A recent complaint against Blossom Hill’s first canned spritz product, Blossom Hill Spritz, has been upheld by the Portman Group’s Independent Complaints Panel. The complaint against the Blossom Hill Spritz 25cl can was upheld against Code paragraph 3.1: The alcoholic nature of a drink should be communicated on its packaging with absolute clarity. The Panel noted that while there were some indicators of alcoholic content…

Aldi is launching an ice cava, which it hopes will be “the drink of the summer” after winemakers across Europe fuelled the trend for chilled bubbly. It noted that while Moet & Chandon’s Ice Imperial Champagne sells for up to £59.99, Aldi shoppers can pick up the Jaume Serra Ice Cava for just £6.99. The drink is said to be best enjoyed in a large…

The Wine Society has announced it is not taking any new orders and it will stop making any deliveries, with immediate effect. In a statement to its members, chief executive officer, Steve Finlan, said: “The Prime Minister’s statement was very clear that the single most important action we can all take in fighting coronavirus is to stay at home in order to protect the…

The Symington family has declared 2016 a Vintage Port year, marking the fourth vintage declaration only for all of its Port companies since 2000 and the first since “the magnificent” 2011. The company said the 2015/ 16 winter was wetter than average, which provided a “vital counterbalance” to the hot Douro summer. It noted that some started picking during the hot September but it said…

Aldi has reported record festive sales for 2016 supported by strong sales for its Prosecco, alongside low-priced festive veg. The discount retailer said it sold more than two million bottles of Prosecco – equivalent to almost 69,000 bottles a day – throughout the month of December. In total it sold more than 13.5m bottles of wine, Champagne and Prosecco during December. Aldi also noted that…

Diageo has been warned that its future advertising must not link alcohol with daringness or toughness after the watchdog banned a Captain Morgan ad featuring a daredevil buccaneer.  The ad features crowds cheering while the pirate races a carriage through a square, discovers treasure in a cave, strips off and swims in the sea. A viewer complained that it linked alcohol with daring, toughness and…

Exports of Alsace wines to the UK have grown 27.8% in volume in the first seven months of 2013, according to regional body IVA (Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins d’Alsace). CIVA said that is well ahead of global export growth of 3.1% and noted that Ireland too has experienced a strong increase of 25.4%. Export Manager Foulques Aulagnon said: “We are delighted with these positive figures,…