MARKETPLACE

A new brand is causing a buzz in Australia’s liquor industry, launching a line of tequila-based seltzers into Australia.

Compa Drinks Co. has just released its two naturally flavoured debutSKUs - Grapefruit (inspired by the Paloma cocktail) and Mango (inspired by mango margaritas).

Compa Drinks Co. is a certified foreign bottler of tequila and tequila based products, which is no small feat for an independent Australian company. The new seltzers use 100 per cent premium Blue Agave tequila, blended and packaged into the RTDs in Sydney. Co-founder and Managing Director, Nick Chappell, said this creates a fresh and clean flavour-forward product with a unique point of difference.

“On the back of the huge growth in both the agave space and seltzer market, a tequila seltzer was a match made in heaven,” he said.

“The process of getting our products to market has taken around 14 months and so far the response has been incredible. As one of, if not the only, seltzers on the market using real 100 per cent Blue Agave Blanco tequila, we have found a point of difference in a saturated market.”

Compa Drinks Co. said there is a sizable opportunity with this RTDinnovation, noting that Australia is now the third biggest consumer of agave-based spirits per capita globally. In addition, both tequila and seltzer sales have increased exponentially in the past two years, with no sign of slowing.

The new tequila seltzers from Compa Drinks Co. are available now via Kaddy or ALM.

Following on from their hugely successful first seasonal release, Poolside, the world’s most awarded brewer of alcohol-free craft beers, BigDrop Brewing is back with a brand new limited-edition winter release.

Available for ranging from mid-June, Woodcutter Brown Ale, is likened to “having a cup of coffee surrounded by Autumn leaves” and is sure to be yet another crowd pleaser from the brand. Featuring hints of bonfire and toffee apple, with a rich, warming, peppery finish, Woodcutter certainly draws on Big Drop’s English heritage but, as with all the brand’s beers, brewed locally and more sustainably in Australia.

Woodcutter has previously won top prize for Best Low Alc Dark Beer at the 2019 WorldBeer Awards and will be the perfect winter complement to their Galactic Milk Stout, which took out World’s Best No Alc Beer’ at the 2021World Beer Awards. With its use of BramlingCross hops and notes of honeycomb, chocolate and coffee, it’s quickly gaining a strong year round fan base here in Australia.

Given the IWSR finding that 65 per cent of Australian consumers are looking to try new no and low alcohol offerings, these two winter brews from Big Drop are sure to help you maximise your no-low offering this winter.

So grab that fluffy jumper and marshmallows and make this a booming non-alcoholic winter by ordering yours through Paramount, Kaddy, Polkadot (TAS) and Wine Gang (WA). Alternatively, contact the Big Drop Team at:

customersupport@bigdropbrew.com

Bombay Sapphire has unveiled its latest super premium expression, Premier Cru, handcrafted in celebration of its citrus suppliers in the Murcia region of Spain. The new gin has Murcian lemons at its heart, complemented by mandarins and sweet Navel oranges, for a bright, elegant and rounded flavour profile.

Master Distiller, Dr Anne Brock, said: “I am incredibly proud of the meticulous processes used to produce BombaySapphire Premier Cru, from the skilled sourcing and preparation of botanicals to my role in carefully adapting every small batch of gin to bring out the nuances of the late harvest during distillation, amplifying the unique characteristics and finest flavours into a consistent flavour profile every year.”

Bombay Sapphire Premier Cru has a slightly higher ABV of 47 per cent, and is available from Bacardi-Martini Australia.

Pernod Ricard has unveiled the latest vintage release from Mumm Champagne, with the G.H. Mumm Millésimé2015 now available on the Australian market.

Maison Mumm has been making vintage Champagne from only the most exceptional harvests since 1842, and each release showcases the House’strademark style alongside the unique character of different vintages.

The 2015 Millésiméspecifically is a blend based on Pinot Noir grapes, showcasing the full potential of the grape variety with a rich and aromatic palate and dazzling fruit flavour.

Laurent Fresnet, MaisonMumm Cellar Master, said: “A seductive, tantalising champagne, Mumm Millésimé 2015 offers a wealth of magnificent aromas. At the height of its evolution, it is the consummate incarnation of epicurean delights.”

Premium craft brewery, Modus Brewing, is set to launch a new modern brand look across its award-winning range of beers.

The modern look reflects the brand’s new industry leading brewery and world class venue based in Newcastle, and highlights the Modus quality mantra of ‘Beer First, No Shortcuts.’

Modus Founder and Owner, Grant Wearin, said he tries not to judge a beer by its can, but to set the tone of the new brewery and premium craft beer, a new elevated design approach was imperative.

“Modus has always prided itself on being at the forefront of innovation and seriously good liquid. Our new brewery is ticking all the quality and sustainability boxes we’ve always dreamt of so we took the opportunity to reimage our on-shelf presence with new packaging and branding,” Wearin said.

Modus Hazy 3.5%, Modus XPA, Modus Pale and Sonic Prayer IPA will be available from July across the country.

One of Piedmont’s most historic Barolo producers, Fontanafredda, is touching down in Australia thanks to a new distribution agreement with Calabria Family Wine Group’s international portfolio arm, Vintners & Co. Merchants.

Fontanafredda is nestled in the foothills of the Alps that form the Italian border with France and Switzerland. Diverse soils and daily temperature variations allow the label to produce an extensive array of varietals, from Barolo to sparkling.

“As one of Piedmont’s most recognised wine producers, this new partnership presents an exciting opportunity for our team to tap into new sales channels as the thirst for great international wines grows amongst Australian wine drinkers,” said third-generation Sales and Marketing Director of the Calabria Family Wine Group, Andrew Calabria.

The Fontanafredda portfolio will be available in Australia from late June, including its highly rated Barolos and other well known Italian varietals like the Roero Arneis DOCG, Langhe DOC Nebbiolo, Piedmont DOC Dolcetto and Piedmont DOC Barbera.

St Hugo has announced the launch of its new Single Vineyard Collection, which expands its fine wine range and showcases the nuances of the brand’s house style through single vineyard terroir.

The first release for this collection celebrates the home and soul of St Hugo and includes the 2018 Barossa Valley FabalShiraz, the 2016 Barossa Valley Koch Shiraz and the 2018 Coonawarra Flint Cabernet Sauvignon.

St Hugo Chief Winemaker, Peter Munro, said: “The dirt always wins. As a winemaker you can do all you like to craft and shape wines, but the dirt always comes out in the final expression of the wine. That’s the pleasing thing about the St Hugo Single Vineyard Collection, they’re a true representation of where the grapes are grown; be it the soil, the aspect or the phenomenal age of the vines, each vineyard tells its own story and imparts this history and legacy into the grapes, and that’s something we’re so excited to share with the world.”

The limited new collection features QR codes on the back label of each bottle to create an integrated digital storytelling experience, so consumers can learn about the vineyards and winemaking techniques.

De Kuyper, the internationally renowned producer of cocktail liqueurs, is changing its distribution arrangements in Australia from 1 July 2022, moving from Bacardi-Martini Australia to William Grant & Sons.

Mark de Witte, CEO of De Kuyper, said: “We are convinced that William Grant & Sons is the perfect partner to pursue our vision to‘ Own the Cocktail’ in the important Australian market. We are looking forward to accelerating the growth of our premium brands together with this outstanding premium spirits house.

“I also want to take the opportunity to thank Bacardi-Martini Australia for a long and very successful partnership, which has spanned almost 25 years. We highly value their prosperous efforts to build our portfolio over this long period of time.”

There are a few generally accepted ways of producing non-alcoholic beverages, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. 4 Pines Brewing Co took a different pathway to most, bringing the concept back to brewing fundamentals.

The exploration of this process took six months from concept to consumer. Ultra Low is brewed the 4 Pines way, with the same ingredients and equipment used to brew all of their multi award-winning beers. It is not sweetened like other low-alcoholic beers and isn’t tunnel pasteurised, which would dull the fresh flavours.

4 Pines Ultra Low is for here, there and everywhere. The ultra-refreshing, ultra-low alcohol malt beverage is dominated by fruity hop notes, underpinned by herb and citrus. A subtle and clean malt character with balanced bitterness refreshes the palate, finishing slightly tart to leave you wanting more.

4 Pines Ultra Low is made for beer lovers, by beer lovers… with less than 0.5 per cent ABV. Cheers to that!

Vanguard Luxury Brands has expanded its premium spirits distribution portfolio in the last month, to bring new super-premium mezcal and Japanese whisky to Australia.

Following a 50/50 venture with Los Siete Misterios and global supplier Chatham Imports, Vanguard will now be importing and distributing three Los Siete Misterios SKUs in Australia. The three new releases will be the artisanal Doba-Yej, bright and floral with balanced citrus notes; the Pechuga, long and fragrant and made with turkey breast; and the Tobala, made from the crown jewel of agave varietals.

The second announcement was about the release of a new expression from world-renowned Mt Fuji Distillery, which has released the Fuji Single Grain Japanese whiskey. Described as premium yet accessible, it is a blend of three types of grain whisk(e)y that emulate flavour profiles of Bourbon, Canadian and Scotch whiskies.

Vanguard Luxury Brands noted that both of these recent product announcements was driven by consumer demand for these categories, with both agave spirits and Japanese whiskey seeing incredible recent growth that is tipped to continue.

Crafted in Melbourne using the finest Australian botanicals, EastPole launches with two mid strength gins, Classic Dry and Pink Grapefruit; each capturing the intensity, mouthfeel and taste profile of a full strength gin, but with only 22.3 per cent ABV.

Founder and CEO of East Pole Distillery, Dylan Alexander, says: “We know moderation is a real trend, but often it means ‘all or nothing’. Why drink for 11 months and then stop cold turkey? What if we could moderate the everyday?”

Research revealed 79 per cent of people thought a full-flavored gin with less alcohol was highly appealing and created more occasions to enjoy gin.

East Pole has invested countless hours perfecting the midstrength method to deliver great-tasting gins with all the flavor consumers expect with just half the ABV.

From mid-week martinis to long Sunday afternoons, East Pole is an addition to the drinks cabinet, not a substitute. It’s as East as that.