New Launches

Indage Vintners introduces 'recession-friendly' wines

Indage Vintners has introduced a range of value-for-money wines, launched from the Chateau Indage and Indage Vineyards portfolio and offers attractive packaging, better quality combined with lower prices. The wines introduced are Trio, Mojo, Silverton, Blue Elephant and South Bay, all priced between Rs 100-400. Launched to cater to the 'new wine drinker', it offers easy and affordable drinking option with screw caps and good quality wines in red and white varietals. The wines are being produced at Indage vineyard and winery at Narayangaon.

Indage Vintners has also entered into a joint venture with Cavit, an Italian wine company based in Trentino. Cavit is engaged in the production, sales and distribution of high quality still and sparkling wines in Italy with annual sales of more than €180 million. Indage and Cavit will form a business alliance through this joint venture company. Palladio Pransa and DB Sviluppo, India and Italy based financial advisory firms were involved in initiating this JV between the two companies.

Diageo unveils Guatemalan rum, Zacapa

Aged at an altitude of 2,300 meters above sea level, Zacapa Rum is a blend made from the first-crushed, virgin sugarcane grown in Guatemala's fertile volcanic soil. Brought to India by Diageo, Zacapa Rum has deep aroma, full colour and rich flavours of caramel, toasted hazelnut and nutmeg. Unlike most rum, which uses molasses as their base, Zacapa Rum uses only the first press of the sugar cane, described as 'virgin sugar cane honey' that becomes the basis for the unique taste of Zacapa.

It uses a solera system aging process, with the rum being laid to rest in selected barrels that previously aged robust bourbons, delicate sherries and fine Pedro Ximenez wines. Hand wrapped in royal palm leaves and produced from a blend of vintage rums with up to 23 years of barrel age, Zacapa is best served neat or on the rocks. The range includes Zacapa Centenario 23 and the ultra premium Zacapa Centenario XO, priced at Rs 4,700 and Rs 10,000 respectively.

Wines by Four Seasons Wines

Four Seasons Wines, a subsidiary of United Spirits, has launched its portfolio of Four Seasons Varietal wines across the country. These wines are made at Baramati, near Pune. Under the guidance of winemaker and director, Abhay Kewadkar, Four Seasons offers Indian wine in five varietals - Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Blush. These grapes are carefully selected from grape growers of the surrounding Baramati region.