The monthly round-up of what’s new in low/no, beer, cider, wine, spirits, RTDs and mixers.
LOW/NO
Sprigster Fizz
£14.50
USP: Non-alcoholic sparkling wine alternative Sprigster Fizz is made from a slow-cooked grain vinegar mash of English hops, rhubarb, ginger and fennel seeds, that is infused for several weeks. To create the fizz, a gooseberry reduction and local spring water is added before carbonation.
Freixenet 0.0%
£6
USP: Freixenet 0.0% will roll out to Tesco, Sainsbury’s Morrisons and slurp.co.uk this month. The vegan, low calorie wine comes in Sparkling White and Sparkling Rosé.
Atopia’s Hedgerow Berry and Rhubarb & Ginger
£23 each
USP: Alcohol-free spirit Atopia has added two new flavours to its range. Rhubarb & Ginger and Hedgerow Berry are each copper pot distilled before being blended with natural botanicals and flavours.
Strykk Not Aperitivo
£12
USP: Strykk Not Aperitivo is a non-alcoholic apéritif that blends sweeter Prosecco-like notes with the sharper flavours of quassia, wormwood and bitter orange, designed to create a spritz. “This makes it a two-ingredient serve, avoiding the need to add a non-alc sparkling wine and so it is very simple to make – just pour over ice, add an equal measure of soda water and a slice of orange”.
SPIRITS & LIQUEURS
Glengoyne The Legacy Series: Chapter Three
48% abv
£69.99
USP: The Legacy Series: Chapter Three is the final instalment in the range and the expression tells the story of Sir Arthur John Tedder, an excise officer at the distillery. Sir Tedder is said to have pioneered the distillery’s ‘unhurried’ approach to whisky making.
Bunnahabhain’s three limited-edition bottlings for Fèis Ìle 2022
From 49.7% abv
From £95
USP: The range includes Abhainn Araig (50.8%), a non-age statement marriage of Bunnahabhain spirit, 2004 Moine Tokaji finish (52.5% abv) and 1998 French Calvados cask finish (49.7% abv).
Adriatico Amarettos
From 16% abv
£28.99 each
USP: Adriatico Amaretto has launched in two flavours: Roasted (28% abv) and Bianco (16% abv). The Italian liqueurs are made from Italian almonds from Puglia and they are both gluten free and vegan.
Cotswolds Distillery’s Rum Cask Single Malt whisky
55.6% abv
£74.95
USP: The limited-edition Rum Cask Single Malt whisky is the third expression in Cotswolds Distillery’s Hearts & Crafts collection. This yearly limited-edition series celebrates the Arts & Crafts movement. The latest release has been aged in rejuvenated French oak ex-red wine casks seasoned with Caribbean rum.
Terlingham Bacchus Dry Gin
40% abv
£36.50
USP: Each batch of Terlingham Bacchus Dry Gin is produced with “seasonal wines from grapes grown just once per year with zero artificial chemicals”. The Kent estate said no two batches are the same, with the year of production placed on each bottle neck, “encouraging repeat custom for retailers as the consumer trend to seek out exclusive, high-quality spirits continues”.
East London Liquor Co’s London Rye Whisky
47% abv
£55
USP: “Every drop of our London Rye is made in the East End of London – a spot not often associated with whisky, or with following the rules. We use methods and techniques that turn our friends north of the border green with envy.” The mash bill for the whisky includes 55% rye and 45% malted barley.
Dead Man’s Fingers Mango Tequila Cream Liqueur and Strawberry Tequila Cream Liqueur
17% abv
£15 each
USP: The new products blend reposado Tequila with flavours of mango and strawberry, and cream. The liqueurs are designed to be consumed neat, over ice, or in cocktails such as a Mango Cooler or Strawberry Espresso Martini.
Edwards 1902 English Rhubarb Vodka
40% abv
£40
USP: Edwards 1902 Rhubarb Vodka is distilled from King Edwards potatoes grown across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. Each bottle contains approximately 30% pressed rhubarb juice, sourced from Yorkshire.
Lot No. 40 Dark Oak Canadian whisky
48% abv
£65
USP: Speciality Brands is expanding its Canadian whisky offer with the addition of Lot No. 40 Dark Oak. The whisky is made from 100% rye grain. The liquid is first distilled in a column still and then a copper pot still and aged in new, lightly charred barrels before being finished in heavily charred American oak barrels.
Dewar’s Japanese Smooth
40% abv
£30
USP: Japanese Smooth is an 8-year-old blended Scotch whisky finished in Japanese Mizunara Oak casks. The launch follows Caribbean Smooth and Illegal Smooth – part of the Dewar’s Cask Series.
Glengoyne Batch Strength Series – Batch No. 009
59.6% abv
£74.99
USP: “Bottled straight from the cask, it’s a whisky that celebrates Glengoyne’s unwavering commitment to full maturation in American and European oak. The result is a vibrant and decadent whisky that truly brings the best out of each cask. Batch No. 009 is comprised of first-fill Oloroso sherry, bourbon, and refill casks.”
Bullards Pineapple, Ginger and Lime Gin
40% abv
£40
USP: Bullards owner Russell Evans said: ‘We are thrilled to launch our latest gin to add to our portfolio of sustainable independent spirits. We’ve chosen pineapple as our base due to its rich history with Covent Garden, to coincide with our new shop opening this month on 28 Henrietta Street.”
Mermaid Zest Gin
40% abv
£39.90
USP: The Isle of Wight Distillery has launched Mermaid Zest Gin, a “limited-edition, smooth and refreshing grapefruit and gentle juniper London Dry Gin”. Mermaid Zest Gin is the fourth addition to the range, which includes Mermaid Gin, Mermaid Pink Gin and Mermaid Salt Vodka.
Glengoyne Offline Edition whisky
48% abv
£120
USP: The Offline Edition packaging features an aluminium inner cylinder to turn the whisky box into a digital black spot – blocking out electromagnetic signals for up to four smartphones. The whisky inside the packs is Glengoyne Legacy Series: Chapter Three.
Burleighs Raspberry Edition Gin
37.5% abv
£32.50
USP: Produced by steeping Burleighs’ signature gin recipe in raspberries and peaches – the blush-coloured drink is a “fresh and fruity yet delicate gin, which is delicious on its own with a tonic, or as a base for cocktails”.
Glenrinnes Muscat barrel-aged vodka
41.6% abv
£37 (50cl)
USP: The new vodka was created using Eight Lands Organic Vodka at 59% abv and cask-ageing it for two months. The virgin casks were first filled with brandy, followed by Muscat that was aged for 31 years, and finally the Eight Lands vodka.
Experimental de Christian Drouin Plantation Long Pond Angels
45% abv
£89.25
USP: Calvados producer Christian Drouin has released a new product in its series ‘Expérimental de Christian Drouin’, with the introduction of Plantation Long Pond Angels, exclusively distributed in the UK by Speciality Brands. Christian Drouin has partnered with Jamaican rum distillery Long Pond to create this 14-year-old Calvados Pays d’Auge. It has been aged for seven months in old French oak barrels that previously contained Jamaica Long Pond ITP 1995 rum.
Aldi Scotland’s Toradh Seville Flavoured Orange Gin
37.5% abv
£14.99
USP: The Seville Orange Flavoured Gin is the sixth edition in Aldi Scotland’s own brand Toradh range, which also includes Plum and Pink Grapefruit Gin; Tropical Gin and the classic Original Gin.
RTDS & MIXERS
Soho Street Cocktail Strawberry Daiquiri
9.5% abv
£28.99 (1.5l pouch)
USP: The Strawberry Daiquiri, which is made using strawberry purée, Caribbean Rum and lime juice, comes in a recyclable pouch. The drink contains no allergens, artificial colours or flavourings, and it is vegan and gluten free.
Kopparberg’s Cocktail Collection
5% abv
£2 per can
USP: “Traditionally made using vodka, Kopparberg’s take on the Cosmopolitan mixes the fruity flavours of Kopparberg Strawberry & Lime gin with sparkling cranberry to create the Strawberry Cosmo. Similarly, Kopparberg’s take on the Tom Collins uses vodka rather than gin, mixing Kopparberg’s Lemon vodka with soda for an exciting, modern spin. Finally, rum lovers will be thrilled with the Cherry Storm, Kopparberg’s version of the Dark ‘N Stormy which combines Kopparberg Cherry rum, lime, and ginger beer.”
Tarquin’s Cornish Dry Gin & Tonic cans
7% abv
£3
USP: Created by self-taught master distiller Tarquin Leadbetter, the new cans combine a light tonic with Tarquin’s flagship Cornish Dry Gin – a twist on a classic London dry gin, distilled with 12 botanicals sourced from across the world and locally foraged on the Cornish coast.
WKD Berry Blast
4% abv
£3.39 (70cl PMP)
USP: “Rolling out across all trade channels, WKD Berry Blast will benefit from a striking front label featuring flavour-explosion graphics designed to convey the vibrant taste of the product and to maximise standout both on-shelf and in chillers.”
Cantarita RTD cocktail
16% abv
£25 (50cl)
USP: Rita Ora’s Prospero Tequila has collaborated with cocktail company Lockdown Liquor and Co to create The Cantarita: a cocktail blend that uses Próspero Blanco Tequila as its base alongside citrus fruits and agave nectar.
BEER
Beavertown Brewery’s Critical Mass
4.7% abv
£2.30
USP: Introduced in response to an increased demand for a gluten free option, Beavertown has announced the launch of Critical Mass. The IPA has been dry hopped, meaning hops were added late in the brewing process to create “fruity flavours”.
Camden Town’s Ice Cream Vanilla Lager
4.8% abv
£12 (4x44cl cans)
USP: “Originally launched last year as an Arch55, a series of small batch beers from Camden, Ice Cream proved to be the most popular of the series, with an 18% uplift in sales volume compared to the average Arch55 launch. So, for 2022, Camden is bringing it back with a twist and it’s (literally) bigger than ever, launching in Camden’s first-ever 440ml larger can format.”
Duvel’s Chouffe40
5.6% abv
£5 (33cl bottle)
USP: To celebrate 40 years of La Chouffe, brand owner Duvel Moortgat has released Chouffe40, a coudly golden beer with notes of citrus fruits and sage.
Goose Island Juicy Future
5% abv
£6.50 (4x33cl cans)
USP: “The 5% hazy tropical IPA is made with summer in mind, bringing zesty, tropical aromas into play with a subtle tart, tangy finish and a glorious sunset colour.” The beer has launched exclusively in Co-op.
CIDER & PERRY
Lambrini’s Lamqueeni bottles
6% abv
£3 (1.25l)
USP: Limited-edition Lamqueeni bottle designs will be on sale for one month between mid-May and mid-June to mark the Queen’s 70 years on the throne. The liquid remains the same.
Sandford Orchard’s Jubilee Limited Edition Devon Red Cider
4.5% abv
£2.30 (50cl)
USP: Barny Butterfield, chief cidermaker at Sandford Orchards said: “2022 is a milestone year for Britain as the Queen completes 70 years on the throne and, after a couple of years of covid restrictions, we are at last able to gather together for some long overdue celebrations. We wanted to mark the occasion with our Jubilee Limited Edition Devon Red Cider, which is created from British apples grown and pressed in Devon, using traditional methods, at the oldest working cider mill in the UK.”
Biddenden Ice Cider 2021
9% abv
£12.90 (50cl bottle)
USP: Biddenden Ice Cider 2021 – the first of its kind within the Biddenden Cider range – is made from locally grown apples pressed on site at Biddenden. “The result is an intense, sweet, complex ice cider bursting with aromas and reflecting the best characteristics from Kentish grown Egremont Russet and Bramley apples,” the company said.
WINE
O Winzer Orange wine
£10.50
USP: Ehrmanns has launched O from Winzer Krems, as it taps into the emerging market for orange wines in the UK. The wine is produced in Wachau, Austria. Vinified from Grüner Veltliner, O’s light orange colour is a result of being fermented on skins for 21 days. The wine is available from Getir and the independent trade.
Italia canned wines
From £1.95
Adria Vini, Boutinot’s Italian joint venture with Piemontese co-operative Araldica Castelvero, has rolled out a range of 25cl canned wines. Released under the Italia brand and distributed in the UK by Boutinot Wines, the range comprises Italia Pinot Grigio (£2.85), Italia Pinot Grigio Rosé (£2.85) and Italia Moscato (£1.95), all IGT Provincia di Pavia and from the 2021 vintage.
Simpson’s Chalklands Classic Cuvée English sparkling wine
USP: This is the first non-vintage Chalklands Classic Cuvée English sparkling wine. The wine is made from a blend of 40% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Meunier. Each grape variety is harvested and vinified separately, using a selection of yeasts. All the components undergo malolactic fermentation and then age in tanks for three months on light lees. Following bottle fermentation, Chalklands spends between 12 and 18 months ageing on its lees prior to disgorgement.
Bullards English Sparkling Rosé
£40
USP: Gin producer Bullard’s has released a wine. Made from Seyval Blanc, Pinot Noir and Auxerrois grapes, the pink sparkler has been created using the traditional method of making sparkling wine through secondary fermentation in the bottle. All three grape varieties are grown at Bullard’s Tipsy Anchor vineyard in Norfolk.
La Gioiosa Prosecco Rosé Millesimato
£10.99
USP: La Gioiosa is releasing a limited-edition Prosecco Rosé Millesimato in collaboration with British designer Yvonne Ellen to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The bottle features Ellen’s signature animals alongside floral designs.
Penfolds Venture Beyond gift packs
£10-25
USP: Launched as part of an immersive Harrods pop-up experience called ‘Venture Beyond’, the limited edition Penfolds space-themed packs will now be available across key supermarkets: Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons (in select stores only). The range includes:
- Penfolds Bin 8 Shiraz Cabernet – £25 RRP
- Penfolds Max’s Chardonnay – £20 RRP
- Penfolds Max’s Cabernet Sauvignon – £20 RRP
- Penfolds Max’s Shiraz – £20 RRP
- Penfolds Max’s Shiraz Cabernet – £20 RRP
- Penfolds Koonunga Hill Chardonnay – £10 RRP
- Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet- £10 RRP
Bolney Founder’s Edition wines
From £50
USP: Sussex-based Bolney Wine Estate has lined up new wines to celebrate its 50th anniversary. They are: Founder’s Edition Pinot Noir 2018 (£50), Founder’s Edition Blanc de Blancs 2018 (£95) and a Founder’s Edition Duo (presentation box, £155), which features both the Pinot Noir 2018 and Blanc de Blancs 2018.
Hardys cans
£2.50
USP: Accolade’s Hardys is set to launch a new canned format in June. Hardys cans will launch in three popular wine varietals – Rosé, Chardonnay and Shiraz – across all channels.
Accolade’s Wise Wolf
£11 each
USP: Wise Wolf by Banrock Station is a new carbon neutral range that comes in bottles made using 100% post-consumer recycled glass cullets. The French range of wines consists of a Pays D’OC Chardonnay, Rosé and Cabernet Sauvignon. The labels are made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper and the closures are made from 100% recycled plastic.
Bodegas Hidalgo La Gitana En Rama
£17
USP: The spring 2022 release of Bodegas Hidalgo La Gitana En Rama is now available in the UK. Made from free run juice, La Gitana En Rama has spent eight years in solera, using old American oak casks from the San Luis winery under a layer, or flor, formed by the yeasts. En Rama dry sherry is aged and drawn directly from separate barrels and is released biannually in rhythm with the natural flor cycle.
Hattingley Valley Still Rosé 2021
£102 (case of six bottles)
USP: Made from a blend of Pinot Precoce, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, this rosé has been “pressed and cool-fermented in stainless steel tanks, lightly filtered and put straight to bottle in order to retain its vibrant fruit characters”.
Treasury Wine Estates’ Squealing Pig Rosé
£8-10
USP: TWE is adding an Italian Pinot Grigio Rosé to its Squealing Pig UK grocery portfolio. The first rosé to launch in the regional portfolio, the new variant aims to target the 18-35 age category of wine drinkers. To drive awareness of the launch, the brand will be the official wine sponsor of Brighton and Hove Pride and will also appear at Leeds Pride.
Churchill’s 2020 Vintage Port and Churchill’s Quinta da Gricha 2020 Vintage Port
RRP: £75 and £55, respectively
US: Churchill’s 2020 Vintage Port production is 3200 cases (6 x 75cl) and Churchill’s Quinta da Gricha 2020 Vintage Port is 600 cases, representing 10% of the estate’s port production that year. The vintages will be available from New Generation Wines and Tanner’s.
