Allied Domecq has introduced Stolichnaya elit in nine U.S. markets, following a successful test run in California. The ultra-luxury vodka began its rollout in November, and included NYC, Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, Miami and Philadelphia. This month, Dallas and Houston, TX and Phoenix, AZ, will also receive the product. Stoli elit is produced with a Russian recipe hundreds of years old, the company says, and uses a unique “freeze filtration process.” It carries a suggested retail price of $59.99 per 750 ml bottle.
Diageo launched Johnnie Walker Green Label nationwide, its fifth in 184 years. Known as Johnnie Walker Pure Malt in 1997, the product has been previously available in limited markets and global duty-free. Made from 15 mature Speyside and Island Malt whiskies, Green Label carries a suggested retail of $50. Green joins the other four Johnnie Walker labels: Red, Black, Gold and Blue.
Brown-Forman Beverages Worldwide has launched a line extension to the venerable Bolla wine brand: 2003 Bolla Chianti DOCG. Made primarily from sangiovese grapes, the wine has a suggested retail of $9.99 for a 750 ml. It is also available in 1.5 liter packages. In addition, the Bolla brand has revitalized the pac kaging on its entire lineup of wines and has launched an aggressive new national ad campaign with an estimated budget of $12 million.
Canandaigua Wine has launched Taylor Madeira, positioned as a popular cooking wine for low-carb-conscious consumers. The New York State-produced dessert wine has a smooth, nutty, sherry-like character, the company says. As part of the product launch, Taylor Madeira is offering recipes for carb-conscious dieters on bottle neckers and its website (www.taylordesserts.com). It’s available in 750 ml bottles and has a suggested retail price of $5.99.
Heaven Hill Distilleries has released its new Evan Williams Single Barrel 1995 Vintage Bourbon. Each bottle of Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage Bourbon is marked with the exact dates that it was placed in oak and bottled, in addition to the exact serial number of the single barrel from which it was drawn. All previous vintages have sold out. The 86.6 proof spirit is available nationally at an average retail price of $24.99 for a 750 ml bottle.
Brown-Forman Beverages Worldwide has debuted a new label for Early Times Kentucky Whiskey, the first label update in more than a decade, the company says. While contemporizing the design, the label also features a close connection to its heritage by reproducing a map of Kentucky right on the label.
Champagne G.H.Mumm has added to its line of champagnes in the U.S. with the launch of Joyesse, which means “to exist in joy.” The Reims, France-based house describes the deep golden yellow wine ($41 suggested retail) as a rich and stylish new demi-sec. The cuvee is a blend of 35% Pinot Noir, 50% Pinot Meunier and 15% Chardonnay, one-quarter of which are reserve wines Allied Domecq markets and imports Mumm Champagnes.
Casa Lapostolle, the boutique Chilean wine from Schieffelin & Co., has a new label design. The new label is intended to convey a contemporary feeling as well as recalling the tradition of the Marnier Lapostolle family, the company says.
Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines expanded its portfolio of Solaris wines. New varietals included a lush Carneros pinot noir, a refreshing North Coast chardonnay, a merlot and a cabernet sauvignon, both from Napa (ranging from $12 to $15). Launched in 2003, the line has a distinctive black label with swirling red flare.
In a welcomed annual occurrence, Georges Dubouef released its 2004 Beaujolais Nouveau. The wine, imported by W.J. Deutsch & Sons, is said to be fruity, crisp and harmonious and retails for between $8.99 and $9.99 for a 750 ml bottle
Freixenet USA has introduced Fra Guerau 2001, a boutique still wine from the Montsant area of Spain. It is the latest addition to the Heredad Collection, Freixenet’s line of Spanish wines. The deep purple-hued wine, named after a fabled 12th century monk, has a suggested retail price of $12.
Voyant Chai Cream, a chai-flavored spirit, has been launched in the U.S., at a suggested retail price of $23.99 for 750 ml. The 12.5% ABV product is a cream liqueur, which combines rum aged in oak casks, Dutch cream, Indian black tea, chai spices and pure vanilla. Holland-based Bacmar International is the producer and importer.
Rhum Clement has introduced Premiere Canne, a superpremium white rum from France, to the U.S. market. Premiere Canne is made from Martinique sugar cane rather than molasses, making it more “blendable” for cocktails. Premiere Canne, with a suggested priced of $25, “creates a new category” for superpremium white rums, according to the company. Clement USA, the New York-based subsidiary, is the importer and distributor.
Glass Mountain, a second label of Markham Vineyards in Napa Valley, is launching a redesigned label emphasizing the connection with Markham Vineyards, with the phrase “by Markham” below the Glass Mountain name. The label also features an image of vine rows stretching to the horizon, replacing the mountain image on the previous label. Glass Mountain is marketed by Paterno Wines International.
Diageo has debuted Caraluna, a caramel-flavored cordial, in South Florida and Phoenix, AZ, aimed at the Hispanic market. The new liqueur is based on dulce de leche, a caramel-flavored dessert well known and liked in Latin America. Caraluna, an after-dinner sipper, blends the flavors of rum, cream and the caramel syrup (suggested retail $21).
