Domaine Select Wine Estates (DSWE) is bringing new spirits to market, these spirits are more than likely a direct result from the United States desire to expand their beverage’s of choice. The economy isn’t going so well, for those that may have somehow missed it, but one thing is for sure: people love their entertainment and alcohols. Of course, we always urge people to drink responsibly and, while doing so, drink something that really expands the palate and shows off the efforts of the industry.
Even the premium spirits do well in a down economy and DSWE obviously knows it. They’re not just shoveling out alcohol to try to quench the thirst of hungary consumers, they’re taking pride and craftsmenship to a new level. Anyone can make a bathtube vodka but it takes years of training and understanding to put out quality products.
Read on for their full press release!
DOMAINE SELECT (DSWE) LAUNCHES ‘CLASSIC & VINTAGE ARTISANAL SPIRITS’
Hallmark of New Collection is Character, Diversity, Expression & Tradition
February 12, 2009, NEW YORK, NY — Allison Domeneghetti, chief operating officer of Domaine Select Wine Estates (DSWE), announced today the launch of the company’s new spirits collection, Classic & Vintage Artisanal Spirits.
“The ‘Classic & Vintage’ idea was born from our constant allegiance to character, diversity, expression and tradition,” said Domeneghetti. “Since the inception of DSWE nearly a decade ago, our commitment to these four qualities has not faltered. We believe that these qualities represent the foundation of wine and specialty spirits as a true form of culture and of the enjoyment of life.”
Classic & Vintage was founded in response to the rising demand of artisanal and specialized spirits in the blossoming cocktail culture in the United States. The line is a collection of boutique products, each with a unique story and attachment to their origins. Without competition between brands, it is easy to cross-promote each product through the creation of signature cocktails and nationwide events. The Classic & Vintage product line includes imported European products such as Armagnac, single-barrel Cognac, award-winning French gin and classic Sicilian amaro, floral liquore from Milano, and Rhum Agricole from the island of Martinique. The line also includes artisan products from the U.S. such as whisky and bourbon from New York’s Hudson Valley, and organic vodka from Wisconsin made with wheat purchased from local small farmers who depend on the distiller for their livelihoods.
Classic & Vintage is founded on the philosophy of “education first.” The company places a premium on having an educated sales force that knows the spirits world and the rapidly growing cocktail culture in the US, supports distributor salespeople with their intimate industry knowledge and helps bridge the gap between the wholesaler and the customer. Both the national and wholesale sales teams will complete a series of “spirited workshops” which emphasize the process of distillation, the history of spirits and cocktails in the U.S., basics of mixology, selling tools such as cost analysis and designing cocktail menus, and a full understanding of the Classic & Vintage brands and their market counterparts. In addition, a link will be developed from Classic & Vintage to the DSWE Web site for constant access to educational materials and tools.
Classic & Vintage is in the process of creating a robust Brand Ambassador Program ─ unusually progressive for a boutique portfolio ─ to help educate trade and consumer, as well as create the cocktails that drive the spirits business and further promote the Classic & Vintage product line. Classic & Vintage is working with top mixologist consultants Tad Carducci, co-founder of Tippling Bros who DSWE established a strong relationship with while working together on the HAVE Averna campaign and Duggan McDonnell, owner of Cantina in San Francisco. Classic & Vintage will appoint a Brand Ambassador exclusively for this collection based in the NYC area available to travel for education and events. DSWE’s Gianfranco Verga is spearheading marketing elements of the Collection, including education and cocktail cuisine at DSWE.
“I’m tremendously excited to see the launch of Classic & Vintage and expect we’ll see big things from them in 2009. Their passion for exceptional quality, product knowledge, and commitment to the artisan producer, are unmatched, and the portfolio ROCKS! As a mixologist and spirits buyer, these are exactly the kinds of brands I look for when developing a unique cocktail program.” said Mr. Carducci.
The Classic & Vintage Collection is structured in the following way:
– Brands imported by DSWE
– Domestic Brands represented nationally by DSWE
– Brands represented in select markets by DSM (Domaine Select Merchants wholesale companies of NY, NJ, CT & CA)
Currently, the Classic & Vintage Artisanal Spirits collection is comprised of Armagnac Castarede, Averna, Cognac Grosperrin, Death’s Door Distillery, Dimmi Liquore di Milano, G’Vine Gins, Grappa Suprema, Macchu Pisco, Rhum Agricole J.M., Stranahan’s Colorado Whisky and Tuthilltown Hudson Spirits. Every product in the Classic & Vintage collection ─ both imported and domestic ─ is unique and carefully crafted. Just like DSWE’s wine portfolio, the Classic & Vintage Spirits Collection represents only distillers that produce high-quality products each expressing the tradition of their origin. These products stand on their own for their unique and superior quality but also hold great appeal for their “mixability” profile.
About Classic & Vintage Artisanal Spirits
Classic & Vintage is a boutique spirits portfolio dedicated to classic principles of unique, premium artisan and specialized producers committed to the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship.
About DSWE – Domaine Select Wine Estates
Founded in 1999, Domaine Select Wine Estates is dedicated to wines and artisanal spirits from around the world of the highest quality and which demonstrate excellence and tremendous character, particular to their origin. The company is committed to transmitting the individuality of the producers; expressing diversity, tradition and character – the tenants of DSWE.
No Comments