32 minute read
Summer wines
Sipping in the sun
Wine goes hand in hand with summer evenings outdoors. With a 27% market share of the alcoholic drinks market, wine remains Ireland’s second-most-popular beverage,* and now that we’ve been blessed with warm weather, wine will be at the top of many consumers’ shopping lists
Now that more people are entertaining from home, wine cocktails have been forecast to make a splash this summer. From spritzers to sparkling drinks, wine cocktails are a lighter alternative to traditional cocktails. Vegan wines are another trend to watch this summer. Animal derived ingredients are used in wine production across the globe. Substituting these for plant-based alternatives opens the category up to those following the diet.
Meanwhile, wine in a can is sure to catch the eye of those looking for a greener, on-the-go alternative. Supermarkets in the US and UK have already hopped on the trend and enjoyed healthy sales growth in return. *(Source: Drinks Ireland|Wine 2019: ‘Irish Wine Market Report’)
Fizz the summer season!
Blossom Hill Gin Fizz is a sparkling blend of crisp white wine, botanical infused water, and a dash of gin, and is available in two flavours – Lemon & Rosemary, and Rhubarb. At 8.5% ABV, Gin Fizz should be poured over ice and served with a simple garnish.
First launched into the Irish
At 8.5% ABV, Blossom Hill Gin Fizz aims to tap into the growing gin trend and has achieved strong sales since launch
& with A
Michelle O Sullivan, off-trade director, Findlater & Co
Q: How have consumers responded to the ‘19 Crimes’ labels which tell a story using an augmented reality app? Has this innovative labelling helped drive sales and how important are the additional benefits offered such as improving in-store theatre?
A: Guilty of being named the World’s Most Admired Wine Brand 2020 by Drinks International, 19 Crimes is a wine that shares the history of the infamous people who founded the land where its grapes are now grown. It highlights the plight of 165,000 convicts who made the long voyage by sea to Australia between 1788 and 1868, as punishment for committing one of 19 crimes. 19 crimes wanted to bring the stories to life with a fun and intriguing twist to the standard wine tasting experience. To do this, we developed an interactive app which animates the 19 Crimes convicts’ infamous true stories.
To grow awareness of the brand and the concept of the interactive labels, there was a PR drop to key influencers. This was extremely successful with everyone loving the twist on their standard drinking occasion and something new to bring to the experience. On the back of this success, we partnered with SuperValu to create a bespoke retail pack for Father’s Day which was criminally successful!
With so much choice available, it is vital to improve and build on the in-store experience by adding something that stands out. The combination of awareness and something unique in the market brought not only a positive sales boost but a new cohort of customers seeking that unique gift and experience. We suspect it will become a firm favourite with plenty of fingerprints to prove it!
Q: With the launch of the new Blossom Hill Gin Fizz brand, why did you decide the time was right to enter the RTD category?
A: The big increase in rosé sales over the last few years has fed into the potential for this new category. The explosion in recent years in the traditional gin category has bought new younger consumers into gin, but we felt that it was still dominated by old-fashioned brands who spoke in a very outdated way. This left a gap in the market for a brand and a product that relates to the younger female gin consumer. The 75cl bottle lends itself to the same occasion as prosecco, a group sharing experience whilst the smaller can format is perfect for an on-the-go summer occasion such as festivals (even if they are happening in your back garden!) and of course picnics. Consumers are looking for products that fit into their lifestyle and Blossom Hill Gin Fizz is right up their street!
Q: How do you intend to capitalize on the wellestablished Blossom Hill brand to attract new consumers to the wine market with a canned product?
A: What’s available to consumers in cans has been dominated by old-fashioned brands. There has been a lot of noise around so called ‘hard seltzers’ in recent months, but what we feel is that consumers are moving back to brands that they know and trust, not just in drinks but in all of their purchase decisions. Blossom Hill Gin Fizz offers brand reassurance on many levels. Blossom Hill is known for great quality wines that appeal to the consumer without any of the traditional wine “fuddy-duddiness”. Gin Fizz capitalises on this with gin being the strongest trend in alcohol in the last five years. All of this is then wrapped up in a great ready-to-drink package.
Q: What are the major benefits of organic wines? Michelle O Sullivan
A: Like many organic products, be it carrots or bread, the major benefits tend to be from an agricultural point of view. There are no chemicals used in the farming of the grapes for these products and as such it is much better for the environment and for the ecosystem of where the grapes are grown. In general, there is a big move towards consumers being more concerned about what they are putting in their bodies and given the choice, I think most would choose to consume products that haven’t had chemicals used in their production. I would love to say that organic wines give you less of a hangover, but the science doesn’t back that up quite yet! Moderation is still the best way so far!
Q: How significantly have organic wine sales grown in recent years in Ireland? How do you intend to increase consumers’ knowledge about organic wines and drive category sales further?
A: Anecdotally, organic wine sales are in massive growth but realistically this is from a very low base. From a merchandising point of view, we are seeing a huge increase in aisles of health food with an organic or free-from focus and wine, while a little bit behind, will move in the same direction. The consumer education piece tends to be based in the on-trade where there is the ability to tell the story of
The 75cl bottle of Blossom Hill Gin Fizz lends itself to the sharing experience for consumers, especially during the summer months
market last summer, Blossom Hill Gin Fizz aims to tap into the growing gin trend, achieving strong sales since launching. It was created based off the increased demand from consumers for new and exciting products within wine. Additionally, the gin market was thought to be quite old-fashioned and outdated leaving a gap in
how a wine is produced. In 2017 in the UK, 38% of all on-trade wine lists included at least one organic, biodynamic or natural wine – this has remained on the increase.
In retail, major brands like Cono Sur are now offering an alternative Organic range, this will begin a conversation and education piece with consumers. In the past, there hasn’t been the option of a binary choice between organic or not from any of the leading wine brands.
Q: How will the Cono Sur Chilled range dispel the myth that red wine can’t be enjoyed in warm summer months? How will you encourage more consumers to try out this option?
A: Chilled reds are a trend that has been growing in the on-trade for years – it began as a way to take the edge off the rustic reds that would be served in Parisian wine bars but really came into its own around lighter styles like Beaujolais. Chilling down a red wine tends to alter the taste profile in that the structure (tannin and acidity) sits up a little bit more with the fruit taking a back seat and this allows the wine to be more crisp and refreshing. The big increase in rosé sales over the last few years has also fed into the potential for this new category and the leading Pinot Noir producer in Chile, Cono Sur, flying the flag for chilled Pinot Noir is an exciting and edgy way to get our consumers thinking about the potential of a chilled red.
the market to attract a younger audience with the perfect blend of wine and gin.
Firstly, there is the 75cl bottle that lends itself to the sharing experience in line with the standard wine occasion. The rise in on-thego formats and Gin Fizz being synonymous with social occasions paved the natural way to launch the ready-to-drink can variation. The 20cl can format enables consumers to easily enjoy the serve on-the-go, perfect for those summer occasions like festivals and picnics. It makes the product more accessible; that in turn allows Blossom Hill to continue to drive growth through innovative, fun and accessible concepts.
Blossom Hill Gin Fizz is distributed by Findlater & Co.
Chilled to perfection
This year Cono Sur is launching two new chilled wines; Pinot Noir and Pinot Noir Rosé. The Pinot Noir is a young, bright ruby red with a good intensity of red fruit, cherry and raspberry aromas. On the palate, it has a medium concentration and is fresh, juicy and smooth with good acidity and persistence.
Meanwhile, the Pinot Noir Rosé has a bright, clean, elegant rosewood colour. There is a full expression of fresh fruit reminiscent of cherry, strawberry, raspberry and forest berries present in the nose whereas on the palate this wine is fresh and juicy with good acidity and balance. Both have an elegant and minimalist design that is sure to draw the eye of consumers.
Cono Sur is launching four new Organic wines; Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Carmenere Syrah
Organic growth
Cono Sur has a deep commitment to the environment which is embedded in its new organic range. Since its conception, Cono Sur has been deeply committed to the development of its environmental policies, believing that high quality wine production can work hand in hand with ecofriendly practices.
This is led by Cono Sur’s key principles of going back to the origins, providing quality in a pure expression of nature, all whilst showing respect to the environment.
This year Cono Sur is launching four new Organic wines; Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Carmenere Syrah. Young and fresh, this Sauvignon Blanc has a nice and bright colour with an expressive, refreshing, delicate, juicy and balanced taste. The Chardonnay has a seductively complex, very fresh and wellbalanced acidity taste to it, undoubtedly young and friendly. Appealing in its rich and deep colour and governed by sweet wild fruit aromas, this Pinot has a personality of its own. Last but not least, is the Cabernet Carmenere Syrah, a wine of integrated character, that culminates in a chocolate finish with underlying woody and toasty hints.
Cono Sur is distributed by Findlater & Co.
Fun, easy-drinking option
Ampersand is delighted to present Hans Baer Secco, an exciting innovation to the Irish market this summer. Hans Baer Secco is a quality duo of German semi-sparkling wines packaged in a 20cl can. Available in white and rosé, this single serve format can be chilled quickly, is environmentally friendly and convenient for consumers out and about this summer.
The Hans Baer Secco range retails at €3.49 with full alcohol content at 10% ABV and is packed in a case of 12. The packaging is classy and memorable with a visual logo of a bear on a bike. As the representative for Germany and the worldwide renowned symbol of the German capital of Berlin, the bear was chosen to be the trademark for the range.
Ampersand launched the Hans Baer range of wines last year in response to an increasing demand for high-quality and affordable wines from Germany and has >>
enjoyed success and significant growth in sales since. The range consists of a Riesling, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and a newly launched Sauvignon Blanc, all with a retail price of €10.95 per 75cl.
The Hans Baer range of wines represents modern winemaking adopted by innovative producers to produce a fun concept of easy drinking wines for a growing market segment.
If you are interested in stocking Hans Baer semi-sparkling cans or any of the wines from the range, contact your Ampersand representative, call the Ampersand sales line on 01-4130150 or email info@ampersandsales.ie.
Creating a buzz
Ampersand recently launched the Melea range of wines just in time for summer. Melea is a beautifully packaged range of organic and vegan wines with a unique story. Named after the rare bee Anthophora Melea, the range comprises two wines inspired by this rare insect. These include a white Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc blend, and a red made from 100% Tempranillo, both with an RRP of €11.95.
Melea wines come from the Cuenca area of La Mancha in Spain where the vineyard uses dry-farming methods and manages the vineyard traditionally without the use of toxic chemicals that can harm local wildlife, bees and other insects.
Bees not only act as important pollinators in the eco system, they also carry natural yeasts used to ferment wine. Melea
wines are fermented using the natural yeasts transported around the vineyard by local insects, including the bee. The vineyard is totally organic, and part of the company’s focus is to allow wildflowers to flourish to specifically attract the local endangered rare bee called Anthophora Melea, thus giving the wine the name Melea.
The project is the result of a collaboration between managing The Kylie Minogue Rosé features director of Long Wines, William aromas of fresh summer berries Long and his wife Barbara and white blossom Long, a mixed media artist who stitched together the bee motif used on the labels from recycled threads, and their son, Freddie, who managed the design process. The label has gone on to win awards and Drinks Business Magazine recently featured it as one of the an RRP of €12.99. For more best wine launches of 2019 information and to purchase in the UK. Kylie Minogue Wines online,
If you are interested visit www.kylieminoguewines. in stocking Melea Wines, com, and follow: Instagram. contact your Ampersand com/KylieMinogueWines. representative, call the For distribution enquiries Ampersand sales line on here in Ireland, contact Kate 01-4130150 or email Barry of Barry & Fitzwilliam info@ampersandsales.ie. on email at Kate.barry@ bandf.ie or telephone 021 Delicate, alluring 430900.
aromas
To coincide with Seriously fun her birthday on 28 Award-winning actor, May, pop icon Kylie producer, designer and Minogue launched her entrepreneur, Sarah signature French rosé Jessica Parker is adding in collaboration with a new rosé wine to her Benchmark Drinks. collection of wines with
Kylie Minogue Rosé New Zealand-based is an elegant, bespoke winery Invivo & Co and blend made from Kylie Minogue it is now available for Carignan and Cabernet Rosé is beautifully summer sipping. Sauvignon grapes presented in a longThis premium rosé – sourced from the sundrenched southern neck curved bottle with an engraved label featuring Invivo X, Sarah Jessica Parker Rosé – comes French Coast, a region Kylie’s signature, from the South of known for its innovative finished off with a France and has been viticulture. bespoke pearlescent crafted in partnership
With a deliciously capsule with Sarah Jessica juicy and fresh first Parker, the founders impression, the elegant of Invivo and a family blend features a beautifully pale winery in Provence. The new pink shade with delicate, alluring Invivo X, SJP Rosé will have a aromas of fresh summer berries suggested retail price of €18 and white blossom, refined and and is currently available at refreshing on the palate with a fruity, crisp finish.
“It has been a privilege collaborating with Kylie to bring her rosé vision to life,” said Paul Schaafsma of Benchmark Drinks. “Kylie’s exquisite taste and refined palate made it a dream to develop this bespoke rosé blend, creating a beautifully elegant wine which reflects the character of Kylie Minogue.”
Kylie Minogue’s debut Rosé Vin de France is launching in Ireland on www.WinesofTheWorld.ie and Carry Out Off-Licences at WinesOfTheWorld.ie.
The rosé comes hot on the heels of Invivo X, SJP
Sauvignon Blanc, SJP’s first wine collab and one of 2019’s most successful global wine launches with huge retailers such as Costco, Bevmo,
Albertsons, Sainsbury’s,
SuperValu and Dunnes, which all listed the brand within months. Mike Osborne, founder and executive vice president of wine.com (the USA’s largest wine retailer) describes the wine as “one of their most successful launches ever”.
The final rosé blend was selected by SJP and Invivo over an afternoon of tasting and assessing in New York City and the result is a new rosé that can be taken very seriously, but is also very seriously fun.
The grapes come from a vineyard in Provence on a family winery Vins Chevron Villette located in the famous ‘Golden Triangle’, situated in Saint Tropez.
The Invivo X, SJP Rosé is all about expressing the very best of these Provence vineyards that Invivo famously sources from. With cutting-edge technology and a ton of winemaking experience, the vineyard also strives to be eco-friendly by running the winery almost entirely on solar energy.
The critics at Wine Orbit in New Zealand have already given Invivo X, SJP Rosé 94 points and five stars.
Sarah Jessica Parker’s Sauvignon Blanc, which launched worldwide in September 2019, has already received a 90 points rating from Wine Spectator and a Gold medal at the Concurs Mondial du Sauvignon Blanc Competition 2020, along with numerous awards from the world’s largest wine competitions.
For more information, visit www.InvivoXsjp.com, watch www.vimeo.com/350635021 or check out Instagram: @invivoxsjp @InvivoWines, Facebook: Facebook.com/InvivoAndCo and Twitter: @InvivoWines. n
Sarah Jessica Parker said blending the rosé “was not only great fun but, as always with my partners at Invivo, informative, surprising, delicious and wonderfully satisfying”
Keogh’s Keogh’s WTF? packs ask shoppers to guess new mystery flavour
Keogh’s Crisps has been up to tricks with the launch of its new WTF flavour! The new packs are designed to tease the taste buds as consumers have to guess what the flavour is. Packs of the ‘mystery flavour’ are being rolled out Consumers have to guess ‘What’s the flavour?’ (WTF?) of new mystery packs to stores over the summer months and already Keogh’s has been inundated by crisp fans guessing what the secret ingredients are.
Popular guesses include Bacon, Chicken & Thyme, Beef & Stout and even Curry Spice Bag. Consumers are loving giving it a shot to be in with a chance of winning a trip to the home of the secret ingredient supplier. The new flavour will be revealed later this summer.
For further information, visit www.keoghs.ie/competition/.
ViraPro New child-friendly sanitiser launched to the retail trade
Indigenous Irish company ViraPro has launched a hand cleanser specifically intended for children’s use. The new range called ViraPro Kids is non-toxic and alcohol free.
During lockdown, parents have been able to ensure their children wash their hands at home without the use of sanitiser. However, with a return to school on the horizon, sanitiser will again become as much a school day essential as pencils and copy books.
ViraPro Kids is available in four fruity scents and a range of pack sizes to cater to all needs
Parents have already given the product excellent feedback. “My children’s hands were red raw during the coronavirus pandemic from using alcohol hand gels,” said one Co. Dublin mum, Mrs Crowley. “I think ViraPro Kids is a great idea for children!”
ViraPro Kids comes in three sizes: 50ml - great for in the backpack, 100ml - ideal for in the car and 500ml - perfect for in the house or classroom. No more offensive alcohol smell, as they come in four fruity scents, Strawberry, Apple, Banana and Bubble Gum.
“We know at ViraPro that Mrs Crowley’s story is a common one,” said Tony McMullan, ViraPro director. “At the onset of the pandemic, children were having to use alcohol sanitisers which can break down a child’s skin leaving it cracked and bleeding. ViraPro Kids will avoid that and ensure that kids hands are sanitised in a safe manner with no more tears because of sore hands.”
ViraPro is a brand created and owned by Portfolio Group, an Irish family business, founded in 1991.
The company was one of the first to deliver much-needed sanitiser and PPE to the HSE and NHS Northern Ireland. ViraPro chartered cargo planes at its own expense to bring in the much-needed healthcare products to help in the Irish fight against Covid-19.
ViraPro Kids will be in stores in August (50ml RRP: €1.99, 100ml RRP: €2.95, 500ml RRP: €6.95). To stock, contact 01839 4918 or email virapro@portfoliogroup.ie. View the full range at Virapro.ie. n
With home baking now firmly viewed as something of a national pastime, celebrity baker and chef, Donal Skehan has come together with Fyffes to find Ireland’s ‘best banana bread’ recipe.
Alongside gardening and redecorating our homes, baking has been one of the most popular activities enjoyed by mums, dads and children in recent times, with banana bread topping the list of favourites in most households.
Citing the purpose behind the venture, Skehan said: “There are as many different ways of baking banana bread as there are of enjoying the banana itself! We are now a nation of banana bread experts – it’s practically a national dish – and it’s time to put Celebrity chef Donal Skehan and Fyffes are joining forces to find the many ways to bake this favourite those baking skills to the test. Our food aim is to capture as many ideas, ingredients and methods and to share them far and wide.”
Entries are open from 20-27 July, with winners to be announced on 31 July. Reward will go to the overall winner and best junior baker, with recognition also given for originality in a number of other areas.
Details online at www.fyffes.com/news/article/fyffes-great-banana
bread-bake-off #FyffesGBBBO.
Bulmers Rosé bursts onto summer shelves with new improved recipe
Bulmers Rosé made a timely re-emergence onto shelves nationwide this month, adding some much-needed colour to 2020 with a new improved recipe. Initially trialled across a limited period in summer 2019, Bulmers Rosé is returning for 2020 with a sweeter, more distinctive summer flavour, making it appeal to those who enjoy other ‘pink’ drinks like gin and wine.
Produced in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, the home of Irish cider, Bulmers Rosé is made with the same 17 varieties of apples and dedication to the craft as the Original to be ready just in time for the perfect summer day.
With an ABV of 4%, Bulmers Rosé comes in a 330ml bottle and is best served over ice, just like the Original, making it the perfect cooling summer drink for enjoying with friends, at a picnic or just for treating oneself at home.
With an ABV of 4%, Bulmers Rosé is an ideal cooling summer drink for enjoying with friends
Kopparberg reinvigorates ‘hard seltzer’ category with new bold range
Kopparberg, the independent fruit cider giant and flavour expert that last year achieved huge success with the launch of its gin range, is now injecting its impressive flavour credentials into Ireland’s latest drinks trend - the hard seltzer.
Having launched in major retailers earlier this month, Kopparberg Hard Seltzer Kopparberg is confident its Hard Seltzer is expertly produced to the is a game-changer for the category, with a same high standard people flavour that packs a punch have come to expect from the Independent Swedish brand. With 5% ABV and 93 calories, the new beverage is carb and gluten free, and vegan friendly. The low-calorie count is the result of Kopparberg’s trademarked KopparSpirit, an alcohol base made from fermented fruit that leaves behind no residual sugar.
In true Kopparberg style, the new hard seltzers don’t shy away from flavour and there’s zero compromise on taste, with a hit of bold fruit refreshment; what the brand describes as “a far fuller-flavour than anything currently available in the Irish hard seltzer market”.
The decision to reinvigorate the hard seltzer category in Ireland comes as more brands start to announce plans to take on the market, with some big names set to make their transatlantic voyage this summer. Kopparberg Hard Seltzer will go head to head to redefine a category that has been deemed “subtle, bland and tasteless” and in turn, eliminate any preconceptions consumers may have of the polarising new RTD phenomenon.
“Kopparberg Hard Seltzer will shake up the hard seltzer category as we know it,” said Mary Anne Byrne, head of alcohol brands in Richmond Marketing.
All three Kopparberg Hard Seltzer variants are now stocked in Tesco.
C&C Group assumes exclusive distribution of Budweiser across island of Ireland
In a move described as a “strengthening of their partnership”, C&C Group has assumed exclusive distribution of Budweiser, the world’s biggest alcohol brand*, on the island of Ireland.
C&C now holds exclusive distribution of Budweiser Brewing Group’s (BBG) complete beer brand portfolio across Ireland. C&C and BBG (UK&I) will collaborate on the marketing of the unified portfolio, which also includes Stella Artois, Beck’s, Corona, Leffe and Hoegaarden.
The two companies say they plan to revitalise the Budweiser brand in Ireland and reconnect with Irish consumers, through a combination of marketing investment and in-pub activations. The planned marketing budget for the brand will be “a multiple of recent spend in order to capitalise on the inherent strength of the Budweiser brand in Ireland”.
Ireland will also be the world’s launch market for Budweiser’s new brand visual identity including new packaging and a new ‘Cadillac’ bottle with twist-off cap. The new brand identity will be rolled-out together with a range of investments in Irish pubs including new glassware and bar taps. In addition, Budweiser says it will move away from all plastic packaging by the end of 2020.
C&C has been working with BBG since 2009. *(Source: Interbrand, Partnership plans to revitalise the Budweiser Best Global Brands 2019 brand in Ireland, through a combination of Rankings) marketing investment and in-pub activations
Michael Clancy, co-founder, Lough Ree Distillery, said he was delighted all three “uniquely Irish” products scored so highly in the prestigious international competition
Lough Ree Distillery scores triple win at World Gin Masters and launches Aiteal
Lough Ree Distillery in Lanesborough, Co. Longford is celebrating a trio of medals at the World Gin Masters, including a Gold Medal for Aiteal, its new gin made with Irish juniper.
Many gin distilleries look to the ends of the earth for their inspiration when developing new products. The team at Lough Ree Distillery take a different approach, however, and have looked to local and Irish flavours for inspiration.
This approach has been rewarded with great recognition at the World Gin Masters, with the ninth international award for Sling Shot Distilled Irish Gin and Gold and Silver medals for two new Irish gins: • Sling Shot Distilled Irish Gin, launched in October 2018, is the only spirit that contains a peat distillate, making it uniquely Irish and the very essence of terroir. It won a Gold Medal in the UltraPremium class at the World Gin Masters. • Working with the Armada Hotel and Farm teams, foragers Thalli Foods, and Moy Hill Farm, new Mist + Moss Irish Gin was developed including Irish juniper and a selection of other botanicals sustainably foraged in Clare, and has now won a Silver medal. • New Aiteal Irish Gin, one of very few juniperonly gins, boasts interesting and complex flavours. As the gin is distilled with Irish whey spirit, Aiteal is the only 100% Irish gin, and it launches with the imprimatur of a World Gin Masters Gold Medal. n
NOffLA welcomes new associate member, Hi-Spirits
NOffLA is delighted to announce the addition of a new associate member on board this month, Hi-Spirits.
Hi-Spirits is one of Ireland’s leading spirit distributors with a diverse portfolio of award-winning brands. The company works closely with bars, retailers and distributors to create effective, bespoke brand support that really drives customer demand and builds sales.
8 to contemplate!
The Wine Centre in Kilkenny was named Leinster Off-Licence of the Year 2020 at the latest NOffLA Awards. Here, we catch up with manager Mark Tormey to grill him with eight quick questions on the latest trends and innovations sparking interest in-store
Award sponsored by Finca Flichman and Viños Los Boldos
Ballykeefe Gin: An award-winning gin that is locally produced here in Co. Kilkenny and family owned. The full range is available in-store and online via www.thewinecentre.ie/ballykeefe.
Joe Coyle of Liberty Wines presents the award for Leinster Off-Licence of the Year 2020 to Dante Ruiz Gomez of The Wine Centre, Kilkenny
1. How has Covid-19 affected your business?
We have seen a big increase in online activity and sales via our website, www.thewinecentre.ie.
2. What are the main consumer trends you are observing in your store?
Customers are seeking better quality wines to drink at home with restaurants being closed or taking limited bookings.
3. If you could recommend one hidden gem within spirits to customers, what would it be and why? 4. What has been your favourite-ever holiday or day trip relating to the drinks industry?
A trip to the Zenato vineyard in Northern Italy.
for customers looking for an option for a summer’s eve barbecue?
Le Versant Rosé.
A 28-year-old bottle of Method & Madness Single Cask. It is bottle 381 of 486 and is priced at €1,995.
The Wine Centre has renovated and extended the outdoor seating area at its Taproom Specialising in wines, beers and spirits, The Wine Centre in Kilkenny has something to suit every taste
5. Which wine would you recommend
Our range of four for €10 mix and match beers – with over 30 different beers to choose from.
8. Do you have any predictions for the future of the off-trade industry in Ireland? Are there any areas in-store that you would like to expand or develop further?
We believe there is scope to increase our overseas sales of whiskey and are constantly adding new beers to keep our offering new and interesting. We also plan to source more exclusive wines from France and soon Spain. We have likewise renovated and extended our outdoor seating area at our Taproom which is adjacent to our store on John Street.
NOffLA contacts
NEW KEY DATE
AWARDS NIGHT: September 18 2020, Royal Marine Hotel, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.
SCALING THE HEIGHTS OF RETAIL
MAIN SPONSOR IN ASSOCIATION WITH
CATEGORY SPONSORS
Hoppy ending for ‘Asda the frog’ after 5,000-mile journey
Staff at Asda in Llanelli, South Wales, made a startling discovery when they came across an exotic tree frog in a bunch of bananas. It’s believed the frog survived the 5,000-mile long journey from his native Colombia without food or drink by slowing down its metabolism, as amphibians are able to do.
Named Asda in honour of his rescuers, the frog is now
safe and sound at specialist animal centre ‘Silent World To You’ in Haverfordwest. RSPCA inspector Gemma Cooper praised the Asda store staff for keeping the creature safe. “We are pleased that Asda the frog is safe and well and hope he enjoys his ‘hoppy’ new home,” a spokesperson for the supermarket toad (sic!) media.
5. Best ad on telly?
things. Nice.
6. Worst ad on telly?
Market heats up for super strength chillies
Following soaring demand during the lockdown for super strength chillies, Tesco has re-added three of the world’s hottest peppers to its Grower Salvatore Genovese’s superstrength chilli peppers are up to 400 times hotter than jalapeño peppers range in the UK.
Scotch Bonnet pepper sales have rocketed by around 170% since restaurants closed in March. Bedfordshire grower Salvatore Genovese is now providing even hotter varieties Carolina Reaper, Komodo Dragon and Armageddon to the retailer. However, Tesco has advised home cooks to exercise extreme caution when preparing and eating the fiery varieties.
Tesco’s chilli pepper buyer Emily Hampson said: “These superstrong varieties are not for beginners and we advise that only experts who know what they are doing should try them.”
New Zealand Covid case skips isolation for supermarket dash
Earlier this month, a man who the man who tested positive for arrived in New Zealand from New Covid-19, returned of his own Delhi, managed to escape a managed volition. isolation centre in Auckland. It’s Health Minister Chris Hipkins understood he was in the facility’s slammed his actions as “selfish”. smoking area where new 1.82m-high The man will be summonsed to fences were being installed, when he appear in court charged under the made a spur of the moment decision Covid-19 Public Health Response Act, to escape through a gap. where he will face either six months’
Upon his ‘great escape’ he made imprisonment or a $4,000 fine. for a Countdown supermarket, where In a statement, Countdown said corporate affairs general manager it closed for cleaning at 8.15am the Kiri Hannifin alleged he “did a lot next morning and didn’t reopen until of browsing in the health and beauty the following day. All staff working aisle” and even stopped and posed that night were asked to self-isolate for selfies. as a precautionary measure, and then
Seventy minutes after his escape, tested over the next few days. n
20 QUICK QUESTIONS WITH
1. Best place for coffee?
I like a flat white and pop into many places but I mostly go to Costa. It’s reliable for a meeting also.
2. Favourite movie?
I love a sports movie such as The Rookie but I have watched The Shawshank Redemption and Man on Fire many times. My wife can’t understand why I watch the same movies again!
3. Top book recommendation?
Really enjoyed Open which is about the tennis player Andre Agassi – his dad was tough!
4. Which social media platform do you use most?
WhatsApp: I connect with my friends and family there. I keep an eye on LinkedIn and Facebook but I don’t post much.
DARREN THORNBERRY, head of sales, Payzone
I like the Cadbury’s ad where the boy throws the chocolate bar over the fence and tells his neighbour “you don’t need to throw that one back” as he does so often with footballs and other
Darren Thornberry Asda staff leapt to the defence of an exotic tree frog
The Haribo ads where the adults talk with children’s voices. Really annoying.
7. Favourite grocery shop?
I shop local so I pop into different stores through the week. The days of a massive shop in one retailer are over – in my house anyway.
8. What would you cook if you were to compete in Come Dine With Me and would you win?
Everyone seems pleased with my Sunday roast so I would lean that way but no, I wouldn’t win. I’m not creative enough in the kitchen.
9. First thing you would do if you were Taoiseach?
Add more security to the Luas. I spent a good few years using it and I don’t miss it.
10. If you had to live in another country, where would you choose?
Very impressed with Lisbon, Portugal. Great transport, great weather and pretty vibrant. I would start there. A lot of hills though!
11. Greatest achievement to date?
Payzone has placed a lot of faith in me to help manage the card acceptance business, so that’s up there. Getting my two girls through the teenage years also – that was not easy!
12. Best website?
I flick through many but rte.ie is the one I am on most often.
13. Most annoying public figure? Trump, followed closely by Boris.
14. Best piece of advice you ever received?
My mother said treat people like you would like to be treated – typical Irish mammy but it stuck and I believe in it. From a sales perspective – it’s a numbers game so work hard and you will get there.
15. Biggest fear?
I suppose it has to be that random call on a Tuesday afternoon or whatever – you look at the name on the phone and you just know something is up.
16. City or beach break?
Love flying into Faro, Portugal, and heading up the coast.
17. Top restaurant recommendation?
My wife and I love going into Dublin city and we usually end up in the Port House on South William Street. You step into a little cavern. Private and really nice tapas food: can’t wait to get back. When we get to Kinsale though, we love Fishy Fishy.
18. Pop or rock?
I love all types of music from U2 to Gavin James. I like motivational, energetic music.
19. Favourite time of the day?
Morning time – definitely. I get a lot done in the mornings and I feel I am at my most productive. Same at the weekends on a personal level – love getting up early. No queues wherever I go. It’s great.
20. What’s the last compliment you received?
Just got my hair cut after lockdown. My daughters said “that’s much better!” n
