Diablo, the producer of disobediently good wines, has inked a partnership with new musical The Devil Wears Prada, which makes its UK debut in London this month.
Diablo (which means "devil" in Spanish) will feature on programmes, and competitions will be run to award tickets for the shows, which run until 31 May 2025. Diablo wines will also be poured at Elton John’s Opening Night Gala at the British Museum in London on 1 December, where a bespoke "Diablo" bar will be built.
The Devil Wears Prada Musical is a new stage adaptation of the popular 2006 film, itself based on Lauren Weisberger's novel.
The Diablo wine brand, first launched in 2018, is growing at a phenomenal rate in the UK, +33.4 per cent by value in the past 52 weeks. It has successfully introduced new wines into its portfolio, with the original Diablo Dark Red being joined by Chardonnay, and most recently Purple Malbec, Volcanic Cab and Deep Carmenere, all listed in major multiple grocers.
Diablo is attracting a distinctive younger and more affluent shopper (45 per cent of its shoppers are under 45 versus 14 per cent of shoppers across total still wine).
“This is an incredibly exciting time for the brand," said Javiera Moller, Senior Brand Manager at Concha y Toro UK. "The Devil Wears Prada is an iconic and much-loved story, now brought to life on the London stage with a star cast and a great score by Elton John, and the 'devil' connection makes it a perfect partner for our brand.
“Our audience are disruptive, intelligent, stylish and early adopters of brands and trends. This partnership gives us the chance to activate with our target consumers, and build the profile of an already-thriving wine brand.”
From its initial launch in 2018 with Diablo Dark Red blend, the brand now has six wines in multiple retail distribution in the UK:
Diablo Dark Red
Diablo Volcanic Cabernet Sauvignon
Diablo Purple Malbec
Diablo Deep Carmenere
Diablo Golden Chardonnay
Diablo Crystal Sauvignon Blanc
The brand has grown from £2 million in retail sales value in the UK less than five years ago to be worth over £20 million today (RSV).
Kopparberg, a partner of Budweiser Brewing Group, has announced its latest product, Crisp Apple, expanding its listing with the 4% ABV beverage that taps into the evolving tastes of cider drinkers.
Kopparberg Crisp Apple offers drinkers the much-loved taste of a classic apple cider, balanced with a slightly sweeter profile that the brand is famous for. Whilst apple cider is seeing a resurgence, particularly amongst younger drinkers, Kopparberg, the brand with more 18-34 year old drinkers than any other beer or cider brand [Savanta, 2023] is perfectly placed to bring its cider expertise to the evolving category.
In addition to creating an offering that meets growing consumer demands, this new product aims to attract new a audience and offer an alternative to the more traditional cider brands already on offer.
Whilst Kopparberg has continued to increase its share across both the on and off trade since 2023, Crisp Apple offers drinkers the opportunity to try a modern apple cider, from a brand that consistently delivers on taste and refreshment. Consumers will be able to get their hands on the new product on draught, bottle and can, across both the on and off trade, giving drinkers the chance to consume the product in their preferred format.
“Taste spearheads everything we do at Kopparberg and there is no brand that understands younger drinkers better than we do. With a growing demand for modern apple ciders, we are thrilled to be able to bring Kopparberg Crisp Apple to market in 2025, to ensure that drinkers can access the products they want, from the brands they love,” Peter Bronsman, founder, Kopparberg, said.
Brian Perkins, president, Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I, added: “Kopparberg’s ability to meet evolving consumer tastes with new flavours is a key reason behind it being the leading brand in fruit cider in the UK. With the rise in apple cider as a preferred choice in the category, the product will not only attract existing fans, but also build new brand fans. We’re confident it will be a big hit across both the on and off trade and we look forward to seeing the reaction.”
Kopparberg Crisp Apple will be available in on trade from January 2025 and the off trade from March 2025.
Café Solo has announced the global launch of a world-first Pedro Ximénez Sherry (PX) Cask Finished Coffee Liqueur.
Café Solo PX is the first in a range of cask-finished coffee liqueurs to be released by the brand and the third expression that has launched this year in the Café Solo range, which includes the debut expression, Café Solo Original and Café Solo Espresso Martini Cans.
Café Solo said the latest launch adds to their mission to shake up the UK’s coffee cocktail market and offers interest and complexity for mixologists shaking up cocktails in bars and at home.
Ground with exceptional coffee, Café Solo is crafted with premium SOLO Cold Brew Coffee, which boasts a full-bodied flavour profile, rich acidity, and a refreshingly clean finish. Café Solo is matured in PX Sherry casks which impart residual sweetness and rich, dried-fruit notes.
Café Solo PX Cask Finished Coffee Liqueur is indulgent and dessert-like, with the PX Sherry Cask adding layers of sweetness, depth, and complexity. Café Solo PX offers notes of rich toffee, fig, walnut and lemon.
Made from the sun-dried Pedro Ximénez grapes (in Jerez, Spain) PX Sherry is intensely sweet and rich, and Jerez’s unique terroir and tradition make PX sherry one-of-a-kind. PX casks are often repurposed to age or "finish" whiskies and other spirits, imparting their residual sweetness and rich, dried-fruit notes. These casks are prized for the intense flavours they impart, transforming the profiles of other liquids.
"We are delighted to launch our first Café Solo cask edition, which was inspired by an evening of enjoying delicious Espresso Martinis with added PX Sherry! We sourced our casks from Jerez, Spain, and I was lucky enough to witness the incredible craftsmanship at the Antonio Páez Lobato cooperage,” Café Solo brand manager Holly Harwood said.
“PX sherry offers a wonderfully rich profile, and the combination of coffee with notes of dried fruit and caramel is truly something you need to try!"
Café Solo PX is available to the UK trade via Fortitude Drinks.
Dolin, a historic family-owned spirits company established in 1821 in the Alpine region of Savoie, France, is set to expand its UK presence through a new distribution partnership with Mangrove Global.
With a legacy spanning over two centuries, Dolin has distinguished itself through authentically sourced local ingredients and traditional production methods that create premium spirits to be enjoyed worldwide. The company's first international Vermouth award in 1876 marked the beginning of its enduring reputation in Parisian cafes and European cocktail culture.
“Aperitifs like Vermouth have enjoyed a renaissance in the last few decades, and Dolin represents the quintessential French classic,” said Nick Gillett Managing Director of Mangrove Global. “The Mangrove team have long admired the range, and we’re excited to showcase these exceptional, provenance-driven spirits.
“We’re all about exceptional brands that celebrate the heritage and craftsmanship behind their liquids, and Dolin fits the bill perfectly. We’re ready to get started, building upon all the wonderful work that’s been done so far.”
The partnership arrives at a pivotal moment, as contemporary drinkers increasingly seek spirits with strong heritage, authenticity, and provenance. Dolin Vermouths embody these qualities in abundance, with their lighter, more delicate flavours making them a perfect choice for a wide range of cocktails, such as the classic martini, or even enjoyed neat.
Each Vermouth is crafted through the maceration of at least 30 Alpine botanicals in white wine, offering a complex flavour profile that has consistently ranked Dolin among the top five global Vermouth brands since 2020.
Joining the Mangrove portfolio will be Dolin Vermouth Dry, Dolin Vermouth Rouge, Dolin Vermouth Blanc, and Dolin Chamberyzette, the latter of which is a delicate cocktail made from Dolin’s white Vermouth Blanc and its much-loved Liqueur Framboise – strawberry liqueur. Each variety of Dolin’s Vermouth uses a unique selection of herbs and plants, blended with quality wine to achieve the resulting flavour – a flavour which, as noted by Drinks International, has kept Dolin amongst the top five best-selling Vermouth brands, since 2020.
Pierre-Olivier Rousseaux President Owner of Dolin said: “We are delighted with this new partnership. Mangrove will bring its distribution expertise and its solid presence in the spirits sector to promote the authenticity of Dolin products in the UK, while respecting the heritage and artisanal know-how for which our brand is renowned since 1821.”
Foster’s, Australia’s most iconic brew, has announced an exciting new sponsorship deal with the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC).
The fun kicks off with the World Darts Championship, which begins on December 15 at London’s iconic Alexandra Palace.
This bonza partnership is set to bring even more buzz to one of the fastest-growing sports in the UK, while giving darts fans a real taste of Aussie spirit. The partnership makes Foster’s, part of the HEINEKEN UK portfolio, the official beer partner of the PDC. Putting it front and centre at massive events like the legendary World Darts Championship and the Premier League Darts series.
With both brands built on, passion, camaraderie and unforgettable moments, it’s a match made in heaven. Over the next few years, Foster’s will be making its mark with unmissable event branding, epic fan experiences, and plenty of cold ones to keep the good times rolling, whether fans are at the venue, down the pub, or tuning in from home.
Rajeev Sathyesh, Marketing Director, HEINEKEN UK commented: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with the PDC to bring some of that Aussie spirit to such an iconic sport. Darts is all about sociable, high-energy fun – which is a perfect match for Foster’s. We can’t wait to bring a slice of Aussie good times to darts fans around the world!”
Eddie Hearn, Chairman of the PDC, reckons this is a bullseye partnership too: “This is a cracking partnership for the PDC. Foster’s is a household name that’s all about bringing people together, and that’s exactly what we do with darts. With their support, we’ll be taking the sport to a whole new level and giving fans even more to cheer about. It’s time to raise a glass and get ready for some unmissable action!”
What Fans Can Expect Foster’s will be bringing Aussie vibes to PDC events with pop-up fan experiences giveaways, and plenty of ice-cold lager. From VIP darts experiences to limited-edition merch, fans will have the chance to get their hands on some top prizes whether in store or down the pub.
Whether it’s the Foster’s logo shining bright or a cheeky nod to Australia, fans can expect a little extra flair during their favourite tournaments.
Barefoot, the #1 U.S. wine brand in the UK, has continued its momentum in 2024, showing a value growth of +4.3 per cent compared to the overall wine category’s +0.2 per cent, with an even stronger previous three months, where growth reached +6.6 per cent against a category decline of -1.1 per cent.
The continued success of the established varietals and the introduction of the new Barefoot Zinfandel in the late summer, coupled with Barefoot’s distinctive branding, have helped fuel this success.
The UK’s four most popular wines…
Barefoot holds the #1 spot for Merlot, Pinot Grigio, White Zinfandel and Pink Moscato, cementing its place as a trusted choice among consumers.
Approachable and adaptable, Barefoot Merlot is a go-to for any occasion. It offers flavours of blackberry, raspberry and chocolate, pairing perfectly with meat dishes and cheese
Crisp and refreshing, Barefoot Pinot Grigio is a dry and light-bodied white wine, with flavours of tart green apple and notes of citrus and peach. The perfect sip to pair with spicy pasta, a Thai green curry or a bowl of mussels.
Barefoot White Zinfandel is fun, refreshing and a definite crowd-pleaser. It’s bursting with tropical aromas of pineapple and strawberries. This fruity wine pairs well with chicken and seafood.
The Barefoot Pink Moscato is a juicy and refreshing wine with ripe nectarine aromas and flavours. With layers of raspberry and pomegranate, it’s best enjoyed with spicy Asian cuisine or a fruity dessert.
Smelling of rosés
Barefoot has maintained its position as the UK’s #1 rosé brand, with a year-on-year value growth of +11.7per cent – outpacing the rosé category’s +1.2 per cent increase by +10.5pts. With a portfolio including Barefoot Rosé, White Zinfandel and Pink Moscato, there is a rosé for every taste.
New Barefoot Zinfandel…
Launched in the UK August 2024, Barefoot Zinfandel is the latest edition to the brand’s award-winning portfolio, this fruit-forward red wine offers a bold, layered profile with vibrant notes of black cherry and juicy raspberry. The fourth most planted grape variety in California, Zinfandel is particularly tolerant to increasingly warm summers, promising a hopeful future for the variety.
“Barefoot has experienced exceptional success since we launched it in the UK in 2009 to become the UK’s most popular US wine brand. Its unique and approachable fruit-forward styles, combined with eye-catching and familiar branding, resonate with a broad range of consumers – whether it’s new drinkers or loyal fans. We hope to continue this growth over the coming year,” says Mark Stammers, Senior Sales Director EMEA at Gallo.