World of Patria International (WOPI) has added the Regal Rogue range of vermouth to its portfolio for next week’s TFWA World Exhibition & Conference (Blue Village G13).
The Australian vermouth is described as a “new world alternative” to the classic wine aperitif. It debuts at the Cannes event, along with Pink Pepper gin from French company Audemus and Konik’s Tail vodka.
According to WOPI, Regal Rogue blends native Australian aromatics, sourced from Aboriginal farmers, with wines sourced from Australia’s most iconic wine regions. Handcrafted in small batches of 250 cases, each variety is made to a bespoke recipe.
Regal Rogue Daring Dry Vermouth is based on a grassy Sauvignon Blanc wine from South Australia, blended with native anise myrtle, thyme, quandong and complemented with juniper, olive leaf, gentian, white pepper and herbs sage, oregano and thyme. The 18%ABV vermouth is described as “largely savoury”.
Regal Rogue Lively White Vermouth (16.5%ABV) is based on a Hunter Valley Semillon wine and blended with native lemon myrtle, desert lime and native thyme followed by grapefruit, chamomile, elderflower, lemongrass, basil and rosemary, sage, oregano and thyme.
Regal Rogue Wild Rose Vermouth (16.5%ABV) is based on an Adelaide Hills Shiraz rosé wine, blended with native illawara plums, rosella hibiscus fruit, strawberry gum and fruit spice together with rhubarb, fig and redcurrant. Wild Rose is semi-dry and has notes of tropical fruit and spice, with a dry finish.
Regal Rogue Bold Red (16.5%ABV) is described as Rosso style, a blend of Hunter Valley Semillon and Barossa Valley Shiraz with native pepper berry, wattleseed, native thyme and cacao nibs as well as cinnamon, star anise, clove, ginger and nutmeg.
Konik’s Tail vodka is distilled using spelt rye and wheat grown by farmers close to Poland’s Bialowieza Forest. The triple-grain vodka takes its name from the Konik wild ponies which graze in the forest. The 40%ABV vodka is available in 70cl bottles.
WOPI will also highlight Tofka (29.9%ABV) toffee vodka, a triple-filtered vodka with a caramel toffee flavour. A shake of the Tofka bottle gives a dramatic ‘storm’ effect which carries through to the glass, making it perfect for shots or long over ice, according to WOPI.
WOPI Managing Director Rob Nichols said: “We’re delighted to be exhibiting again this year and to be bringing products that are new and perfectly suited to the channel.
“Innovation and newness is a constant in this business and we believe we’re at the forefront of providing brands that are both relevant, interesting and with dynamic stories behind them. We know that it is difficult for small brands to gain traction in an industry dominated by high-investing large liquor groups, but it is possible to make headway.
“Tofka, for example, is doing tremendously well in Argentina, Australia and New Zealand, building momentum in the UK and is just about to be launched in Israel.”
The WOPI portfolio includes beers and ciders such as Leffe, Carlsberg, Holsten Pils, Budweiser, Peroni, San Migueln and Stella Artois. Its wine and champagne selection includes Blossom Hill, Yellow Tail and Oyster Bay.
