60|Retail News|June 2016|www.retailnews.ie
Drinks News Fun in the Sun for Coca-Cola HBC Campus 5k
MORE than 300 runners, walkers and joggers turned out on Sunday, May 29, for the Coca-Cola HBC Campus 5k, raising much needed funds for Foróige and the young people of Dublin 15. Sunshine and entertainment made for a fantastic day at the National Sports Campus in Blanchardstown, with the 5k accompanied by a 1k Family Fun Run and music by local DJ club The Faders. Phoenix FM’s Joe O’Connor was also on hand to offer motivation and support for all participants as they crossed the finishing line. This community event was supported by Coca-Cola HBC Ireland, whose Dublin office employs almost 300 people in nearby Ballycoolin. Pictured is Jack Sullivan (left) with Coca-Cola HBC employees and participants (l-r): Louise Sullivan, Ciara Cashen, Oonagh Gildea, Orla Heffernan and Noel Ryan.
DIAGEO CEO LAUNCHES INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE DIAGEO Chief Executive, Ivan Menezes launched the new DrinkIQ interactive experience at the Guinness Storehouse, St James’ Gate, Dublin, recently. DrinkIQ is a resource and training programme designed to help individuals make responsible and informed choices about drinking or not drinking. The DrinkIQ interactive experience is a unique tool which will provide people with information including how alcohol effects the body, alcohol’s place as part of a balanced lifestyle and nutrition, calorie and alcohol content information for alcoholic beverages, including Diageo products. “This new interactive exhibit is an engaging way to share responsible drinking information and will allow us to educate huge numbers of people at the home of one of our iconic global brands,” said Ivan Menezes, pictured (second from left), with Mark Sandys, Global Head of Beer and Baileys; Oliver Loomes, Country Director Ireland; and Paul Carty, Managing Director, Guinness Storehouse.
Lidl’s Nine Wine Winners LIDL scooped nine awards at the prestigious International Wine Challenge for its own brand wines. Lidl scooped two Silver and four Bronze medals, as well as three Commended awards. Leading the way were the Silver winners Lidl’s Comte de Senneval Champagne Brut (pictured) and Cepa Lebrel Rioja Reserva 2011. The Bronze Medal winners were Armilar Ruby Port 19%, Chianti Classico Riserva 2010, Cimarosa Chenin Blanc 2015 and Valpolicella 2013. Commended were Cimarosa Australian Shiraz, Cimarosa New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc 2015 and Prosecco Superior Extra Dry 2015. “Winning such prestigious awards is a huge endorsement of the work that has gone into producing our own brand ranges and is also a testament to our policy of sourcing the highest quality wines for our customers,” said Claire Moran, Senior PR Manager for Lidl Ireland.
HI-SPIRITS SIGNS DISTRIBUTION DEAL WITH TOORANK
A NEWLY agreed partnership sees Hi-Spirits become the exclusive UK and Ireland distributor for Dutch spirits producer Toorank. This includes private label spirits, challenger brands supplied to major retailers and the independent off-trade, and premium brands, principally Sloane’s Gin (pictured). “The addition of Toorank adds significant volume to our already sizeable off trade business, and we are confident we can grow it further,” said Dan Bolton, Managing Director of Hi-Spirits. “It also gives us the opportunity to work even more closely with multiple retailers, cash & carries and discounters on private label and NPD projects, where we see significant opportunities.”
Aldi Sauvignon Blanc Wins Gold ALDI’S Exquisite Collection Chilean Sauvignon Blanc 2015 has won a Gold medal at the 2016 Decanter World Wine Awards. Now available in 124 Aldi stores nationwide, priced €8.99, the Exquisite Collection Chilean Sauvignon Blanc is from the Casablanca Valley in Chile and is part of Aldi’s core wine collection. Aldi had a total of 22 award winning wines at the DWWA in 2016, including three Silvers, 13 Bronze winners and five Commended Awards. The Silver medal winners were Exquisite Collection Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, Lot 12 Chenin Blanc and Lot 08 Colchagua Carmenere 2012, while the Bronze medal winners were: Exquisite Collection Clare Valley Riesling, Exquisite Collection Hunter Valley Semillon, Lot 11 Metarie du Bois, Tudor Shiraz, Andre Vannier Chablis Premier Cru, Andre Vannier Chablis, Exquisite Collection Cabernet de Cabernet, Exquisite Collection Chardonnay, Exquisite Collection Marsanne, Exquisite Collection Merlot, Lot 15 Grés de Montpellier, Veuve Monsigny Brut Rosé and Exquisite Collection Limoux.