Top new product launches

Azur Brut

Green-minded Chilean wine brand Emiliana has launched a sparkly side project from the Limarí Valley. Azur is a traditional method sparkling wine made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grown 30km from the Pacific Ocean in Limarí, which was specifically chosen as a region due to the minerality its limestone-rich clay soils impart in the grapes. The wine takes its name from the striking blue colour of the lapis lazuli stone, which can only be found in the mountains in Limarí and Afghanistan. Keen to capitalise on the global thirst for sparkling wines, Emiliana aims to raise the game of Chilean fizz with Azur and set a new precedent in high-end sparkling wine from the country. According to its makers, the fizz has “lively and persistent fine bubbles” and notes of “white flowers, toasted bread and dried fruits” on the palate.

RRP: tbc
CONTACT: Emiliana, www.emiliana.cl

Seaside Gin

A fan of gin but keen for something a little different? Then Seaside Gin might just be for you. Not for the squeamish, among the botanicals are scurvy grass and seaweed sourced from the Edinburgh coastline, alongside the prettier sounding ground ivy. Seaside Gin was born of a collaboration between Edinburgh Distillery and Heriot-Watt University. Four postgraduate MSc students worked with head distiller David Wilkinson to create the gin, which, according to its makers, has a “slightly sweet, mineral flavour of summer at the beach”, making it an ideal accompaniment to seafood but equally good with tonic or in a martini. An initial run of 1,000 bottles have been distilled. “We wanted to create a unique gin using botanicals from the shores of Edinburgh. We experimented with a lot of different botanicals and we’re really pleased with the result,” said Alex Nicol, managing director of brand owner the Spencerfield Spirit Company.

RRP: £35
CONTACT: Edinburgh Distillery, +44 (0)131 656 2810

Codorníu Anna Blanc de Blancs Reserva

Cava giant Codorníu has launched a high-end sparkler aimed at the on-trade. Described by the house as a “modern and elegant” Cava, the fizz is named after Anna de Codorníu, the 17th century heiress of the Codorníu estate, whose profile appears on the bright white bottle. Made primarily from Chardonnay along with a small amount of Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada, the sparkler is aged for 15 months to give it “extra complexity, elegance and versatility”. According to its makers, the wine has “attractive notes of tropical fruit, citrus, toast and brioche”. In the mouth, it’s “creamy and well rounded with a long finish and fine, elegant bubbles”. The blanc de blancs is designed to be enjoyed with food. “Anna Blanc de Blancs’ refreshing style is perfect for al-fresco dining and the eye-catching bottle has real stand-out, which we hope will attract style conscious consumers,” says Claire Sheppard, Codorníu’s UK national on-trade controller.

CONTACT: Codorníu UK, +44 (0)1892 500 250

Martini Riserva Speciale range

Martini has launched a new Vermouth di Torino line: Martini Riserva Speciale. Forming the range are Rubino and Ambrato expressions created using small parcels of Langhe Nebbiolo and Moscato d’Asti, selected by Martini master blender Beppe Musso for their depth of flavour, alongside Artemisia herbs from Piedmont. Master herbalist Ivan Tonutti selected a blend of three local herbs, including Roman camomile used in the Ambrato. The Langhe Nebbiolo used to create the Rubino is blended with extracts of Italian thistle and red sandalwood from central Africa to create a ruby red vermouth that inspired its name. The Moscato d’Asti used in Ambrato leads to a honeyed vermouth, while the yellow cinchona bark from Ecuador and Chinese rhubarb give a delicate bitter profile. Before bottling, the botanical extracts are rested
in small oak vats for two months to harmonise the flavours.

RRP: tbc
CONTACT: Bacardi UK, www.bacardi.com/uk

Chandon summer edition

Californian fizz Chandon is getting in the mood for summer with the launch of this pretty duo designed by Butterfly Cannon as part of the brand’s summer campaign. The fifth limited edition release for Chandon, this year’s brut design, wrapped in red, white and blue, takes inspiration from the American flag. In keeping with the nautical theme of the campaign, the overlapping stripes “capture the movement of sails in a summer breeze”. Each bottle has a stitched satin label to enhance the sense of layered textures. New for this year is a limited edition rosé, which, according to its makers, captures the “excitement and vibrancy” of the season.

RRP: £16.50
CONTACT: Domaine Chandon, chandon.com

Pimm’s Vodka Cup

Pimm’s Vodka Cup is back by popular demand this summer. The revival of the vodka-based spin-off of the popular Pimm’s brand follows a consumer-led campaign that flooded the Pimm’s team with emails, social media posts and letters calling for the drink’s return. “It’s not often I’m standing in a room of people that would normally fall under the category of customer complaints and saying thank you. But thank you, you might not have woken a sleeping giant but you have definitely woken a sleeping beauty,” said Andrew Cowan, country director of Diageo Great Britain, at the (re)launch party of the summer staple at the City of London Club last month.

RRP: £18
CONTACT: Justerini & Brooks, +44 (0)20 7493 6174

Ruinart Hubert Le Gall limited edition

Art-loving Champagne house Ruinart has released a limited edition gift box designed and signed by French artist and scenographer Hubert Le Gall. The launch coincided with the first showing of Le Gall’s Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Collection at art fair Masterpiece London on 25 June. Inspiration for both the collection and gift box came when walking through the Sillery vineyards in the Montagne de Reims. Le Gall interpreted the effect of the sun’s rays “strengthening the transparency and luminosity of the grapes”.

RRP: £60
CONTACT: Moet Hennessy UK, +44 (0)844 371 5050

Taylor’s 1965 Single Harvest Port

As part of a series of 50-year-old limited editions, Taylor’s has launched a 1965 Single Harvest Port via UK agent Mentzendorff. The rare, cask-aged Port is bottled in a classic frosted bottle and presented in a wooden gift box. Described by Taylor’s as “wonderfully poised and elegant”, the mature Tawny has, according to its makers, “attractive walnut and marzipan nuttiness with notes of fine oak and discreet aromas of marmalade, black pepper and cinnamon”. The house recommends crème brulée or wild strawberries as perfect pairings for the Port, which should be served slightly chilled. “A 50th anniversary is a cause for celebration, which is why we’re releasing these rare wines from our cask-aged reserves,” says Taylor’s managing director Adrian Bridge. “The 1965 offers a unique opportunity to mark this occasion with a 50 year old wine that is still in perfect condition.” The Port will hit the UK in July.

RRP: £150
CONTACT: Mentzendorff, +44 (0)20 7840 3600

Courvoisier new look packaging

Pass the Courvoisier and you might notice something a little different about it. The Cognac brand has been given a shiny new look that borrows from its rich heritage. Taking late 19th century Paris as an inspiration, throughout the redesign are elements of the latticed iron framework of the Eiffel Tower, designed by Gustav Eiffel, which made its debut in 1889. Available from September, the sleek new redesign spans across the entire Courvoisier range. Seeking to stand out as a luxury leader within the Cognac category, the new look uses regal purple and gold within the design to conjure the “elegance and extravagance” of Paris’ Golden Age, when Cognac became popular as a celebratory drink. To distinguish the different expressions, the pattern becomes more intricate as the age of the Cognac increases. “Courvoisier has always been proud of its Parisian heritage. It represents the roots of our brand and defines what makes us unique in the category,” says brand owner Beam Suntory’s director of Cognac, Jeanette Edwards.

CONTACT: Maxxium UK, +44 (0)1786 430 500