Top Ten online news stories for the quarter by Ioni Doherty

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Limited edition Yarra Burn Prosecco available this summer

YARRA BURN PROSECCO HAS FORMED A COLLABORATION WITH BONDI RESCUE LIFEGUARD AND PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER, ANTHONY GLICK – WITH A LIMITEDEDITION ANTHONY GLICK ORIGINAL IMAGE OF SYDNEY’S BRONTE BEACH BOTTLE WRAP.

Anthony Glick said of the collaboration, ’I was able to combine all the things I love; the beach, the Australian summer and photography. This photo was taken from a helicopter, which isn’t always easy, but allowed me to capture the amazing colours of a typical Australian beach summer scene. The image was selected because we felt like it brought to life the flavours in the Yarra Burn Prosecco; vibrant, refreshing and something to savour no matter the day or night!’

With 9.7 million bottles of Prosecco sold in Australia last year* the Yarra Burn Prosecco, with the one-off packaging will be available from December 2020 through February 2021.

Yarra Burn Winemaker, Ella Hoban says, ‘We maintain freshness and vibrancy by picking at night and fermenting the wine at cool temperatures which allows us to preserve the natural fruit intensity and bright acidity. The balance between flavour and acid means that our Prosecco lends itself perfectly to enjoying with a variety of foods and almost every occasion.’

With more than half the Prosecco consumers seeking new and different products, we are expecting to see high demand for the Yarra Burn Prosecco, and for that reason we are encouraging consumers to go in to store quickly to avoid disappointment,’ said Jack Glover, Marketing Director ANZ.

TOP TEN IN TEN

THE BIGGEST DRINKS INDUSTRY STORIES THIS SPRING AS READ ON WWW.DRINKSTRADE.COM.AU. FROM NEW RELEASES TO THE TRADE IMPASSE WITH CHINA, THESE ARE THE STORIES THAT GRABBED THE MOST ATTENTION.

1. HEINEKEN TO ACQUIRE ASAHI BEVERAGES’ BRANDS

October 28, 2020 Heineken has announced the acquisition of Strongbow Cider, Little Green and Bonamy’s cider, as well as the licence for Stella Artois and Beck’s, in Australia from Asahi.

These brands will now be distributed in Australia by Drinkworks, the Australian sales and marketing arm of DB Breweries Limited (DB), Heineken’s wholly-owned Australasian subsidiary. The deal remains subject to regulatory approval, which is expected in Q4 2020.

2. PARAMOUNT LIQUOR – A PANDEMIC TALE OF REINVENTION

November 2, 2020 Sessions West Brunswick opens for trade next week, the second retail store as part of the new banner group from Paramount Liquor. The retail business is just one of the ways in which the family business has reinvented itself, steadfastly committed to emerging stronger from a year that saw the income of the business drop by 90% when COVID first hit.

At that time, Paramount’s revenue streamed from the on-premise business sector across three states: New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. The first thing the family business did was to take $5 million in stock back from their hospitality partners, to assist their crippled cashflow brought about by lockdown.

3. COLES ONLINE LIQUOR SALES GROW 80 PER CENT

October 29, 2020 Supermarket giant Coles Group Limited attributed its strong 2021 first quarter sales results, including an online liquor sales increase of 80 per cent to accelerated strategic investment in digital marketing and online capabilities.

The Group reported a first quarter total sales revenue increase of 10.5 per cent to $9.6 billion with liquor sales revenue at $852 million, an increase of 17.4 per cent on the prior corresponding period with comparable sales growth of 17.8 per cent.

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Growth in liquor was driven across the retail group’s three banners, channels and categories. Sales in liquor remained strongly elevated across the country despite the relaxing of on-premise consumption of liquor in some states.

The period saw Liquorland trial a new concept store in Oakleigh, Victoria, with positive customer feedback leading to additional concept stores scheduled to open in the second quarter.

4. AUSTRALIA ON EDGE AS TRADE STRIKE FROM CHINA SEEMS INCREASINGLY LIKELY

November 5, 2020 Uncertainty around exports to China continues with rumour and speculation rife about a trade strike against Australia.

Tensions only continue to rise with reports circulating in international press, including the South China Morning Post, that China may impose an anti-dumping duty of more than 200 per cent on Australian wine as soon as next week.

For Australia’s 2400 wine exporters to China, it is a cause of great anxiety, especially for smaller exporters for whom China is their sole market. Wine exports to China were worth $1.26 billion dollars in 2019.

The Global Times has reported that “Chinese analysts believe the reported visit of Australian ambassador to China to the 3rd China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, reflects Australia’s need for the Chinese market amid worsening diplomatic ties and its economic consequences.” The CIIE starts next week.

Chief Executive of Australian Grape and Wine, Tony Battaglene, spoke with Drinks Trade on Wednesday.

“There is plenty of rumour and speculation. We do know that some exporters have been told by importers to stop shipping for now. We have seen documents, alleged to be from meetings that importers have had with the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, that shipments will be stopped from this Friday. But we are unable to verify their accuracy,” he said.

China’s Ministry of Commerce has denied any such directives.

5. FOUR PILLARS GIN TAKES TOP PRIZE FOR SECOND YEAR RUNNING AT IWSC

November 19, 2020 In more good news this week from the Yarra Valley-based, Four Pillars distillery was awarded International Gin Producer of the Year for the second consecutive year at the 51st International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) announced early this morning (AEDST) in London.

The International Gin Producer of the Year award is given by the IWSC to the distillery that has not only performed best in the competition with its individual products but has also led the category in innovation and excellence across the year.

“Producer trophies are the pinnacle of achievement,” said IWSC Head of Tastings, Pip Mortimer. “They reward the overall portfolio, ethos and achievement of companies that enter the IWSC.”

6. A CRAFT BEER A DAY FOR ADVENT

November 9, 2020 The wildly popular Bridge Road Brewers’ advent calendar is back in-store at Dan Murphy’s with expectations that it will sell out again this year, as it has every year since its inception in 2015.

The year has been a challenging one for the brewers , located in Beechworth in north eastern Victoria.

“First we had the bushfires in January, and then COVID-19. We have picked up some volume in off-premise, but lost a lot in on-premise keg sales. We also have a restaurant attached to our brewery here in Beechworth but because of the restrictions and with barely any tourists coming through it has been difficult,” said Bridge Road Brewers CEO Donald Mace.

“Having that said, our advent calendar is definitely a highlight of 2020 and we are excited to see it in stores as it will help end the year on a positive note.”

Bridge Road Brewers & Friends Craft Beer Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar includes 24 different craft beers – 12 are Bridge Road Brewers beers while the rest are from other Australian craft breweries. It comes in a specialised pack

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which allows customers to try a new beer each day in December until Christmas Eve.

7. CHINA AS CRUCIAL AS DIVERSIFICATION FOR ECONOMIC RECOVERY

November 10, 2020 This morning Radio National’s Fran Kelly spoke with Chief Executive of the Business Council of Australia, Jennifer Westacott. Westacott was very clear on China’s role for Australia’s post-COVID economic recovery.

“We cannot recover without a strong trading relationship with China. And so, we have to make sure we don’t allow the relationship to deteriorate further,” she said. “We’ve got to stay the course and comments about diversification I don’t think are particularly helpful …. It’s not a question about diversifying away from.

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Of course, we should diversify. We should do more with India, Japan and Indonesia. But diversifying away from China is just an opportunity that will go somewhere else. And that’s jobs a prosperity that will go to other countries.”

It makes for a delicate balance for Australian businesses trading with China.

At last Thursday’s AGM for Treasury Wine Estates (TWE), Chairman Paul Rayner emphasised that TWE’s long time commitment to China remains an ongoing priority. The business first introduced Penfolds to China in 1995 and revenue for the Asia region for F20 was $617 million.

TWE’s Asia division comprised 45 per cent of the company’s total profits in 201920. It’s importance is immediately clear, as is the importance of diversification.

8. A SUMMER STATE OF MIND WITH SELTZER ON TAP AND PALE ALES IN MARKET. ALSO, ORLANDO RETURNS

October 29, 2020 AUSTRALIAN FIRST – FELLR HARD SELTZER ON TAP FELLR launched in July with their Lime and Soda and Dry and Lime flavours and have since launched their Watermelon flavour to rave reviews, selling out their first batch within a couple of weeks. Now FELLR kegs are starting to rollout to venues including Beach Road Hotel, Bondi Bowling Club, and the Prince of Mereweather in Newcastle.

COOPERS SUMMER PALE ALE PARTNERS WITH ANGUS STONE With Spring in full bloom, Coopers Brewery is casting it’s attention to summer, capturing Australians love of all things sun and surf, with the launch of Pacific Pale Ale.

The new look Pacific Pale Ale, previously known and loved as Session Ale, will appear with new branding in cans is in store now.

THE RETURN OF ORLANDO WINES South Australian wine brand Orlando is returning to shelves with two ranges, The Legends and The New Heroes.

Under the skilled hand of Chief Winemaker Ben Thoman, the new Orlando portfolio will feature regionally focused wines that showcase the best expression of the varietal, including iconic wines Steingarten, Jacaranda Ridge and Lawson’s.

BLANDNESS PROHIBITED Australian-owned and independent brewer, Hawkesbury Brewing Co have launched Prohibition Pale Ale, Australia’s first fully fermented alcohol-free craft beer. And in doing so, Hawkesbury Brewing Co also make the promise of an alcohol free beer with all the character and flavour of a traditional pale ale.

9. LION ANNOUNCES NEW MARKETING LEADER

November 3, 2020 Following an extensive global search, Lion has appointed a Consumer and Brand Director to run marketing for Australia and lead the Consumer Global Centre of Excellence across Australia, New Zealand, the US and UK.

Anubha Sahasrabuddhe will return to Australia after more than 20 years in global marketing leadership roles across North America and Asia Pacific and commence in her new position early in 2021.

Lion Australia Managing Director James Brindley said: “This is an exciting appointment for Lion after such a challenging year. I can’t wait to see the energy and passion that Anubha will undoubtedly bring to Lion in ensuring we can connect with consumers in the most meaningful way possible.

10. ALCOHOL IMPULSE BUYING ON THE UP

October 29, 2020 POST-COVID IMPULSE BUYING UP AND HEALTH FOCUS CONTINUES TO GROW AMONG LIQUOR SHOPPERS When it comes to buying alcohol, impulsive purchasing has increased by 5 per cent since before COVID. The results are presented in Liquor after the crisis – the latest shopper insights report from Shopper Intelligence that compares behaviour between AugustSeptember of this year and last.

This ‘on the spot’ behaviour contrasts with grocery shopping habits. Currently visits to the supermarkets are more highly planned and thought out excursions than they were pre-COVID.

David Shukri at Shopper Intelligence said: “When it comes to liquor, shoppers are now more hand to mouth than before the crisis. Their trips are more focused on specific occasions and they’re more likely to consume the same day. This is unlike grocery where we have seen more stocking up on products, spending less time in store and visiting less often.”

Shopper Intelligence is a partner of the Drinks Association