just-drinks LIWF & Distil 2008 - Diary - 9 May

Coming up at this year's London International Wine & Spirits Fair…

Cocoa Farm (stand G90), the only cocoa plantation in Australia, will be launching two new products for 2008: Shiraz and Pinot Noir Wine Infused Chocolate Drops. Sun Muscat raisins are bathed in Australian Shiraz or Pinot Noir wines, left for a few days to absorb the flavour, then coated in a blend of milk and dark chocolate and dusted with cocoa powder. These join the existing range of Wine Infused Block Chocolate. On-stand, there will be free tastings every hour, on the hour, plus an introductory offer for wine merchants who would like to start stocking the products.

Constellation Europe (stand F40), along with Joel Peterson (Ravenswood), Stuart Bourne (Barossa Valley Estates) and Bruce Jack (Flagstone), will be on-stand to celebrate the unveiling of the Premium Wine Estates collection, Constellation's newly re-vamped premium wine portfolio. Constellation's head winemakers will also be forming a panel for the Brintex seminars, where visitors will have the opportunity to put questions to the winemakers. The seminars will take place on 20 May from 12.45-13.45 and on 21 May from 13.30-14.15.

Diageo  (stand D20) will be showing a selection of its brands at Distil, ranging from Smirnoff, to niche premium brands such as Tanqueray and Talisker. The stand will include a bar area where visitors will be able to sample a range of Diageo's offerings, including Gordon's Sloe Gin, Morgan's Spiced, and Bushmill's. A mixologist will also be in attendance to mix long drinks and cocktails, as well as leading comparative tastings of Diageo's range of malts.