Top launches at ProWein 2015

Ahead of the global wine event in Düsseldorf next week, db has sifted through the various products due to debut at ProWein and selected the top offerings to keep an eye out for.

The time has come when once again the German Rhineland city of Düsseldorf opens its arms to the global drinks trade for an event that organisers call “the most important trade fair of the international wine and spirits sector” – ProWein.

Scheduled to take place on 15-17 March, 2015’s event will witness 300 tastings and lectures on the various themes that dominate the world of wine and spirits.

With such a vast array of producers, manufacturers and distributers making an appearance at the event, we at db have collected the top product launches that will take place at ProWein – so if you’re attending, make sure to get along to these companies’ stands to see for yourself.

Click through for more…

Amorim – Helix stopper

Portuguese cork producer Amorim will be showcasing its new Helix stopper, which features an internal threat that allows wine bottles to be opened without the need for a corkscrew.

Besides the cork providing ease-of-access to the consumer, research carried out by Amorim has shown that the cork used may have distinct benefits for the ageing process of wine.

Among the producers to so-far adopt Helix are Tuscany’s Castellani, which sells its organic wine Toscano Santa Lucia in the US through Trader Joe’s; Alentejo winery Ervideira, which is using the closure for two of its wines; and France’s Val d’Orbieu, which has switched to Helix for its Cuvée Mythique.

Commenting on the progress made so far, Amorim’s marketing director, Carlos de Jesus, said: “Consumer and professional reaction to Helix has surpassed our initial expectations and represents a great basis to continue our work towards sustainable, premium image, wine packaging innovation.”

He continued: “That reaction also implies additional responsibility from our side towards the wine trade – strengthening our commitment towards our clients, and also our client’s clients”.

Bodegas Trapiche – Mar & Pampa 

The Argentinian producer Bodegas Trapiche will be making what it calls one of its “most important launches in several years.”

Mar & Pampa is the name of a brand new range of wines from a brand new winery on the east coast of Argentina. Another “first” that these wines represent is that they are the first range of ocean-climate wines to hail from Argentina.

Commenting on the importance of ProWein for the bodegas, Trapiche’s export director Gustavo Arroyat told db, “There is probably not one reason, but several. Among the most important ones, I’d mention: most of our partners in Europe will be there; a lot of our North American, Latin and even Asian partners will be there as well. So, in a few days, we’d almost circle the world.

“Transportation and logistics (in and out of the fair) work like a clock. I’m not sure why, but it seems that everyone attending the fair gets in ‘German mode’ and the meetings agenda works sharply”.

Fratelli Martini – Canti Prosecco

Italian producer Fratelli Martini will have its Canti sparkling wine brand at the forefront of its stand, with new vintages combined with updated special packaging.

Still aiming to bring the “Italian style and way of life” to the world through the sparkling wine, Fratelli recognises that each market is a single entity and therefore says: “We’re improving specific strategy on each markets since consumers’ tastes and needs are various. In some countries we will focus on events and PR while in others we will push special packaging and sponsorship or digital communication.”

It comes after a time of intense investment by the company. The Fratelli Martini winery and warehouse is currently undergoing a complete overhaul of plant modernisation and enlargement, and Fratelli last year pledged £1.7 million on a UK advertising campaign for Canti, which helped it succeed in becoming one of the country’s leading Prosecco brands.

Giusti – Brut Prosecco

Giusti’s Brut Prosecco, which received the coveted top award of Master at The Drinks Business Prosecco Masters last year, is on the look-out for a suitable importer in the UK and beyond.

Staggering amounts of investment mixed with committed local winemakers is reaping serious rewards for the producer.

Present on not one stand but two this year, Giusti is undoubtedly a name to watch in the world of not just Prosecco, but wine in general.

 Jackson Family Wines – Pre-releases

US-based Jackson Family Wines will be featuring their entire range at ProWein, including new vintages for each label.

Especially for ProWein, the producer will be showcasing a pre-release of its 2012 Lokoya and Cardinale wines – all of which received 96-100 points from Robert Parker.

There will also be a library release of 2005 Verite. These offerings will be presented alongside the new wines in the JFW stable: Capensis from South Africa, and Siduri from Sonoma.

Les Grand Chais de France – first rosés 

At ProWein, producer Les Grand Chais de France will be showing the first vintage of rosé from Chateau de la Tuilerie and its sister Chateau de Fabregues in Costieres de Nimes, which were acquired by the company in 2014.

A distinctive special packaging has been developed to distinguish Chateau de Fabregues, which is being offered exclusively to independent wine merchants in the UK.

In addition to these new projects, GCF will be showing the latest vintages from its properties throughout France, notably from Bordeaux, the Loire and Languedoc Roussillon.

Commenting on ProWein, GCF’s UK director told db, “As a major supplier to Germany, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe ProWein has been an important element of GCF’s activity for many years. For most of this time very few UK customers attended, but about 5 years ago this started to change. Each year more and more UK buyers chose to attend.

“Today ProWein is, along with London, our most important Fair for the UK market. The timing of March is ideal for wines from the Northern hemisphere. We are to able show whites, roses and most reds from the last vintage.”

Viña Maipo – Vitral Syrah

Chilean producer Viña Maipo will be showcasing the latest vintage of its flagship premium Syrah, which leads its top-end Vitral range, at ProWein this year.

While Cabernet Sauvignon is the king of red wines and Carmenère is Chile’s emblematic variety, Viña Maipo wanted to “differentiate itself” and make Syrah the flagship of its premium wine portfolio.

With attractive and innovative packaging, where a colourful Vitral identifies each specific variety, Syrah shows its “nobility and elegance” with a unique black label that will likely catch eyes at the fair.

Fraternity Spirits – Tequila Corralejo Añejo 99,000 and Resposado

Fraternity Spirits will be show-casing its full range of premium spirits including Tequila Corralejo, El Ron Prohibido and Vodka Bokker.

Among this full range, however will be the highlights of new brand extensions Tequila Añejo 99,000 Horas and Tequila Corralejo Resposado.

Visitors are invited to Fraternity’s stand to try “Teq Tropics”, a range of tropical cocktails made with Tequila Corralejo.