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Top spirits exhibitors at ProWein 2018
By Nicola CarruthersProWein may be one of the world’s biggest wine shows, but the number of spirits brands exhibiting there is increasing, with a focus on craft.
The organisers of leading wine and spirits trade show ProWein are gearing up to welcome thousands of visitors and exhibitors to the 2018 event, set to take place in Düsseldorf from 18-20 March. More than 6,700 exhibitors from 60 countries will arrive in Germany, along with an expected 60,000 attendees, for one of the drinks industry’s biggest events, to be held at the Messe Düsseldorf exhibition centre.
While wine is ProWein’s predominant focus, with all relevant wine-growing regions in the world represented, approximately 400 spirits exhibitors are also expected.
For the first time this year, there will be a new ‘Craft’ area in Hall 7. Following a survey taken at last year’s ProWein, ProWein director Marius Berlemann has introduced the theme after nearly half of the visitors displayed “an avid interest” in craft products.
“Instead of presenting unusual approaches for producing and marketing wines as before, the special show is now dedicated exclusively to the craft theme,” says Berlemann.
Out of the 70 exhibitors in the Craft area, 40 of these are spirits producers, including Revolte Rum and Siegfried Rheinland Dry Gin, while Peruvian spirits such as pisco will also be represented. Suppliers of craft spirits, beer and cider from Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Australia, Chile, Peru and South Africa will be there too.
For those who are keen to tap into cocktail trends, the Fizzz Lounge, which was introduced in 2016, will also move to the Same but Different hall. “This way we can offer the international bar and gastronomy audience a perfect setting,” adds Berlemann.
This year’s Fizzz Lounge theme will focus on ‘Hygge Drinks’ – the Danish concept that encompasses a feeling of cozy contentment – with four leading bartenders presenting their exclusive hygge creations for visitors. Arnd Henning Heißen from Berlin’s Ritz Carlton, German bartender Marian Krause, Marie Rause from Rotkehlchen restaurant, and Stephan Hinz, owner of Cologne’s Little Link bar, will all take over the cocktail lounge during the three-day event. There will also be a palinka tasting, a WSET masterclass in balancing cocktail components, and a whisky tasting. “The spirits section at ProWein has grown in recent years, and the prospects for 2018 are once again the best: more than 400 suppliers are presenting their broadly structured range, including international market leaders, as well as smaller producers and importers, who are showing exceptional new products and regional-specific treasures,” says Berlemann.
The spirits hall, Hall 12, will be divided by category: whisky, brandy and Cognac, liqueurs, gin and vodka.
A regular attender to the event is German spirits group Borco, which hopes to expand its network during the annual event. “As a family business, we believe in the strength of personal meetings and we are also keen on enlarging our network,” says Tina Ingwersen-Matthiesen, member of the Borco board and part of the Borco owner family. “ProWein in Düsseldorf has grown to be one of the most important and leading international wine and spirits trade fairs. It allows us to meet existing and potential new partners.”
Looking ahead, Berlemann adds: “Our long-term goal will be to expand the craft section and to sharpen the spirits concept in general.”
The next edition of ProWein will be held in Düsseldorf from 17-19 March 2019.
For the complete list of exhibitors at ProWein 2018 and stand numbers, visit the trade fair’s website: www.prowein.com.
Over the following pages we highlight a selection of spirits producers who will be showcasing their latest products at this year’s event.
Amber Beverage Group
Stand: Hall 12, E78
Latvia-based Amber Beverage Group is set to return to ProWein for the fourth year running, with a focus on Riga Black Vodka, Grand Cavalier brandy, Cosmopolitan Diva sparkling wine and newly launched Rooster Rojo Tequila.
Following the company’s acquisition of Estonia’s largest alcohol producer, Remedia, Amber Beverage will also be showcasing brands such as Reval Dry Gin and Stön Vodka, as well as private-label alcoholic cocktail brands Rigensis Kir Royal and Rigensis Kir Imperial.
The company is looking out for new markets to enter, as well as ways to expand its activities in existing markets.
THEY SAY: “It is a great place to meet partners for cooperation, and to introduce our portfolio and new brands to an international audience of existing and potential partners.”
Beveland Distillers
Stand: Hall 12, G70
A regular exhibitor at ProWein, Spain-based Beveland Distillers is looking out for new opportunities and seeking to meet with potential customers at this year’s show.
The company is keen to focus on Dominican rum brand Relicario and Jodhpur Gin, in addition to its liqueurs range, BVLand, and Glen Silver’s Scotch whisky.
At the show, Beveland will unveil Ron Jungla, a 10-year-old rum made with Caribbean liquid that has undergone a second maturation in Bodegas Suau brandy barrels in Majorca.
A brand ambassador will be on the stand to offer guests demonstrations, including a rum-and-chocolate pairing.
The company says it intends to use the show to help grow its strategic brands, build distribution and increase its presence in the markets where its brands are already available.
THEY SAY: “We are at ProWein every year. It’s the main fair as a company and the main reasons are to meet with our customers, to present new products and forecast for the year ahead, and try to catch new potential customers.”
Bottega
Stand: Hall 16, E22
Italian drinks producer Bottega is set to return to ProWein this year, and is seeking to target markets in Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and Germany.
The group will showcase its entire sparkling wine range, liqueurs and grappa, which form Bottega’s core business. Bottega’s Gin Bacûr, and its new Vermouth Rosso and Vermouth Bianco will be highlights of the show.
At the show, Gin Bacûr will be relaunched with restyled packaging, plus a new onelitre bottle format. The firm will also organise a blind tasting of vermouth, comparing Bottega with other brands.
THEY SAY: “The ProWein show in Düsseldorf has become the most important fair to target northern European markets. It benefits from better logistics than other drinks trade shows – and is the most appreciated exhibition by our customers.”
Fraternity Spirits
Stand: Hall 12, E86
At this year’s show, Fraternity Spirits will be showcasing its Tequila Corralejo range and ultra-premium brand Tequila 1821, an extra añejo Tequila that has been aged for 36 months in American oak barrels.
The stand will also highlight Rives Special Gin and Rives Conde De Cuba rums.
At the show, the company will launch El Prohibido Blanco (Triple Destilado), and two blended, independent Japanese whiskies – Kensei and Enso.
THEY SAY: “We have participated in this show for several years. We think that this is a great opportunity to establish a direct contact with our distributors, and potential customers; to get know their new interests and reaction of the new trends and usual products. Also, this show is a great window to keep reinforcing our brands’ positioning and exhibit our new products.”
Glendalough Distillery
Stand: Hall 12, A90/08
Returning to ProWein for the third year, Ireland’s Glendalough Distillery will be showcasing its newly launched whiskey range, along with a new bottle design.
Among the new releases is a double-barrel-aged expression, a seven-year-old single malt, and a 13-year-old single malt, which claims to be the first Irish whiskey finished in Japanese mizunara oak.
All three whiskeys will be packaged in the brand’s new bottle design, which is being rolled out across its entire range, including Glendalough Wild Botanical Gin and Mountain Strength Poitín.
At the stand, the company will hold two masterclasses: a whiskey wood programme and a gin discussion.
THEY SAY: “ProWein is unashamedly a place for doing business. We have started and nurtured many relationships at ProWein over the past few years. It is ideal for meeting potential distributors in markets we are interested in entering.”
Halewood Wines & Spirits
Stand: Hall 7, 70C38
Liverpool-based Halewood Wines & Spirits is looking out for new opportunities to network with both industry experts and customers.
At the show, the spirits producer will focus on its Whitley Neill gin range and Pogues Irish Whiskey. Customers will have the chance to sample its spirits range, including the company’s new brand extensions at the show – Whitley Neill Rhubarb & Ginger, Whitley Neill Raspberry and Whitley Neill Blood Orange Gin.
THEY SAY: “ProWein is, without a doubt, one of the most important global events to attend. It gives industry experts the opportunity to discuss new products and trends from all around the world, making it the perfect platform for Halewood to showcase our premium spirits portfolio offering.”
La Martiniquaise/Bardinet
Stand: Hall 12, A71
La Martiniquaise and Bardinet are returning to ProWein with the aim of targeting European buyers – but is open to meeting clients from all over the world.
The company’s Scotch brands will be highly visible, including Label 5 with its new Power of 5 campaign, Glen Moray’s new communication on “sharing special moments around malt”, and Sir Edward’s.
In addition, the firm will be relaunching its Old Virginia Bourbon whiskey with a new design and a complete revival of its Saint-Raphaël apéritif with the launch of two new expressions: Quina Red and Quina Amber.
At the stand, the group will have a virtual reality activation for its Negrita rum brand, allowing visitors access to its “friendly Caribbean universe”.
THEY SAY: “We have the general feeling that since our first participation in 2015 the show keeps growing and has an increasing number and quality of visitors. “That’s also the reason why the group invests more and more in this show, with a larger stand for the La Martiniquaise/Bardinet group and several other specific stands for our main subsidiaries, like the new Gran Cruz stand.”
Ladoga Group
Stand: Hall 11, K66
Russia’s Ladoga Group will be present at ProWein this year, showcasing its Cognac brand Roullet in partnership with Domaines Fabre.
The stand will display a range of Grande Champagne and Fins Bois Cognacs, from the classic VSOP to the exclusive Reserve de Famille, which has an average eaux-de-vie age of 40 years.
Roullet’s story started in the village of Foussignac, in the Cognac region, where the Roullet family set up vineyards in 1772.
Ladoga and Domaines Fabre have formed a distribution partnership for Cognac Roullet. Domaines Fabre is targeting the Chinese market, where it has a good position with its wines.
Besides Russia, Roullet is also exported to the US, Denmark, Bulgaria, Portugal, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Lebanon, Japan and Australia.
Famille NAUD
Stand: Hall 12, B80
The Naud family of master distillers, based in Cognac, France, is planning to focus on its new spiced rum brand, Hidden Loot, at ProWein.
Hidden Loot’s original expression is packaged in an opaque black bottle, inspired by stories of Panamanian pirates. For those who prefer it straight up, NAUD is also introducing a 15-year-old aged variant, the result of the association of Pierre Naud with a respected Panamanian rum maestro.
Dark Panamanian rum was transported across the Atlantic to Cognac, where it was then aged in Cognac barrels in the family’s stone cellars.
THEY SAY: “Whatever your preference for a premium drink, come by our stand, choose your favourite and meet the Naud family – master distillers since 1923.”
Spiridom
Stand: Hall 12, F50
A regular visitor to ProWein is French spirits producer Spiridom, who plans to meet importers from Europe and Asia at this year’s show.
Spiridom will be presenting its entire range of rums from Martinique, Guadeloupe, Saint Lucia and recently acquired brands from Mauritius.
The eight brands include Rhum Clément, Rhum J.M, Rhum Damoiseau, Chairman’s Reserve, Admiral Rodney, Bounty rum, and Arcane & Beach House.
Making its debut at Prowein is a new range of Admiral Rodney rum from Saint Lucia and a new Chairman’s Reserve 1931.
THEY SAY: “Prowein has become an unmissable meeting for us for the last 10 years. This is the perfect place to showcase all our products and meet our partners and prospects from Europe and Asia.”
Turin Vermouth
Stand: Hall 12, D74
At this year’s ProWein, Turin Vermouth is targeting a number of European traders including Portugal, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic and Poland.
The Italian vermouth producer will be focusing on its Bitter Tuvè and Vermouth Drapò Gran Riserva. At the show, the company will launch Vermouth Drapò Rosè, described as the “perfect link” between Vermouth Drapò Blanco and Vermouth Drapò Rosso. On the palate, it is described as “soft, supple and sweet” leading to spicy flavours of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg.
Turin Vermouth will also unveil its first gin, called Gin&P. Every drop of the expression has been distilled following a traditional recipe.
THEY SAY: “Our biggest challenge and our primary focus is to enlarge our business in the European market. We are craftspeople that put 100% of passion, dedication, tradition and more, in every single bottle.
Walsh Whiskey Distillery
Stand: Hall 12, A90/01
Ireland-based Walsh Whiskey Distillery is looking for new distribution partners for its Irish whiskey portfolio at this year’s ProWein event.
At the show, a spotlight will be shone on the company’s entire Irish whiskey range, with a focus on Writers’ Tears Copper Pot, The Irishman Founder’s Reserve and The Irishman Single Malt.
The company will also show new limited-edition lines from both brands, as well as key lines.
In addition, Walsh Whiskey will unveil its Writers’ Tears Cask Strength 2018 edition and the 2018 release of The Irishman 17 Year Old Single Cask Single Malt at the show.
THEY SAY: “ProWein is a key show for us to meet with both our existing distribution partners as well as meeting potential new distributors and markets. All of our partners attend ProWein and it has helped us build our global footprint over the last 10 years. It is a vital show for us to be present, for both brand visibility and to hold key meetings.”