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.

Green Point takes its name from a spur of land in Victoria and is one of the few vineyards established by Moet-Hennessy outside France. Green Point has launched a range of very drinkable wines into the Indian market : a Chardonnay, a Brut, a Pinot Noir and a Shiraz.

United Breweries Ltd has entered into a manufacturing and distribution pact with Independent Liquor of New Zealand to take its flagship beer Kingfisher Premium Lager Down Under. Kingfisher has already been listed in Woolworth's, Australia's largest grocer and a leading liquor retailer. Good to see an Indian brand flying high!
 

The Robert Mondavi Corporation is selling off its premium brands, its vineyards and one of the world's most famous wineries - its Oakville headquarters.

The corporation is divesting itself of all its luxury wines which include a 50% share in Opus One and its dedicated Napa Valley winery co-owned with the Rothschild family.

For more news on this subject read the Decanter story.
 

The Macallan has recently unveiled a new single malt product range - called Fine Oak, which will spearhead a drive to increase the brand’s market share. The secret behind "Fine Oak", lies in its maturation in carefully selected European and American oak casks, which have previously held Sherry or Bourbon, resulting in a particularly smooth, delicate and light single malt.

Fine Oak will be rolled out world-wide from this month.
 

Increasing consolidation in the global beer market as Adolph Coors Co. and Molson, Inc. agreed to merge, thereby creating a new company that will be the world's fifth-largest brewer by volume, with combined sales of $6 billion.

The combined company's beverage portfolio includes Coors Light, Molson Canadian and Carling.

The deal combines Coors, the third-largest U.S. brewer with 11% market share and the second-largest brewer in the U.K. with a market share of 21%, with Molson, Canada's leading brewer, with 43% market share and the third-largest brewer in Brazil, with 11% market share.

TSAB's new campaign will highlight its role in the South African economy and society, the brewery stated. The company is also to revamp and redesign its corporate identity, which was last changed in the early 1980s. South African Breweries' old beer tankard corporate identity is being replaced with a circular design.

SAB Ltd Managing Director Tony van Kralingen commented: "Together, the new identity and corporate brand campaign reflect our confidence, inspiration and values, represent our ethics, help to enhance our reputation and anchor all that makes us who we are. They communicate our accountability and the difference we make in the lives of South Africans."

Absolut Raspberri follows on the heels of Absolut Vanilia as another case of clever spelling. Absolut R will become the first Absolut vodka to go on TV in the US.

Close on the heels of Bacardi's acquisition of Grey Goose, news has filtered around that Diageo may be acquiring the Dutch vodka brand, Ursus. Ursus has an interesting variant called Ursus Roter, which is a Red Vodka (a mix of sloe berries and Ursus!).

I remember visiting the website and listening to how Glenmorangie's pronounced. Well I hope such folksy touches are retained as the brand changes hands with Brown-Forman and Bacardi-Martini reportedly both in the fray. If Bacardi buys it, it should lead to interesting developments in the Indian market as Brown-Forman currently markets Glenmorangie in India and William Grant (makers of Glenfiddich and more..) with Bacardi. Independent Scotch Whisky companies have had rather rough going in India. Anyway, the Mcdonald Family who own Glenmorangie, are expecting upwards of 150 million pounds, so Mr. Mallya this is your big chance.

 

The re-emergence of Malibu as a top brand is thanks to cranberry juice, according to brand owners Allied Domecq. The 'magic' berry is one of the central reasons behind Malibu emerging from the doldrums and enjoying a massive revival in fortunes.

New Allied campaigns for Malibu focus on Malibu and Cranberry as well as on activity involving Shaggy, the international face of Malibu. Well, Shaggy is due to visit India, but Romanov is a co-sponsor of his visit and we all know what happened to Malibu in India.

Plan B is a new on-trade campaign in the UK, with the programme aimed at improving the quality of sales by improving consumer understanding of the brand and raising the quality of serve by bartenders. We do wonder what happened to Plan A though.

Mohit Agarwal has taken over from Ashu Kaul as Marketing Manager for Johnnie Walker (and other Scotch brands), Aditi Chauhan Mukherji has taken over from Yasmin as Business development manager for wine at Seagram's.. Industry buzz is that Seagram's is on the prowl for an Indian vineyard.
 

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Read about Tulleeho in Corporate Dossier, the Economic Times 


Smirnoff Tastemaker Session - Agni, The Park, 3rd October, Delhi. To book your place Register Here .

 

During prohibition, WC Fields was asked why, if he didn't have a drinking problem, did he buy 300 cases of gin before it started. He replied : "I didn't think it would last that long."

Tulleeho is a marketing and technology services provider for the alcoholic beverage and related sectors. To know more about what we do read our  About Us

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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