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).
Fortitude Spirits Group has unveiled a new premium bottle design for Hawksbill Caribbean Spiced Rum, the award-winning range of four rums which donates 10 per cent of profits to sea turtle conversation projects in Barbados.
The rebrand marks a major milestone for the brand as it secures a major listing across 130 Booker depots, bringing the premium spiced rum to an even wider audience. Hawksbill Rum is already one of the biggest sellers of spiced rum on Amazon in the UK.
The striking new bottle was designed to highlight the quality of Hawksbill Caribbean Spiced Rum and showcase each individual expression, Island Spices, Pineapple Core, Mango Peel and a brand new addition to the range, Banana Skin Caribbean Spiced Rum.
Banana Skin Caribbean Spiced Rum
The new bottle design also shines a spotlight on Hawksbill’s commitment to the support of Hawksbill Sea Turtles. The new bottles are made with 100 per cent post-consumer recycled glass, plant-based inks and seals, as well as labels made from recycled sugarcane fibre and corks crafted with waste materials.
Each flavoured expression is also made using fruit that would have otherwise gone to waste, helping the brand to further minimise its impact on the environment. Launched in 2021, Hawksbill Caribbean Spiced Rum draws inspiration from the laid-back charm of the Caribbean, the people's lively spirit and the ocean's natural wonder.
Luxury gin brand Renais, created by Harry Potter actress Emma Watson and Alex Watson, "inspired by terroir and tradition", and launched in May 2023, has announced a fundraise of £4.95 million as it closes out a successful 2024.
The raise will support further international expansion and marketing campaigns designed to bring its unique offerings to a broader audience. Upcoming international launches in 2025 include France, Spain, Dubai and Canada.
“It’s been an exciting year for Renais and this new raise is a key milestone in the brand’s growth. As consumers preference for premiumisation and a desire to drink less, but better, continues to grow, we are in a unique position in the gin category to capture their attention and tell our story of heritage, craftsmanship and provenance. I am also excited to have some of the foremost drink’s experts on board as investors, their experience will be invaluable to Renais to reach its full potential”, said Alex Watson, CEO & Co-founder of Renais Gin.
Investors include strategic drinks industry experts including US Based InvestBev and Jean-Sebastien Robicquet of Maison Villevert.
Brian Rosen General Partner InvestBev said: "We are thrilled to support Renais Gin in its journey to become a globally recognised brand. The premium gin category continues to demonstrate remarkable potential, and Renais Gin's quality and sustainability credentials align perfectly with our strategic investment focus. We believe our capital—coupled with our deep industry expertise and network—will amplify Renais Gin’s ability to reach new consumers and markets."
Renais has also bolstered its board with ex-Lathwaites Group CFO Jimmy Weir, who will join other drinks industry veterans including Andrew Morgan ex-Diageo European Chief and Alex Staartjes, previously Global Marketing Director at Pernod Ricard.
Diageo said five Royal Warrants of Appointment to His Majesty the King have been granted to its brands for the supply of spirits and wines to the Royal Household.
These Royal Warrants are granted to: Justerini & Brooks as Wine & Spirits Merchants, John Walker & Sons (Johnnie Walker) and Royal Lochnagar for Scotch Whiskies, Tanqueray Gordon & Company (Tanqueray and Gordon’s) as Gin Distillers, and The Pimm’s Company.
For Justerini & Brooks, this association dates back to the supply of wines for the coronation of King George III in 1761, Johnnie Walker has held a Royal Warrant to the monarch for the supply of its Scotch whiskies since King George V in 1934, and this is the fifth Royal Warrant to be granted to Tanqueray Gordon & Company over almost a century, since 1925.
Diageo said each brand, all of which held a Royal Warrant to Queen Elizabeth II, is proud of this mark of recognition for supplying the Royal Household and shares the commitment to the highest standards of service, quality, excellence and craftsmanship that unites all Royal Warrant holders, along with the public commitment to sustainable and responsible business practices.
“It is a great privilege to supply our products to the Royal Household, and with the granting of these five new Royal Warrants to HM The King, we will display His Majesty’s Royal Arms on these brands with immense pride,” Dan Mobley, global corporate relations director at Diageo, and Grantee for the Royal Warrant held by John Walker & Sons, said.
John Walker & Sons (Johnnie Walker)
Scotch Whisky Distillers By Appointment to His Majesty The King
Johnnie Walker has held a Royal Warrant to the Monarch for its Scotch whiskies since first granted by George V in 1934.
“It is an honour to continue to supply the Royal Household with a Royal Warrant to HM The King, and support this with a commitment to sustainability, grain to glass,” the brand said.
In 2021, His Majesty, as HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, conducted the Royal opening of the flagship visitor experience Johnnie Walker Princes Street in Edinburgh. The visit also marked the beginning of a hospitality training partnership between Johnnie Walker and The King’s Foundation.
Since the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, Johnnie Walker has continued to support the Royal Warrant Holders Association charity QEST (Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust), of which HM The King is Patron, to fund craft training for talented makers.
Justerini & Brooks
Wine & Spirits Merchants By Appointment to His Majesty The King
Fine wine and spirits merchant Justerini & Brooks, established in London in 1749, said they are honoured to have been granted Royal Warrants since providing wines for the Coronation of George III in 1761 through to Queen Elizabeth II.
“Justerini & Brooks has celebrated its 275th anniversary throughout 2024; receiving a letter granting a Royal Warrant of Appointment to HM The King is a particularly special way to conclude this milestone year,” the firm said.
Pimm’s
Distillers & Compounders By Appointment to His Majesty The King
James Pimm first mixed his famous cocktail at his Oyster Bar in London in the 1840s. The recipe for PIMM’S No. 1 Cup - gin infused with herbal botanicals, caramelised orange and spices - remains a closely guarded secret.
In 2011, Pimm’s was granted a Royal Warrant as Distillers & Compounders By Appointment to Queen Elizabeth II. Limited edition PIMM’S bottles were released in 2022 for the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, with a call for friends, families and communities to celebrate “Come Reign or Shine”, and a Coronation Edition in 2023 “To King & Country”, with the PIMM’S bus and bars popping up in London and Windsor.
Royal Lochnagar
Scotch Whisky Distillers By Appointment to His Majesty The King
Opened in 1845, the distillery became known as Royal Lochnagar following a visit by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert from neighbouring Balmoral, the Highland home of the Royal Family, in 1848.
His Majesty The King, as HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, has been welcomed three times to Royal Lochnagar: in 1995 and 1998 to mark the 150th anniversaries of the distillery and Queen Victoria’s visit, and in 2018 to receive a cask, bottled to raise funds for The Prince’s Foundation (now The King’s Foundation).
Royal Lochnagar was granted a Royal Warrant as Scotch Whisky Distillers By Appointment to Queen Elizabeth II in 2021. The distillery team planted seven commemorative birch trees at the distillery for the Queen’s Green Canopy, and an eighth in 2023 to mark the 75th birthday of HM The King.
Tanqueray Gordon & Company
Gin Distillers By Appointment to His Majesty The King
The rich heritage of Gordon’s and Tanqueray began in London with the creation of gins by Alexander Gordon in 1769 and Charles Tanqueray in the 1830s. Tanqueray Gordon & Company was formed in 1898 and first granted a Royal Warrant as Gin Distillers to HRH The Prince of Wales in 1925.
Royal Warrants have been held since, granted by George VI, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and now, almost a century on, as Gin Distillers By Appointment to HM The King.
Faustino, distributed by Amber Beverage Group UK, is the largest vineyard owner in Rioja with a long commitment to the traditional style of the region’s wines. With over 160 years of family winemaking history, Faustino’s wealth of knowledge makes it the leader in Gran Reserva wines in the Rioja region. With its exceptional quality and taste – Faustino continues to perform well in the UK retail market, and volume sales have increased by +13 per cent since 2022.
Elevated affordability
Affordability remains a key concern for many this Christmas, as 53 per cent of consumers worry about how they will afford presents. However, 55 per cent of consumers are also willing to pay full price for important gifts, meaning stocking products that resonate with consumers’ gifting needs will be essential.
This is the perfect time for retailers to stock premium wines at a price point that is still accessible and good value for money, as consumers continue to buy less, but better-quality wines, not only for personal consumption, but for gifting hosting and gifting loved ones.
For example, Faustino I Gran Reserva – the flagship from Bodegas Faustino – is a quality wine at an accessible price point of £18. Celebrating its 60th vintage this year, it is the leading Rioja Gran Reserva in export markets and available in more than 140 countries.
It is complex and elegant, with fruity and spicy notes, pairing well with medium-aged cheese used for creating festive charcuterie boards.
A Rosé-coloured Christmas
Whilst most consumers have traditionally opted for red and sparkling wines at Christmas, 56 per cent of drinkers consider Rosé suitable for drinking all year round including the festive season. Rosé is ideal for the social gatherings that take place around Christmas and New Year. Faustino has enhanced the consumer experience of its VII Rosado with new packaging that includes food pairing suggestions, such as fish, traditionally eaten on Christmas Eve. This caters to the 70 per cent of millennials who seek wines that complement their culinary preferences.
The conscious Christmas consumer
This Christmas, consumers are predicted to be more mindful of their buying habits, with almost half intending to buy from sustainable brands and 21 per cent willing to spend more on them.
Consumers looking for more sustainable gifting options could reach for a bottle of Faustino, as its rebranded labels are made of 100 per cent recyclable materials and the V range has changed from a matte bottle to a clear bottle, resulting in lower CO2 output – making it particularly appealing to the 63 per cent of Millennials who say they are concerned about climate change.
Just in time for the festive season, Kahlúa has partnered with Salma Hayek Pinault to launch the limited-edition Espressohoho Martini Bauble – a unique drinkable ornament designed to spice your tree up in dramatic style, with everyone’s favourite seasonal cocktail: the Kahlúa Espresso Martini!
12 limited edition baubles are available via auction on Kahlúa’s Espressohoho BaubleshopeBay page for one week only (available to UK bidders only).
Refillable and reusable, the baubles caused a causing a stir after Salma Hayek Pinault posted a picture of the delicious addition to her 2024 Christmas tree décor in an Instagram post: "This holiday season you can help farming families in my home state of Veracruz by bidding on one of these 12 limited edition @Kahlúa Espressohoho Martini baubles. Proceeds will go to Coffee For Good. Search 'Espressohoho Martini Bauble' on Ebay for a chance to get one."
Salma partnered with Kahlúa in 2023 to support the Coffee for Good initiative, which benefits the coffee farming community in her hometown of Veracruz, Mexico’s finest coffee-growing region and (not so coincidentally) the birthplace of Kahlúa.
All proceeds raised from the Espressohoho Martini Bauble support Kahlúa’s Coffee for Good initiative, promoting sustainable, long-term agricultural practices increasing the demand for Veracruz’s premium coffee.
“Kahlúa is such a fun brand and Salma is the perfect person to front a creative campaign that puts humour at the forefront of festive celebrations," said Alison Perrottet, Brand Director for Pernod Ricard UK. "Kahlúa is continuing to grow in both the On- and Off-Trade thanks to the popularity of the Espresso Martini and supporting local coffee farmers through the brand’s Coffee for Good initiative is the sparkling star on the tree, we know our audience will be crashing the internet to get their hands of an Espressohoho Martini Bauble!”