Top 10 new products in August

Torres Reserva de Pueblo, País 2012

We chanced upon this gem during a recent trip to Chile. Having already championed País – traditionally a widely planted workhorse grape brought over by the Spaniards to Chile in the 1550s – in the form of pink sparkler Santa Digna Estelado Rosé, Torres is fighting for the underdog grape again in a single varietal example made from old bush vine País.

Around 70% of the wine undergoes carbonic maceration to draw out its fruity characteristics, enhance colour and soften the tannins. Fresh, bright and packed with red fruit, it boasts notes of raspberry, strawberry and red cherry reminiscent of a Beaujolais cru, with a perfumed nose and hints of spice on the finish. And at just 12% abv, it’s ideal to chill down for summertime drinking.

Having fallen for it during a recent tasting at the winery, The Wine Society has taken it on, with Torres bottling a special line under screwcap for the UK. RRP: £7.50

Jacquart Cuvée Alpha 2005

This new prestige cuvée from Champagne Jacquart is a vintage blend taken from four crus on the Montagne de Reims: Mailly, Verzenay, Villers-Marmery and Trépail.

Formed of 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Chardonnay, Alpha is the first major new launch for Jacquart in some years, replacing the house’s non-vintage cuvée Nominée. Managing director Laurent Reinteau refers to the fizz as his version of Dom Pérignon’s library cuvée Oenothèque. According to Reinteau, the 2005 vintage had “absolutely ideal weather conditions” that brought the grapes to “optimum” maturity.

Ultra brut in style, with 7g/l dosage, Alpha is aged for six years on the lees. Quantities are small, with only a few thousand bottles of the inaugural vintage having been produced.

Floriane Eznack, Jacquart’s winemaker, describes Alpha as the start of an experiment. “Each vintage will express a certain standard aiming at one day creating the ultimate blend,” she said. RRP: £75

Auchentoshan Virgin Oak

Scotch whisky producer Auchentoshan is looking to “challenge entrenched beliefs” with the release of a whisky solely matured in virgin North American oak casks.

Auchentoshan brand ambassador Gordon Dundas told db that the virgin oak release is largely thanks to the work done by Morrison Bowmore’s master blender Rachel Barrie, who has been experimenting with different casks and that he thinks virgin oak could soon become a new global trend.

Dundas said: “This is a pioneering whisky and proves what can be done with wood.

“Every time you taste the Auchentoshan Virgin Oak, you can pick up different flavours. I think this new release will dispel a lot of myths surrounding the maturation process.”

With an initial wood spice and orange sweetness on the nose, the 46% abv Auchentoshan whisky delivers a thick mouth feel, which Dundas said was probably the impact of the wood. The whisky is non-chill filtered and is now available with an RRP of £69.99.

Kappa Pisco

Marnier Lapostolle, owner of the Grand Marnier liqueur brand, is launching a super-premium pisco from Chile’s Elqui Valley in the UK through Spirit Cartel. The brainchild of seventh generation member of the Marnier Lapostolle family, Charles de Bournet, Kappa is made from 100% Muscat grapes grown in the cool climate region of Elqui.

Capitalising on his family’s Cognac making expertise, de Bournet has brought a cutting edge copper alembic still from Cognac to Chile in which to make the pisco. “I’m a big pisco fan and wanted to bring something new to the market and create a new super-premium category,” de Bournet said.

“I’m targeting the top mixologists in London. There’s been a real buzz building around pisco in the capital recently, which spurred me to launch Kappa in the UK,” he enthused. RRP: tbc

Red Stripe stubby edition

With summer having finally arrived, Jamaican lager Red Stripe has introduced its cherished “stubby” bottle to the UK for the first time. Smaller than the long neck currently found here, the new bottle offers the brand’s authentic Jamaican shape, with its short neck, flat form and large base.

The stubby contains the same brew as before: “full bodied with butterscotch aromas and a smooth taste”, according to its makers, who were keen to communicate the brand’s provenance and heritage to UK consumers.

The 300ml, 4.7% abv stubby has made its debut in the on-trade but will be rolled out across the off-trade early next year. “The stubby is so distinctive from the other bottles available in the UK. We hope our customers are drawn to its uniqueness and enjoy their Red Stripes short and stubby just as much as those in Jamaica do,” said Claire Prat, Red Stripe’s brand manager.

Marqués de Cáceres Bio Rioja 2012

Rioja stalwart Marqués de Cáceres has launched its first organic Rioja. Bio, which was unveiled at Vinexpo Bordeaux in June, contains 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano from a 14-hectare organic single vineyard near the Marqués de Cáceres winery in Cenicero.

According to Anne Vallejo, PR and marketing manager for the estate, around 50,000 bottles have been made of the wine, which will be principally sold in the on-trade in Norway and Finland. The wine has a “young and fruity” character according to Vallejo, due to the use of carbonic maceration for the organically-grown grapes.

Diezmo Tequila Coffee Infusion

Having previously launched Diezmo Tequila and Chocolate, Tequila Corralejo is adding to its flavoured range with a coffee variant.

Dipping into Mexico’s rich coffee history, the 750ml Diezmo Tequila Coffee Infusion is a liqueur created from fresh roasted coffee beans harvested in the Mexican highland region of Chiapas.

The beans are infused with Tequila for 20 days giving, according to its makers, “an authentic coffee aroma and subtle flavour.” Diezmo Tequila Coffee Infusion made its world debut this year at the TFWA Asia Pacific Conference in Singapore.

Crabbie’s Cloudy Alcoholic Lemonade

Those quirky chaps at Crabbie’s have gone retro on us with the launch of Crabbie’s Cloudy Alcoholic Lemonade. Created to offer alternative serves and draw new consumers to the brand, the new flavour is the result of consumer research, where a cloudy lemonade variant received incredibly positive feedback, particularly from consumers in the 22-35 year age bracket.

Currently only available in the on-trade, Halewood International is looking into expanding the brand into the off-trade, and is currently in talks with a number of major retailers. Weighing in at 4% abv, the drink is crafted using natural lemons and is best served ice-cold.

“The launch of Cloudy Alcoholic Lemonade represents a fresh approach for the Crabbie’s brand, which is looking to pioneer new forms of refreshment. Consumer research indicated a real demand for this product,” said Richard Clark, director of innovation at Halewood International.

Martini Gran Luss

To celebrate Martini’s 150th birthday, the Italian vermouth brand has launched a limited edition run of Martini Gran Lusso. A single batch of Gran Lusso vermouth has been in the making for eight years, with the final bottling limited to 150,000 worldwide.

Gran Lusso has been handcrafted by the brand’s master herbalist, Ivano Tonutti, and master blender Giuseppe Musso, specifically with vintage cocktails in mind.

Made using a base of Barbera grapes from Piedmont and Trebbiano from neighboring Emilia-Romagna, Gran Lusso combines two unique extracts: Moscato must from Canelli aged for a year in oak and “extract 94”.

The makers says, “The honey softness of the aged Moscato provides a sweet taste, while, with hints of lavender and rose, the softness of the Barbera provides a unique smoothness to the drink.” RRP: £21.50.

Famous Grouse 40 Year Old

Whisky fans looking for a splash out spend this summer should consider this fine specimen housed in an elegant decanter designed by clever Scottish creatives, Timorous Beasties.

Just 276 decanters of The Famous Grouse 40 Year Old blend have been made, with only 50 on sale in the UK. Each is hand-engraved with a bespoke design of the brand’s iconic red grouse perched in foliage. Bottles are sealed with a Scottish silver stopper and come in a luxury wooden gift box. Having been matured in ex-Sherry casks, each of the whiskies in the blend was carefully selected for its unique character.

“This is an intensely fruity, fragrant and slightly spicy whisky. On the nose you have ripe mango, crushed coriander, cardamom and dill with a hint of sandalwood. The palate offers sweetness with banana and citrus, along with gingerbread and a light peat smoke – it’s a real joy,” gushed master blender Gordon Motion. RRP: £2,000