What's hitting the shelves? New product launches: April 2017

Gatorade water with electrolytes​

Gatorade has launched G Active, a sugar free flavored electrolyte water, in Australia.

Available in lemon, orange and berry flavors, G Active is ‘formulated for fitness enthusiasts who lead busy work and home lives, think carefully about what they put in their bodies, and still manage to keep fitness a priority.’

G Active will be available in major retailers in Australia from April 30. A pop-up fitness destination, ‘G Active HydroGym’, will be set up in Sydney Harbour on April 28-29 to promote the launch.

G Active will team up with fitness and nutrition experts - Amanda Bisk, Daniel Conn and Luke Hines – at the fitness hotspot.

PepsiCo Australia and New Zealand’s nutrition scientist Vered Moses said, “Gatorade understands there is a spectrum of different hydration needs based on level of fitness, activity and personal goals, and is backed by more than 50 years of research into hydration and nutrition by the Gatorade Sports Science Institute.​

“While Gatorade contains the sugars and calories necessary to fuel competitive athletes, G Active was formulated for fitness exercisers to replace what is lost in exercise without unnecessary sugars.​

“Formulated with electrolytes, G Active helps replace what is lost in sweat through the key electrolyte, sodium, which ensures hydration by stimulating thirst and supporting fluid balance.”​

Eco-friendly wines​

Discount supermarket ALDI has launched a collection of eight ‘ecologically aware wines’ in the UK, seeing a growing trend of conscious consumerism.

Each of the wines in the collection eschews usual production methods and boasts organic, carbon neutral or ‘no added sulphur’ credentials.

ALDI believes the wines will appeal to the ‘wholefoods generation’; millennial shoppers who are increasingly concerned with the environmental impact of the produce they are buying and consuming.

There are four certified organic wines: one sparkling (Organic Prosecco DOC 2016, £7.99​), two French whites from wine maker Jean Claude Mas (Jean Claude Mas Classic Organic Vin Blanc 2016​, £5.99 and Jean Claude Mas Estate Organic Sud de France 2016, £6.99​), along with an organic version of one of ALDI’s bestselling red wines, the Toro Loco Organic 2015, £4.99​, a blend of Bobal, Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.  

A pair of 100% certified carbon neutral wines from Wakefield, the family vineyard behind Aldi’s Exquisite Collection Clare Valley​ Riesling​ are the 80 Acres Carbon Neutral Shiraz Viognier 2015, £6.99,​  and the 80 Acres Carbon Neutral Cabernet Shiraz Merlot 2015, £6.99.​ 

The two natural ‘no sulphur added’ red wines are Origin Pure No Sulphur Added Cabernet Sauvignon 2015​, £5.49 and Earth’s Essence No Sulphur Added Shiraz 2016, £6.99: ​which use natural farming techniques and are made without preservative sulphur dioxide.

The wines are each priced below £8.  

Tony Baines, joint managing director of Corporate Buying, ALDI, said: “Our collection of organic, carbon neutral and no sulphur wines are bursting with personality and we’re delighted to prove that high quality, eco-friendly products needn’t be a luxury, accompanied by a high price tag.”​

Iceland craft beer in the US​

Iceland brewery Einstök Ölgerð will make its White Ale and Arctic Pale Ale available in 330ml cans in the US in May.

They join the summer seasonal Arctic Berry Ale, which was launched in cans worldwide in 2015. Packed in photodegradable six-pack rings, these styles will continue to also be available in 330ml bottles and in kegs.

Einstök Toasted Porter and Wee Heavy Scottish Ale are scheduled to be released in 330ml cans in the Fall 2017.

Jack Sichterman, founder and beermaster, said: “Our fans tend to be adventurous and on the move, whether that’s going to concerts, beaches, ballgames and other events.​

“When consumed responsibly, cans support that lifestyle, while also doing a better job protecting the beer and its flavor on the journey from Iceland.”​

Einstök is currently available in 15 US states.

Earth day liqueur​

US distillery Bloomery Plantation Distillery has launched an all-natural green liqueur called Cré (Irish Gaelic for "earth").

The liqueur is made from a collection of botanical ingredients sourced by the distillery with a focus on locally grown ingredients, including ingredients grown on the distillery's 12-acre farm in West Virginia. These ingredients are combined with water and high-proof ‘moonshine’.

Cré was released ahead of Earth Day on April 22 to all of the markets where Bloomery Plantation Distillery's SweetShines are already distributed: WV, VA, DC, MD, PA, TN, MA, NY, and RI.

It is also available for shipment to 42 states. Cré has an ABV of 42% (84 proof) and comes in a 750ml bottle.

Cold brewed alcoholic tea ‘pushes boundaries for afternoon tea’​

NOVELTEA, an alcoholic tea blend, has launched in the UK with two flavors called ‘The Tale of Tangier’ and ‘The Tale of Earl Grey’.

The Tale of Tangier is an infusion of Moroccan green mint tea with Caribbean rum for an exotic fruit and floral flavor, while The Tale of Earl Grey infuses Earl Grey tea with British gin and botanicals to deliver a ‘distinctively smooth and rich taste’.

NOVELTEA is the brainchild of Vincent Efferoth and Lukas Passia, graduates from Newcastle University. Originally from Germany and having lived in the UK to study, Efferoth and Passia wanted to combine the British fascination for craft beers and spirits with deeply rooted afternoon tea traditions.  

Efferoth said: “To enhance the taste of tea, we cold-brew The Tale of Earl Grey and The Tale of Tangier for up to 12 hours to develop its smooth taste. This process draws out all the distinctive flavors without causing some of the bitter notes that can be associated with tea. ​

“Cold-brewing also produces lower levels of caffeine by extracting more antioxidants than hot-brewed processes.”​

NOVELTEA is targeting premium bars and retailers, artisanal food halls and hotels, launching with Fenwick Newcastle as its first retail partner.

Mtn Dew’s premium soda line​

Following the launch of Mtn Dew Black Label last year, PepsiCo has created the Mtn Dew Label Series, a line of premium soda with ‘crafted unique flavors and herbal and citrus bitters’.

The new launches are citrus-flavored Mtn Dew White Label and apple-kiwi flavored Mtn Dew Green Label.

Mtn Dew says last year’s Black Label drink, with a ‘dark berry flavor and herbal bitters’, has become one of its most successful product launches thanks to a distinctive flavor and premium ingredients.

Mtn Dew Green Label, Mtn Dew White Label and Mtn Dew Black Label are available at retailers nationwide in the US for a suggested retail price of $1.99 per 16-ounce can, with 140 calories per can for the two new launches.

Basil Hayden’s Rye Whiskey​

Beam Suntory’s super-premium bourbon brand Basil Hayden's has launched its first innovation and limited edition product: Basil Hayden’s Rye Whiskey.

“Basil Hayden’s Bourbon has long been known for its trademark spicy finish​, ​resulting from the use of twice as much rye than traditional bourbons. Taking inspiration from this beloved rye spiciness, Basil Hayden’s Rye Whiskey is a natural progression,”​ says the brand.

The whiskey can be sipped neat, on the rocks, or as a base to a cocktail.

Packaged with Basil Hayden’s hand-applied parchment bib and copper belt, Basil Hayden’s Rye Whiskey is available now in limited quantities in the US for a suggested retail price of $44.99 for a 750ml bottle.

Chlorophyll water: blueberry​

Verday Chlorophyll Water, an RTD chlorophyll beverage, has launched a new blueberry flavor.

Verday’s portfolio now has five flavors: blueberry, watermelon, coconut, cucumber and lemongrass ginger.

“Verday Chlorophyll Water represents an exciting new beverage category that provides the antioxidant and detoxifying benefits of a ‘green juice’,” ​says the brand.

“The key ingredient of Verday is chlorophyll, the green pigment present in all plants. ​

"Often described as the “building block of life,” chlorophyll is responsible for absorbing sunlight and converting it into energy via photosynthesis. ​

"Each bottle of Verday is packed with 100mg of chlorophyll, which is more than two shots of wheatgrass, four cups of spinach or 12 cups of arugula.”​

Lightly Effervescent Chardonnay​

Premium Chardonnay brand Clos du Bois has introduced new product: Lightly Effervescent Chardonnay.

“The perfect addition to a​ picnic or warm weather gathering, Clos du Bois’ Lightly Effervescent Chardonnay is a fresh new take on America’s favorite varietal, bringing together delightful flavors of apple, pear and crisp citrus with a hint of effervescence,” ​says the brand.

The Chardonnay is available for $12.99 at wine retailers in the US.