Beverage Bites: news up to June 12, 2015

‘Shattering’ Prosecco recall; PepsiCo scores with UEFA partnership; and more beverage bites

By Rachel Arthur

- Last updated on GMT

PepsiMax partners with UEFA Champions League
PepsiMax partners with UEFA Champions League
This week PepsiCo announced Gatorade and PepsiMax will lead its partnership with the UEFA Champions League, while Diageo shares rose on takeover rumours. Meanwhile, we can breathe easy that Prosecco may not run out after all… read on for more beverage bites. 

‘Shattering’ Prosecco recall

The Wine Society, a UK club for wine fans, is recalling some lots of Prosecco Brut I Duecento after reports of some bottles shattering.

The product has only been sold via mail order, and the society has contacted customers who purchased the product.

Members who still have the Italian sparkling wine have been asked to wrap individual bottles in a cloth, place them in a plastic bag and carton, and leave them in a cool place to await collection. The bottles should not be opened.

Announced yesterday, the recall affects lot numbers L5124, L5113BV3TI, L5012, L4296, L4266, and L4147.

“Following the recent recall of The Society’s Prosecco, we have received similar reports of a small number of bottles of IT17411 Prosecco Brut I Duecento ‘shattering’ in members’ wine racks,” ​said The Wine Society. “Whilst the incidence of shattering bottles is limited, as a precaution we have taken the decision to recall all remaining bottles of this wine.”

Last October supermarket ASDA recalled five lot codes of Prosecco Spumante Extra Dry​ because of the risk of bottles shattering.

baileys
Diageo's Baileys

Diageo takeover speculation

Rumours hit this week that billionaire Jorge Paulo Lemann and other executives are considering a takeover bid for Diageo.

The news originated from Veja, a Brazilian news magazine, reports Bloomberg.

Headquartered in London, Diageo has a global portfolio across spirits, beer and wine categories. Its brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Smirnoff, Baileys, and Guinness.

PepsiCo scores: UEFA partnership

PepsiCo is partnering with the UEFA Champions League, the European club football tournament, it announced on Tuesday.

Gatorade, Pepsi Max, and Lay’s / Walkers will be the lead brands for the tournament, while Doritos, Lipton, and 7UP brands will also feature.

Pepsi UEFA

Ramon Laguarta, CEO, PepsiCo Europe, said the partnership would take PepsiCo’s relationship with football ‘to another level,’​ with more than a billion fans watching matches each season.

The partnership will begin next month, ahead of the 2015/2016 season.

PepsiCo’s other  sports partners include the National Basketball Association, Natural Football League, National Hockey League, Indian Premier League, Major League Baseball, and International Cricket Council.

Breathe easy: We’re not going to run out of Prosecco after all

Last month the media widely reported a worrying prospect – ‘Prosecco is in danger of running out.’

But the Prosecco DOC Consortium, the institution that protects, upholds and promotes the standards of the Italian wine, says there will not be a shortage in the coming months, reports Harpers.

The organisation confirms that last year’s harvest was affected by bad weather and that yields were under the maximum. However, certified production yields were up 17.9% on the previous year’s harvest.

Celli acquires ADS2 Group

Celli S.p.A (an Italian supplier to the drinks dispense and accessory sector) has acquired ADS2 Group (a UK-based company specialising in bespoke beer tower and point of sale design).

ADS2 Group will keep its headquarters in Kettering and the business’ operations will continue as before.

And finally… Do you ‘like’ what you’re reading?

BeverageDaily.com has zoomed past the 1,000 ‘likes’ milestone on our Facebook page this week.

While maybe not the most dramatic item of news to hit the industry this week, it’s worth mentioning you can join other readers on our Facebook page (click here​); or follow us on Twitter @beveragedaily

See the related news section below for more of this week's top stories. 

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