Scotch Whisky fans say 'oui' to unique wine experience at Lanarkshire distillery
A prominent Lanarkshire whisky distillery has seen unprecedented demand from whisky fans looking to attend a brand new wine experience.
Jackton Distillery, who make their own critically-acclaimed craft Scotch whiskies and gins, have partnered with a family-owned vineyard in France's Loire Valley to release a range of wine available only through the distillery.
Tickets for the first chance to meet the East Kilbride-based distillery's wine experts, alongside a pairing of selected French cheeses, sold out shortly after being put on sale - with a long wait-list forming for any cancellations.
The distillery have now announced a second wine event to meet demand, to take place on August 9.
The demand for the RAER Alliance range, the name of which refers to the historic 'Auld Alliance' between Scotland and France, has been driven by increased interest from consumers for wines with a UK connection.
'The modern UK wine customer is now looking to support local every time they buy - just look at the growing trend south of the border for English wine,' said RAER Alliance's director, Peter East, 30.
'With the best will in the world, we couldn't grow our own vines in Scotland – we don't exactly get Mediterranean weather in Glasgow – so it was amazing to have French winemaker Sébastien Fricker bring the French connection to us.'
'I'm not at all surprised that our first wine tasting completely sold out. This is a one-of-a-kind experience for whisky fans, and let me be totally honest here – the wines are simply 'magnifique'.'
There are currently six wines in the RAER Alliance range, all originating from the Domaine des Elettes vineyard in La Loire.
These include a sparkling AOP Crémant de Loire – the Loire Valley's version of a Champagne – which is made from hand-harvested grapes and traditionally aged for twelve months in Inox vats.
Bottles can be purchased direct from the distillery, or from select wine retailers in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Only a limited number of bottles are available for purchase each year.
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