Info for this newsletter has been culled from a number of sources. Wherever applicable we will include an acknowledgement / link to the source material. We intend to give you this update at a monthly interval.

Shaw Wallace & Co Ltd is planning a national re-launch of its India’s Pride Rum. The company has re-launched the rum in the 50,00,000-case Kolkata rum market. According to the company officials, the brand has been launched with a new blend, new imagery, new packaging as well as new positioning.

So far primarily a player in the whisky market, Radico Khaitan plans to launch vodka and gin brands at different price points. They plan to release a regular vodka and are in talks with 4 international players in re their entry into the premium vodka segment.

Bangladesh based Crown Beverages has faithfully copied both Foster's and Carlsberg's branding in their two new beers - Crown and Hunter. Not only that they have launched in Bangladesh by taking advantage of a loophole in the country's anti-alcohol legislation. The 1990 Drug Control Act outlaws beer in the country, but in order to permit the use of medical alcohol, beer is defined as a brewed malt and hops based drink containing - crucially - between 5% and 8.5% alcohol by volume (ABV). Crown Beverages has simply produced a beer with less than 5% ABV, technically making it a malt beverage.

Pakistan cricket authorities have banned alcohol advertisements on cricket grounds during the series against India, officials said on Sunday. ...

Gallo has introduced two of their wines from Ecco Domani® Vineyards (translated it means, "Here's tomorrow,"). The two varietals launched are Pinot Grigio delle Venezie 2001, and Chianti (Sangiovese) DOCG 2001.

Chivas has created a cocktail specifically for the tour—the Chivas BunnyTini—made with Chivas scotch, cherry liquor and orange juice. An interactive sweepstakes at www.Chivascircle.com/playboy gives consumers a chance to win tickets to the final event, a 50th anniversary party at the Playboy Mansion to be held June 10 in Los Angeles.

Malibu which passed into the ownership of Allied Domecq from Diageo, sometime back has launched two new flavour variants globally - Malibu Caribbean Rum with pineapple flavor and Malibu Caribbean Rum with mango flavor. Those of us who miss the brand in India, wish that Allied would atleast relaunch "bottled in India" Malibu. Anyone out there listening ?

William Grant and Sons has launched a new spiced rum (Sailor Jerry), and a super premium gin containing cucumber and rose petals. Sailor Jerry is a blend of Caribbean rum, vanilla, lime and spices and is named after Sailor Jerry Collins, the founding father of modern tattoo art. The gin launched is called Hendrick’s, which is a super premium gin made in Scotland.

Heineken and Groupe SEB have teamed up to create a draught beer system to be used at home. It's called a Beer Tender and it consists of an appliance and keg which is said to be compact and very easy to use. The company claims that it is the first kind that allows consumers to enjoy a perfect pint of Heineken in the comfort of their own home.

We suppose it was only a matter of time before the wine companies jumped into the RTD arena, and what better brand than Blue Nun, which is one of the world's largest mass market wines (imported into India by Mount Shivalik). Well, Slinky is the new ready-to-drink (RTD) version of revived wine brand Blue Nun. It targets women searching for more sophisticated and stylish RTD drinks. The launch is in tune with the change in women's drinking habits.

The makers of Jose Cuervo have offered the city of Los Angeles $1 million to place the words "Cuervo Nation" beneath the city's best-known landmark, the Hollywood sign, for one year. Jose Cuervo would also like to have Cinco de Mayo, the Mexican holiday, designated as the city's official holiday and margaritas made with Cuervo named the official drink for people age 21 and over.

Allied Domecq has inked a licensing agreement with Seattle-based Da Vinci Gourmet, to produce Kahlua flavored syrups. Da Vinci will also launch Kahlua flavored sauces later this year.

Interbrew has just launched a beer in France, named ExtraKriek, aimed specifically at female consumers who traditionally avoid beer. The recipes is said to take the bitterness out of the beer and accentuates fruitiness. The bottle is also packaged in red plastic film (taking inspiration from the cosmetics sector).

California-based E&J Gallo is planning to launch a new French wine named Red Bicyclette, destined for the American market this summer. The label is beleived to feature an affable Frenchman riding a red bicycle, with baguettes in the basket and a dog alongside. The label will also be in English and represents an attempt to demystify wine.

Ashish Bahl has moved out as marketing manager, Castle and has been replaced by Bharat Shastry, who joins SWBL from Cadbury's - from chocolate to beer, now that's a tough move! Jeff Mcdonald who served Bacardi ably as their Marketing Director in India has moved back to home base. Ashish Mishra, ex Marketing Director for Bacardi, has joined Katra, a start up in the liquor industry based out of Bangalore. Rumours are running high about E&J Gallo shifting their home base for the region to Malaysia. For a brand which is the number one imported wine in the country, that would be sad.

Tulleeho recently conducted it's first beverage appreciation program for a corporate. We conducted the Tulleeho Wine Experience, a 3 hour long wine workshop for executives from Accenture (formerly Andersen Consulting) in Delhi & Mumbai. 3 hours of gyan and wine left the audience in a suitably pleasurable mood.

Tulleeho is a marketing and technology services provider for the alcoholic beverage and related sectors. To know more about what we do log on to www.tulleeho.com/about_us.asp

Tull-ee-ho! : A combination of the old hunting cry Tally Ho! and the colloquial Hindi word "tullee" (used both as verb and noun, and signifying a state of inebriation).

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