GLOBAL BRANDS LAUNCHES PREMIUM WINES DIVISION

Global Brands has reinforced its credentials as a drinks industry leader by launching a premium wines division, adding Adoro wine from South Africa and the Marilyn Merlot collection from Bordeaux to its expanding portfolio.

Marilyn Merlot is produced exclusively from the finest Merlot grapes and sourced from the Premieres Cotes region of Bordeaux. Adoro wine is unique in having no vineyard ownership, and uses grapes sourced from specific areas across the Western Cape of South Africa blended together to create a signature wine.

Global Brands has appointed Richard Wilson, previously Sales Director, Montana Wines at Seagram Spirits and Wine Group and Business Unit Director at Hardys, as Head of Wine Development. Richard commented:

"Marilyn Merlot and Adoro wines ooze quality, and position Global Brands as a provider of niche, sophisticated wine brands that are well respected within the industry.

We've had a fantastic response from our target retailers, which includes high-end independent wine merchants, hotels and restaurants, and the Adoro collection was recently commended at the prestigious International Wine Challenge, reinforcing the brand's proposition of artisan wine making at its best."

Global Brands will distribute Adoro wine on its first entry in to the UK market following a joint venture with Intra International Trading in South Africa, who will in turn distribute Kick Energy and VK in South Africa's core markets, including Angola, Uganda and Guinea.

Adoro's winemaker, Ian Naudé, attended the launch of Global Brands' premium wines division at Distil and the London International Wine Fair 2010, and commented:

"Adoro is my pride and joy, and the partnership with Global Brands is a fantastic way for the brand to make its first foray into the UK market, helping also to showcase the complexity and distinctiveness of South African wine in general. Adoro has been hand-crafted to create a distinctive, signature wine that sets itself apart from the crowd."

Global Brands' extension into the premium wine market comes just weeks after the company announced its acquisition of premium drinks agency and signals another milestone in the company's ambition to extend its range of high-end products and provide a drinks brand for every occasion.

Derek Mackey, managing director at Global Brands said:

"Our latest expansion into the wine market will cement Global Brands' reputation as a growing company with the capability to build brands across a diverse range of categories, and offer retailers choice against multi-national brand owners.

"People are still willing to pay for quality, and we hope to provide this with the launch of Global Brands premium wines division."