Tulleeho.com in the New York Times! - the beverage workshops and other experiences organised by Tulleeho.com have found mention in an article on changing food habits in India - "As cash flows in, India goes out to eat" - The New York Times requires a log in and password and those of you who need one can use tulleeho and tulleeho.

Mason and Summers has launched in several markets across the country, Glendrummond, which is a 8-year-old Speyside single malt from Knockdhu ("Black Hill" in Gaelic) distillery. Mason and Summers has also launched Royal Crown whisky in India.

Grover Vineyards has launched a new white wine - Viognier Clairette (a blend of the Viognier and Clairette grape). A relatively dry white wine, it's believed to be the replacement for the Blanc de Blanc (which uses only Clairette).
 

More action in the wine segment, as Sula launches a couple of premium products : Sula Late Harvest Chenin Blanc ( a dessert white wine ) and Sula Dindori Reserve Shiraz ( a red ). Priced at a premium, they went down quite well at a recent wine appreciation workshop we had for 20 odd foreigners who wanted to be exposed to Indian wine.
 

UDV India is now Diageo India and they have a new man at the helm : Ravi Rajagopal, who is an old UDV India hand who went on to bigger and better things with Diageo across the globe - from Thailand to the UK, where he was last Group Financial Controller for a handful of countries - looks like a man on the fast track.
 

Expected to be priced at a premium level of Rs. 50/- for a 650 ml,Cobra has launched its bottled-in-India beer, via a collaboration with Mount Shivalik breweries.
 

With the takeover of Shaw Wallace Spirits, Mr. Mallya is all set to rule the roost. A new entity called United Spirits will emerge which consolidates Mcdowell's, Shaw Wallace Spirits, Triumph Distillers and a few other spirits companies under one roof. As a liquor company CEO said recently, the Chairman of the new company is going to be in a position similiar to a race horse owner who owns all the horses in the race! An apt simile.
 

Allied Domecq has launched a new campaign in the UK for Stolichnaya, its premium vodka. The campaign has been dubbed as the "Frozen" campaign with ads reinforcing the fact that vodka is best served at frosty temperatures and which further reinforce the brand's Russian heritage.
 

The Swiss government has said the legal production of the spirit absinthe will begin in the country in March after a ban of nearly 100 years.
 

Anheuser-Busch Cos. has launched a new "brew" to go head-to-head with classic mixed drinks - this drink is spiked with caffeine, fruit flavoring, herbal guarana and ginseng. It's called B-to-the-E.

Anheuser-Busch is set to add a watermelon-flavored malt beverage to its Bacardi Silver range. Watermelon is the latest flavor addition to the Bacardi Silver family that includes Bacardi Silver O3, Bacardi Silver RAZ, Bacardi Silver Low Carb Black Cherry, Bacardi Silver Low Carb Green Apple and the original Bacardi Silver.

Following the successful launches of Malibu Pineapple and Malibu Mango last year, Allied Domecq has unveiled its newest flavored rum offering, Malibu Passion Fruit, which will be launched in the US beginning April 15.

Moet Hennessy has revealed plans to launch a new rum in the US. '10Cane' is expected to be introduced in spring 2005. Moet said that 10 Cane is set to become the world's premier prestige rum. Originating from Trinidad, 10 Cane is created through a multi-stage, small batch distillation of high quality cane juice. According to its maker, the aim of this process is to create a rum that combines a complexity of aromas with a rich, smooth texture.

Jose Cuervo has launched a ready-to-serve margarita containing Grand Marnier, Jose Cuervo Gold Tequila and lime.

Vinexpo is returning to Hong Kong next year, according to press reports. Decanter reported recently that Vinexpo which originally visited Hong Kong in 1998, returns to the city on 23 May 2006 for three days.

 

Diageo takes over US wine company Chalone Wine Group for US$260m.

Ciroc is a bit of a rare 'un. It's distilled exclusively from French grapes, and no ordinary grapes, but snap frost grapes grown exclusively in the Gaillac region of France. The grapes are then used to produce a wine using cold fermentation. Ciroc is then distilled 5 times!

What are 'snap frost grapes' you ask - While most grapes are harvested in early autumn, snap frost grapes continue to ripen on vines into the late fall and early winter. Then frosty temperatures actually freeze the grapes on the vine. The grapes are then quickly picked and pressed. Because the sweet juice of the grape has a lower freezing point than water, juice is extracted, while frozen water crystals remain behind in the press. Snap frost grapes yield a liquid that is higher in sugar content and grape essence.

An Irishman walks into a bar in Dublin, orders three pints of Guinness and sits in the back of the room, drinking a sip out of each one in turn. When he finishes them, he comes back to the bar and orders three more. The bartender asks him, "You know, a pint goes flat after I draw it; it would taste better if you bought one at a time." The Irishman replies, "Well, you see, I have two brothers. One is in America, the other in Australia, and I'm here in Dublin. When we all left home, we promised that we'd drink this way to remember the days when we drank together." The bartender admits that this is a nice custom, and leaves it there.

The Irishman becomes a regular in the bar, and always drinks the same way : ordering three pints and drinking them in turn. One day, he comes in and orders two pints. All the other regulars notice and fall silent. When he comes back to the bar for the second round, the bartender says, "I don't want to intrude on your grief, but I wanted to offer my condolences on your great loss." The Irishman looks confused for a moment, then a light dawns in his eye and he laughs. "Oh, no," he says, "Everyone's fine. I've just quit drinking."

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).

If you would like to receive sms Tulleeho Alcobev News-alerts, please mail us your mobile number.

If you do not wish to receive this newsletter please send us a mail with the subject unsubscribe. Forward this newsletter to your friends and colleagues. To submit your own news to our editorial team, mail news.