Pernod Ricard to relaunch Wyndham Estate wines

A refocus for the Wyndham Estate Bin range will also be announced with the launch of new packaging as well as new premium varietals including Shiraz Viognier and Shiraz Rosé.

The new image includes contemporary wine labelling in line with consumer’s preference for easily identifiable labels.

Wyndham Estate, the oldest winery in Australia and the first to plant Shiraz in the region, has established its position as a super-premium Shiraz brand that recently won the prestigious Grand Vinitaly in 2007 – making it the first producer from the southern hemisphere to have won the coveted trophy.

The brand is continuing to grow its reputation as a medal-magnet with the range’s most recent award wins including:

2008 Monde Selection, Belgium

> Grand Gold for George Wyndham Shiraz Cabernet 2005
> Gold for George Wyndham Shiraz 2004

2008 Pacific Rim International Wine Competition, USA

> Gold for Wyndham Estate Bin 555 Sparkling Shiraz 2005
> Gold for Wyndham Estate Bin 555 Shiraz 2005

2008 Sydney International Wine Show, Australia

> Blue Gold for Wyndham Estate Bin 555 Shiraz 2005
> Blue Gold for Wyndham Estate Bin 555 Sparkling Shiraz NV
> Blue Gold for George Wyndham Shiraz Grenache 2005

This follows 259 medal wins during the course of 2007, including six trophies, 38 gold and 82 silver medals for the Hunter Valley-based wine producer.

The new George Wyndham range will be targeted at multiple specialists, independent specialists and prestige on-trade. The Bin range will continue to target multiple grocers, convenience stores, multiple specialists and mainstream on-trade.

Pernod Ricard UK's head of marketing for wines, Annabelle Kuhn comments: “The UK re-launch of this award-winning brand reinforces Pernod Ricard UK’s continued focus on premiumisation, which is the cornerstone of our growth strategy.

"We remain committed to building a world-class, premium wine portfolio and driving value growth, and the launch of the George Wyndham range and refocus of the Bin range is representative of this.”

The brand new George Wyndham collection, named after the founder of the winery, includes Shiraz 2005, Shiraz Cabernet 2005 and Shiraz Grenache 2005.

Visitors to this year’s wine fair will also be treated to a tasting of the exceptional Black Cluster, a single-vineyard Hunter Valley Shiraz which is at the pinnacle of the range and is available in limited volumes only.

Tony Hooper, Chief Winemaker for Wyndham Estate comments: “The George Wyndham Range showcases intense wines that are easy-to-drink, yet full bodied with rich and generous flavours. The award-winning George Wyndham Shiraz, for example, delivers a ripe plum and berry flavour with hints of chocolate and eucalypt.

"Another prize-winning wine, the George Wyndham Shiraz Grenache 2005, has aromas of black pepper and spice with the two varietals complimenting each other to create a generous mid palate with a dark, distinctive finish.”

Pernod Ricard UK continues to drive category-leading brands within its wine portfolio, which includes the Jacob’s Creek Heritage Collection and Reserve Range from the UK’s favourite Australian wine brand.

The re-launch of Wyndham Estate further illustrates Pernod Ricard UK’s commitment to strengthening its super-premium offering as market leader in quality wines.