 1979 (RRP £30) and 1964 (RRP £55). Premium Port brand Taylor’s will be presenting, in addition to its existing lines, a new 2001 vintage of Late Bottled Vintage Port. Croft will also be exhibiting the new vintage of its Late Bottled Vintage range.

Product name: L’Olivier de la Reze AOC Minervois (Stand R55)
Contact details: Free Run Wines, Tel: +44 (0) 1672 540990
Free Run Wines will be launching L’Olivier de la Reze AOC Minervois, a wine made from organically grown grapes in southern France. The wine has an rrp of £4.99, and will feature labels and a carton made from recycled paper. For every bottle sold, Free Run Wines will make a donation to the Tropical Forest Trust, a group with the goal of transforming the international trade in tropical timber. The intention, according to Free Run Wines, is also to assist in the marketing and product awareness of French wines.

Product name: Santa Julia Extra Brut 2005 (Stand P20/30)
Contact details: Familia Zuccardi, Tel: +54 (0) 2614 410000
Santa Julia Extra Brut 2005 is the first sparkling wine from Familia Zuccardi. Produced by the Charmat method, this wine was made by Sebastian Zuccardi, son of the company’s president. Hailing from Mendoza in Argentina, Santa Julia has been a successful range, including varietal and reserve wines that will also be on show at this stand in brand-new livery. There will be a number of other interesting launches on show, including the first white fortified wine from Argentina, Malamodo Viognier, as well as new releases from Familia Zuccardi’s experimental projects.

Product name: Vranken Pommery Monopole (Stand D62)
Contact details: Percy Fox & Co, Tel: +44 (0) 1279 756200
One of the highlights of the Percy Fox & Co. stand this year will be the final cuvée in Pommery’s seasonal range. Falltime is an extra dry blanc de blancs NV, with an autumnal feel to go with the Summertime, Wintertime and Springtime cuvées in the range. Pommery’s Elixir, a sweeter-style sec wine, will also be at the stand. It is available only in limited markets around the world, and was recently introduced to the UK for the prestige on-trade market. Heidsieck & Co. Monopole’s full range will be available to taste, along with the new 2000 vintage of the Gold Top and the latest addition Green Top Demi-Sec NV. The group has also added a prestige tier to its portfolio in the form of Diamant, made only from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Vranken Pommery Monopole is the second-largest Champagne house, so expect a number of other ranges at the stand. Also at the Percy Fox & Co. stand will be a trio of Ports from Rozès called the Colour Collection.

Product name: Cavit (Stand C32)
Contact details: Meridian Wines, Tel: +44 (0) 161 9081300
Cavit is launching its first prosecco at the LIWSF this year. Lunetta Prosecco VSAQ NV is produced from grapes grown in the Veneto region in Italy and is aimed at European markets. A Pinot Grigio Blush 2005 is being added to the Sanvigilio range and will be specifically marketed to the independent trade. This new blush wine is intended to address the high demand in the UK for rosé and blush wines. Also available to taste at Cavit’s stand will be the 2005 vintage of Bottega Vinai Trentino DOC Pinot Grigio, a wine that will be available exclusively in the on-trade.

Product name: The Cloof Cellar Blend (Stand L40/L50)
Contact details: Cloof, Tel: +27 (0) 22 4922839
Featuring a wine described as “the Quentin Tarantino remake of Sideways”, premium producer Cloof’s stand in the Wine of South Africa pavilion will be worth a visit. Its Cellar Blend 2004 (RRP £9.99) is also described as “outrageously concentrated” and is apparently made from “bits and pieces of press wine randomly collected by our cellar hands”. It is a “mêlée of Pinotage, Tinta Barroca, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc”. Cloof, which recently established a UK office, has a core range of 10 wines, all available at the fair.

Product name: First Pick Shiraz Rosé and Snappygum (Stand F60)
Contact details: Pamela Dunn, PLB, Tel: +44 (0) 1342 318282
Among the myriad new releases on PLB’s stand this year, Australian First Pick Shiraz Rosé is particularly noteworthy. Created specifically for the restaurant and bar trade, it gets its name from the fact that conditions at Tandou’s vineyards result in the fruit ripening noticeably early. Also from Tandou is another new range from PLB called Snappygum. Named after Australia’s indigenous eucalyptus tree, this range is targeted at the UK off-trade. Visit PLB’s stand for a number of other new wines from countries such as Chile, Sicily and South Africa. Also stop by to catch sight of the Sutter Home range, which has undergone a makeover for this year’s wine fair. The Varietal Range – all 10 of which will be available to taste (RRP £4.99) – has eye-catching split-level labels. And don’t forget PLB’s fine wine division Lane & Tatham (Stand C10), which will be focusing on its extensive French and Italian fine wine offerings.

Product name: Lauca/Lauquita (Stand I20)

Contact details: Belinda Stone, HBJ Wines, Tel: +44 (0) 20 7922 1610
Lauca is one of two new Chilean wine brands that will be on show at the bigger HBJ stand this year. Accompanied by entry-level brand Lauquita (rrp £4.99), the range is marketed at both the on-trade and off-trade. The whole range comprises four tiers, with the Lauca Varietals retailing at £5.99, Reserva at £6.99 and two Gran Reserva wines retailing at £12.99. Among other new releases at HBJ’s stand is Sticks, a new label from the Australian Yarra Ridge winery, as well as Mount Rozier, a South African brand consisting of three ranges.

Product name: Viña Chilcaya (Stand T30)
Contact details: Ernest & Julio Gallo, Tel: +44 (0) 1895 813555
Ernest & Julio Gallo’s stand will feature a new Chilean range this year. Viña Chilcaya has been produced with Viña Bisquertt Family Vineyards, located in the Valle de Colchagua region. E&J Gallo hopes to use its expertise in strong branding to help boost the Chilean category, driving value and volume. A major part of this approach is a consumer focus, a strategy that has worked well in the past for the company’s core range as well as for its growing portfolio of Old and New World wines. The Viña Chilcaya range comprises three key tiers – the Varietal with an rrp of £5.49, the Reserva at £6.99 and a Reserva Especial (with a launch planned for later in the year) at £9.99. The wines have been crafted by Viña Chilcaya’s winemakers to appeal to the UK market.

Product name: Les Climats (Stand S60)

Contact details: Hatch Mansfield Ltd, Tel: +44 (0) 1344 871800
Maison Louis Jadot has developed an offering for those looking to trade up from generic Bourgogne Rouge. Les Climats (rrp £18) is the equivalent of a New World Reserve Pinot Noir. This first incarnation is a blend of premier cru and village Pinot Noir wines from the Côte d’Or region, selected by winemaker Jacques Lardière. He will select different vineyards every year, the intention being to “capture the essence of Pinot Noir”. In other words, the vineyards will change but the style will be consistent. The wine has a very different label from other Louis Jadot wines.

Product name: Cloudy Bay (Stand G32)

Contact details: Moët Hennessy UK Ltd, Tel: +44 (0) 20 7235 9411
Cloudy Bay will be showcasing three new vintages at the Moët Hennessy stand this year. After significant research and investment, two of these – the Pinot Noir 2004 (RRP £16.99) and Chardonnay 2004 (RRP £15.99) – will now feature screwcap closures. The Cloudy Bay Te Koko (with a new 2003 vintage this year, retailing at £18.49) will follow in screwcap for the 2004 vintage next year. Located in the heart of New Zealand’s Marlborough wine region, the winery gets its name from the bay at the eastern end of the Wairau Valley. Te Koko, the name of the winery’s alternative style of Sauvignon Blanc, is derived from the original Maori name for the bay. Cloudy Bay wines are made using a “hands-off” philosophy.

Product name: Pirie Wines (Stand F22)
Contact details: Stratford’s Wine Agencies, Tel: +44 (0) 1628 810606
For a taste of Tasmania, visit Stratford’s Wine Agencies’ double-decker stand to see a new addition to the company’s portfolio. Influential Tasmanian wine figure Dr Andrew Pirie has produced two new brands in the Tamar Valley using only fruit from vineyards that he has complete control over. The Pirie South range will include a Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and will have an rrp of £8.99. The Pirie Estate range includes a Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Noir (rrp £10.99–£12.99). The wines will benefit from Pirie’s experience in France, where he studied winemaking techniques specific to cool climates.

Product name: Cape First Vineyards (Stand F22)

Contact details: Stratford’s Wine Agencies, Tel: +44 (0) 1628 810606
Cape First Vineyards is a diverse producer making high-volume wines for multiple retailers, but also reserve and limited-availability labels suited for more boutique retailers. Cape First consists of two labels, Makana and Hill Station, both offering entry-level wines (RRP £4.49–£5.49), as well as reserve varietals (£7.99–£10.99). Makana, in addition to the reserve range, also features the more premium Makana Boutique. Cape First has just joined Stratford’s Wine Agencies’ already-significant South African portfolio. Based in Stellenbosch, Cape First’s head winemaker, Christo Versfeld, has been developing the range for a few years, making use of his experience both in France and South Africa.

Product name: Terra Vecchia (Stand Q20)
Contact details: Thierry’s, Tel: +44 (0) 1794 507100
Terra Vecchia is a new range of Corsican wines from Skalli Family Wines comprising two tiers. The entry-level Terra
Vecchia is targeted at Skalli’s European customers. The reserve range, however, has been developed with “the more demanding UK consumer in mind”, and specifically for the off-trade. Each of the two reserve wines (rrp £4.99) blends a common varietal with a traditional Corsican grape. Skalli Family Wines now owns vineyards in Languedoc and Napa in California, as well as in Corsica. The company is responsible for Rhône brand Caves Saint-Pierre, which has been successful all over Europe, particularly in the UK. Thierry’s Wine Services represents both of these brands in the UK. Both Terra Vecchia’s wine and packaging are the result of collaboration between Skalli Family Wines, Caves Saint-Pierre and Thierry’s.

Product name: Cape Grace Diversity (Stand Q20)
Contact details: Thierry’s, Tel: +44 (0) 1794 507100
Cape Grace is set to launch two premium wines, a red and a white, at this year’s fair. Cape Grace Diversity is intended to be a celebration of South Africa’s wealth of culture, fauna and flora. The two wines are unique blends with five different grape varieties in the red and four varieties in the white. The grapes are grown in locations suitable for each variety, in the three districts of Worcester, Paarl and Stellenbosch, which results in
the name Triple Reserve on the label. These wines are intended to drive above-£5 sales of South African wine. A listing has already been obtained with Thresher, with an rrp of £6.99.

Product name: Les Folies de la Marquetterie (Stand S60)
Contact details: Hatch Mansfield Ltd., Tel: +44 (0) 1344 871800
Les Folies de la Marquetterie is Champagne Taittinger’s first single-vineyard Champagne. This NV cuvée, with an rrp of £37.50, is being launched at the fair at the Hatch Mansfield stand. The Les Folies vineyard was named when the first vines were planted in the same location in 1734. The name, given by local villagers at the time, was a comment on the wisdom of planting vines on such a steep gradient. The rest of this Champagne’s name comes from the Château de la Marquetterie, Taittinger’s impressive adjacent property. This cuvée is produced with fruit exclusively from this vineyard, which is planted with alternate rows of black and white grapes. A number of new vintages will also be on show at this stand.

Product name: Lourensford Estate (Stand S60)

Contact details: Hatch Mansfield Ltd., Tel: +44 (0) 1344 871800
Lourensford Estate is a premium wine estate in Somerset West, South Africa, that has recently partnered Hatch Mansfield with the aim of building the market for high-quality, family-owned wines. Visitors to the stand will be able to
taste all three wine ranges: Lourensford Eden Crest from £5.99, Lourensford Five Heirs from £6.99 and Lourensford Estate wines from £7.99, as well as the flagship Lourensford Seventeen Hundred at £14.99. The estate, founded in 1700, was bought by Dr Christo Wiese in 1998. It is now one of the largest privately owned facilities in the country.

Product name: Kendermanns Dornfelder (Stand L70)
Contact details: Reh Kendermann (UK) Ltd., Tel: +44 (0) 1295 261144
An interesting addition to the Kendermanns range makes its debut at the fair this year. A German red varietal, Kendermanns Dornfelder already has a listing in the UK off-trade and is set to retail at £4.49. This launch follows the successful addition of a Sauvignon Blanc to the Kendermanns range and repackaging using long screwcaps last year. This new wine, which is made from the native German Dornfelder grape, is targeted at both brand loyalists and new consumers. The Dornfelder is only one of a number of new releases which will be on show at the Reh Kendermann stand this year. For example, a new Sauvignon Blanc Feteasca Regala 2005 (£4.49) joins the Val Duna range from the Carl Reh winery in Romania.

Product name: Slowine (Stand I19)

Contact details: Seckford Agencies, Tel: +44 (0) 1206 231686
In the midst of the bustling fair, the principles behind Slowine, simply represented
by the tortoise on the label, are likely to be particularly appealing. This concept goes beyond the wine, suggesting a “way of living life” and reminding consumers that “time becomes precious when life rushes by – and this wine is an invitation to stop and take some time out”. The new range, from Paul Cluver Wines, includes a Chenin/Sauvignon, a Pinot Noir rosé, a Merlot and a Cabernet Sauvignon, with an RRP between £6.99 and £7.99. These wines will join the rest of the Paul Cluver range, as well as a number of other new releases from a variety of producers at the Seckford Agencies stand.

Product name: Robert Mondavi Woodbridge Rosé (Stand F40)
Contact details: Cellar Door, Tel: +44 (0) 1483 690088
After last year’s new additions, the Robert Mondavi Woodbridge range continues to expand. The latest product is a rosé, specifically crafted by Woodbridge winemaker Todd Zieman to appeal to the tastes of European consumers. The launch is a direct response to the huge growth in rosé wine sales that has occurred in the UK over the last two years. The wine will retail for £6.49 and, like the rest of the Woodbridge range, will feature a screwcap closure. The Cellar Door stand will also feature the relaunch of three-tiered off-trade range Tintara, which has undergone both packaging and blend changes. With ambitious plans for the future, the Australian brand will be available for tasting at the stand.

Product name: Nepenthe Quest (Stand F52)

Contact details: Enotria Winecellars Ltd., Tel: +44 (0) 20 8961 4411
Quest represents Nepenthe’s debut in the on-trade – a path the brand is embarking
on while continuing to expand its off-trade presence. The range will focus on Australian regionality, building on the success of its cool-climate Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. This is a time of big changes for Nepenthe since Enotria has just been appointed as its sole UK distributor. Nepenthe is just one addition to Enotria’s New World portfolio, with Chilean Viña Intriga also joining the company’s ranks. On the Old World front, Feudi di San Gregorio will be bringing its southern Italian wines to the Enotria stand for the first time this year.

Product name: Gran Campo Viejo Cava Rosé (Stand D50)
Contact details: Pernod Ricard, Tel: +44 (0) 20 8538 4484
Following its most recent launch in the sparkling rosé category with Jacob’s Creek, Pernod Ricard is planning to introduce another product in this booming field, just in time for the fair. The new Gran Campo Viejo Cava Rosé will retail for £6.99 and is targeted at wholesalers and multiple retailers, as well as the on-trade. This rosé cava is positioned to exploit the strength of the Campo Viejo brand name to add value to this steadily increasing category. And just in time for summer, too. The two-tier Pernod Ricard stand will also play host to a few anniversaries this year. Montana’s first commercial plantings of Sauvignon Blanc in Marlborough took place 30 years ago, and the company is celebrating with a new look for the brand. The extensive Jacob’s Creek range is also turning 30 and will celebrate with new positioning and marketing, as well as a showcase of the Heritage range, which honours the brand’s history.

Product name: Haselgrove Cellar 150 (Stand M10)

Contact details: D&D Wines International Ltd., Tel: +44 (0) 1565 650952
Cellar 150 is a new label from premium and super-premium producer Haselgrove. The range consists of two Viognier blends, with all the grapes sourced from top South Australian vineyards. Both the Chardonnay Viognier and the Shiraz Viognier have an RRP of £6.99. Named after Haselgrove winery’s address in McLaren Vale, Cellar 150 was originally the name of a range that was exclusive to Haselgrove’s cellar-door customers. There is a number of other new products being showcased at D&D Wines’ stand, such as the premium extension to African Pride Wines’ Footprint range. Also look out for four new wines from Chilean producer Viña Luis Felipe Edwards, as well as a JME Rosado from Bodegas Muriel in Spain.

Product name: Lost Block (Stand F30)
Contact details: Paragon Vintners, Tel: +44 (0) 20 7887 1800
The Lost Block range of premium wines is new from family-owned Australian winemakers Tyrrell’s. The range is made up of a Semillon, an unwooded Chardonnay, a Merlot and a Cabernet Sauvignon. All have an RRP of £7.99 and are deliberately fruit-laden and easy to drink. The idea and the name for these wines go back to just before the1993 harvest, when an impending storm forced vineyard workers to hurriedly pick the fruit that was unlikely to survive the heavy weather. A few weeks later, a very ripe, “lost block” of Semillon grapes was discovered, unpicked. Chris Tyrrell will be at the fair to launch the new range. At only 23 years of age, Tyrrell has been involved in five vintages, taking part in both the winemaking and the marketing side of operations.

Product name: Nugan Estate (Stand D10)
Contact details: Myliko Wines, Tel: +44 (0) 161 736 9500
Nugan Estate is an Australian premium-wine producer, with a significant amount of vineyards growing grapes to make wines that faithfully represent eastern and southeastern Australia’s wine styles. The estate produces two main wine labels, Nugan Estate and Cookoothama, as well as entry-level Wally’s Hut. The range is intended to provide retailers with a choice of wines from below £4.50 to over £6. Nugan Estate is new to Myliko’s portfolio, as is Cavipor Vinhos de Portugal, from the Vinhos Verdes region. A selection of wines from these labels, and many more, will be available to taste at Myliko Wines’ stand.

Product name: Laubade Armagnac (Stand H40/2)
Contact details: Berkmann Wine Cellars, Tel: +44 (0) 20 7609 4711
The packaging for Laubade’s range of Armagnacs has received a serious redesign, with Château de Laubade working closely with an agency in Paris to address a new generation of Armagnac consumers in the 30 to 50-year-old age bracket. The company has recognised the importance of retaining the elegance associated with France’s noble brandy, while giving it a “contemporary touch”. Château de Laubade has various types of terroir and four grape varieties on its vast estate, resulting in very complex spirits that are patiently produced. Château de Laubade’s cellars house barrels of Armagnac dating back to 1886. Each vintage Armagnac comes from a single year’s harvest, which gives it its own individual character. The Laubade Bas-Armagnac 1969 has an RRP of £79.99.

Product name: Renaissance (Stand E50)
Contact details: Brand Phoenix, Tel: +44 (0) 1565 621345
Renaissance has had a striking revamp, including a new bottle shape designed to reflect the brand’s positioning between the traditional and the contemporary. A collaboration between Brand Phoenix and Maison Sichel, the entry-level French wine benefits from Sichel’s winemaking history, as well as a modern feel. In addition to the new look, the brand is also launching Renaissance Bordeaux, a more complex, regional addition to the range. Brand Phoenix’s stand will also feature a number of other developments, including a new premium offering from South African wine brand First Cape (for more on this, see this month’s brand-builder on p.112).

Product name: Gorilla (Stand R42)

Contact details: Chris Ellis @ Crush Wines, Tel: +44 (0) 1249 811737
A big Italian brand launch from Picco d’Umbria, the Gorilla range aims to highlight Italy’s regional diversity, as well as its lesser-known varieties. The young, high-tech winery bottles wines from all over Italy, but specialises in both private-label and exclusive brands. Led by English winemaker Tim Manning, the team has created the Gorilla range (RRP £4.99–£6.99) to appeal to the consumer with approachable and affordable wines, while evoking brand loyalty. The Gorilla range consists of a Syrah and a Grillo from Sicily, and a Primitivo from Puglia. A reserve range will also be launched soon. According to Crush Wines’ director Chris Ellis, Gorilla addresses the fact that “consumers are currently not connecting with Italian brands“. This is just one of a number of new products at the Crush Wines stand.

Product name: Blue Nun Pinot Grigio (Stand F20–G20)
Contact details: Ehrmanns, Tel: +44 (0) 20 7418 1800
In response to increasing demand, Blue Nun is adding a Pinot Grigio targeted at 18- to 25-year-old female drinkers (RRP £4.49) to its portfolio of wines. The launch is part of a three-year relaunch strategy, and it marks the most successful decade in the brand’s 85-year history. The new Pinot Grigio, along with the Riesling and the original QbA, hails from the brand’s native Germany. The range also includes a rosé from Spain and a Merlot from France, all with Stelvin closures. The Pinot Grigio, from the Rheinpfalz region, falls under the German category of Qualitätswein.

Product name: Montana (Stand D50)

Contact details: Pernod Ricard, +44 (0) 20 8538 4484
Montana’s first commercial planting of Sauvignon Blanc in Marlborough was 30 years ago, and the company is celebrating with a new look for the brand. The new packaging spans the Classic, Reserve, Terroir and Estate ranges, but still differentiates between them, making the scope of Montana’s offering clear to consumers. The new design aims to reflect the brand’s position as the epitome of the “Kiwi spirit of innovation and excellence”. The mountain image on the label represents the Waitakere Ranges in West Auckland, where the first Montana vineyard was planted – a tribute the brand’s roots.

Product name: Vigne & Vini and Di Giovanna (Stand D12)
Contact details: Great Western Wines, +44 (0) 1225 322800

Benefiting from recent investment into its winery, as well as from having more than 1,000 hectares from which to choose the best grapes, family-run Vigne & Vini is a notable addition to Great Western Wines’ Italian portfolio. Two wines from Vigne & Vini’s Primitivo range will initially be available – Tatu (rrp £6.95) and Papale (rrp £7.95) – with more launches from the producer planned for the future. The winery is based in Puglia, in the south of Italy, an area that Great Western Wines had recognised as a gap in its selection of wines. Another missing area has also been filled. Representing Sicily for Great Western Wines is boutique producer Di Giovanna. These wines are made using organically grown grapes and a combination of traditional and modern methods. There are three IGT Di Giovanna wines being launched, retailing between £6.95 and £8.95.

Product name: Osborne Plural (Stand M10)
Contact details: D&D Wines International Ltd., +44 (0) 1565 650952
Fifty years after the launch of the now-famous black-bull image that started as an advertisement for Osborne Veterano, Osborne has planned a number of premium-wine launches for 2006 and 2007. The first is just in time for the fair. A single-estate wine from the Castilla La Mancha region, Osborne Plural, like the rest of the planned launches, is a product of Osborne’s new state-of-the-art winery in Malpica. Targeted at the specialist trade and with an rrp of £9.99, Plural will be available from Osborne’s new distributor D&D Wines.

Product name: Philip Shaw (Stand F30)
Contact details: Cumulus Wines, +49 6362 30 80 290
This new range represents Philip Shaw’s lifelong ambition to produce his own range of wines from his family vineyard in New South Wales, Australia. The cool-climate varietal wines are all made from grapes grown in Shaw’s Koomooloo vineyard. The range consists of four wines, retailing between £11.99 and £21.99. Shaw has put his vast experience to good use, not only in producing this range, but in overseeing the production of Climbing (rrp £8.99) and Rolling (rrp £6.99) from the Orange and Central ranges respectively. These two high-altitude wines, which will also be available for tasting at the LIWSF, have been produced by winemaker Philip Dowell. Shaw will be at the fair to promote his new range of wines.

db May 2006