Milestone Beverages adds El Bandarra to portfolio

Milestone Beverages is adding Barcelona-based apéritif brand El Bandarra to its portfolio this summer.

Crafted with quality local wines and Mediterranean botanicals, El Bandarra is the brainchild of brothers Alex and Albert Virgili who created the drink at their third generation family-owned winery located just outside Barcelona.

The aperitif, upholding the philosophy of “sunny afternoon among friends, hustle and bustle and good vibes”, comes in four varieties: Rojo, Blanco & Rosé vermouths and its latest proposition, Al Fresco Aperitif.

Rojo is created with the indigenous grape varieties – Xarel·lo and Macabeu – which are then macerated with 50 herb extracts such as clove, cinnamon and bitter orange. After fortifying the wine, it is given a touch of caramel and balanced in Solera oak barrels for two months.

Blanco is a blend of white Grenache and Xarel·lo macerated with more than 40 herb extracts with vanilla, wormwood and clove. It is given a sweet touch with must nectar and then it is balanced in a tank for two months.

Rosé is the lightest vermouth made of Rosé Grenache and macerated with red fruit and fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary with 30% less sugar.

Al Fresco Aperitif is made of Rosé Grenache macerated with Mediterranean botanicals and a vivid touch of grapefruit, natural and refreshing.

The light range of aperitifs carries 15% ABV, aligning well to the current consumer trend opting for lowe alcohol alternatives.

Consumers are recommended to add various mixers and garnishes to top the drink up according to their preference.

Fun and youthful, the packaging is a nostalgic nod to Spain’s past, when bartenders used to paint the names of their tapas on the windows of their bars, using different colored letters painted by hand to catch the attention of passers-by.

Joe Milner, managing director of Milestone Beverages, said: “We are delighted to be bringing on board this authentic, high quality, family-run brand, which fits perfectly into our portfolio of customer-centric wine and spirit brands, sourced from some of the most prominent regions and suppliers across the globe.”

Alex Virgili, founder of El Bandarra said: “After our successful landing in the UK, we are very excited about joining the Milestone Beverages portfolio, taking El Bandarra to the next stage and delivering the good times of the light Barcelona aperitif to the whole Asia Pacific region. Come and join the party!”