Fortified wine designed to be a mixer launched

A new 36% proof (18% ABV) fortified red wine has been launched  that is made to be mixed like a spirit.

Steven Grasse who masterminded the launch of Hendrick’s Gin and Sailor Jerry Rum is behind the launch of Spodee, a wine fortified with high proof moonshine, that you mix into cocktails, like a spirit.

It has been launched in the US in June.

“Spodee is something I discovered while doing historical research for a new spirit I was pursuing. I became intrigued because I thought I knew everything there was to know about Depression Era beverages,” said Grasse.

“I’ve created a wine that mixes like a spirit!

“Spodee really goes great with everything I’ve mixed with it so far”, says Grasse. “From simple highballs like Spodee and Coke and Spodee and OJ. Or even Spodee and Tonic.”

He hopes it will bring a bit of excitement to the “staid” wine category as it mixes well with pretty much everything.

The inspiration for Spodee is Depression-era hooch, which was made from cheap country wine flavoured with whatever was close to hand – garden herbs, fruits, berries – and pepped up with moonshine.

Produced and bottled at America oldest winery, Brotherhood, Spodee will be available in stores from this summer for US$8.99 per 500ml bottle.

This continues a growing trend of wine cocktails as Jacob’s Creek recently created a range of tennis-themed wine cocktail recipes to tie in with Wimbledon 2012.

Most fans of red wine mixed with cola know it by its Spanish name calimocho.