Caterer and Hotelkeeper – 19342
Gin sings
Tried and tested by a trusty Caterer volunteer, Ginzing, the latest launch from United Distillers UK (UDUK), gets the thumbs-up. Actually, it's a relaunch: the packaging is louder and the marketing budget is bigger. Aimed at "cutting-edge bars and clubs", UDUK fused classic Western drink (Gordon's gin) with a handful of Eastern and Latin American herbs, among them Korean ginseng and Brazilian guarana. "A bit of a buzz" was reported after downing the bottle. For more information and a bar-full of point-of-sale material, contact UDUK on 01738 621111.
Awe-struck Aussie
When Australian wine-maker Rob Bowen visited the Kinnaird Hotel, Dunkeld, Tayside, on a customer "familiarisation" trip, he was so impressed by what he saw, he decided to name his new wine after it. Kinnaird Shiraz from the Capel Vale Winery in Western Australia is now available from local wholesalers, Perth-based Lloyd Taylor Wines (01738 840494).
Chianti win
Malt House Vintners are wearing the cheesiest of grins - their Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 1993 picked up a coveted gold award at this year's International Wine Challenge. So, in a rash of goodwill, the Chianti, along with a few other full-bodied reds, is being offered at £28.39 for a case of 6 x 75cl at your local Booker branch.
Wine consumption up
According to a new report, some 675 million litres of alcoholic grape juice (worth £4.4b) were drunk in the UK last year, compared with 550 million litres in 1992. Publicity over health benefits has helped push up consumption, says the report's author, Datamonitor.
New World wines are growing in popularity, although French wines still make up a third of what is glugged in the UK, adds Datamonitor. German wines come second in the popularity stakes, with 16% of sales, followed by Italy with 13% and Australia with 9% (up 20% on 1992). Wines from Chile and South Africa are also spiralling upwards, along with Spain and Italy. But we still drink only a seventh as much wine per person as the French, it says. Keep drinking.
… And keep talking
Taking a leaf out of Caterer's book, literally, Matthew Clark Wholesale's marketing department has come up with a monthly mag called Table Talk. Aimed at hotels and restaurants, the publication aims to keep customers up to speed on promotions, deals, launches and competitions. For pub, club and leisure customers, there is also Bar Talk - similar information but specially focused for this sector.
