Aussie vermouth arrives in UK

A vermouth brand based on Australian wine, herbs and spices has arrived in the UK, adding a New World twist to this growing category.

First launched in its native Australian market back in 2012, the Regal Rogue range combines wine made from Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz with local botanicals such as wattle seed, finger lime and bush lemons.

Now the bianco and rosso expressions have been made available in the UK through a number of venues including the Soho House Group and Granger & Co, as well as all four Selfridges outlets around the country. There are plans to roll out the brand more widely in February 2015.

Introducing his product, founder Mark Ward said: “The bar for a quaffable tipple is set incredibly high in the UK these days and we are seeing a strong resurgence in the appreciation of vermouth as a stand-alone beverage amongst the connoisseurs of the drinks scene.”

According to Ward, “the craft vermouth category has grown by 27% in London in the past 12 months, evolving an already established annual market of 23 million 9-litres cases globally.”

Although this sector continues to be dominated by a handful of large, well-established brands, in common with the ongoing surge in craft spirits, recent years have seen the introduction of a number of new vermouths, some of which are detailed here.

The vermouth revival is also in evidence in various corners of the on-trade, with the appearance of specialist outlets such as Mele e Pere who produce their own home-made expressions.

Regal Rogue is available in 750ml bottles with an RRP of £24.90.