Harpers.co.uk

What happens when vodka companies run out of ideas for flavours - will they jump on the bandwagon like crisps and start producing the likes of fish and chip or hoisin duck flavours? We'll have to wait and see if that quirky initiative ever sees the light of day. In the meantime, Diageo GB is rolling out a new variant for its popular flavoured vodka range - Smirnoff Blueberry (rrp £14.79) in a bid to fuel further growth of the category. So far, so good - according to Diageo its Bristol trial saw "outstanding" results. Smirnoff Blueberry is promoted to be served with lemonade, making it easy for consumers to create a long, mixed spirit drink at home.

With an approach more akin to gin making due to its selection of "botanicals", creators of Elements Eight spiced rum (rrp £29.99) has included cinnamon, ginger, clove, star anise, vanilla, honey, nutmeg, orange, lemon and coconut in the mix. All are 100% natural and indigenous to St Lucia, where Elements Eight rums are distilled. Co-creator, Carl Stephenson said: "We wanted to replicate what we did with Elements Eight Gold and Platinum, but for the spiced rum category. This is a sector that is yet to feature a super-premium version and we took our time (18 months) to create what we feel is the perfect blend."
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Are you a multiple looking to stock a straightforward, accessible-style, fruit-forward Rioja? If so, the Berceo Nueva Generación (rrp £6.99) is aimed at you. This is the latest release from Bodegas Luis Gurpegui Muga, one of the leading and oldest producers of wines from Rioja and Navarra, established in 1872. The family estate produces one of Spain's most successful high-volume, young, fruity Riojas, Vinadrian. It also produces one of its most premium, Los Dominios de Berceo Prefiloxerico (rrp £6.99), which comes from the only surviving pre-phylloxera red grape vineyard in Rioja from 2ha which were planted more than 140 years ago.
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It must have been a sad, sad day for Royal Navy sailors when the last rum ration was issued to them on July 31, 1970.

At WineFuture in Rioja in 2009, when Justin Howard-Sneyd was buying manager at Waitrose, he said there were two ways ahead for UK supermarket wine divisions upmarket or down.

It was a great feeling on the day to win Sommelier of the Year 2010, I had worked very hard to achieve it and was quite overwhelmed.