Bar Gets You Tipsy On Its Air

“Adults are often reminded to drink responsibly but customers entering a new cocktail bar where they are literally enveloped in a mist of alcohol are warned to breathe responsibly. Just 40 minutes inside the venue – which delivers an intoxicating vapour of gin and tonic – will leave you feeling slightly merry. Punters are also advised to don special protective suits as they enter the walk-in cocktail to avoid going home smelling like a brewery. To complement the whiff of G&T the bar is decorated with giant limes and massive straws to make visitors feel as if they are inside the drink.” w/ photo

Beer Soap, anyone?

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Crap French Wine Flying Off Shelves

Frustrated French vitners are fed up with slow sales, so they decided to try an unusual marketing gimmick: naming their wine "Le Vin de Merde" or "Crap Wine."

Restauranteur Jean-Marc Speziale and winemaker Walter Valgalier concocted their devilish little PR tactic in the caves of Gignac, near Montpellier. Speziale told Just-Drinks.com that the canny name acts as a backhanded compliment to Languedoc’s underappreciated wine.

"This draws attention to the fact that we make very good wines," Speziale said. In actuality, Vin de Merde hardly lives up to its name–thankfully. Bottles sell for 7 euros (somewhat pricey by French standards) and are flying off shelves of local carriers. It seems, for now, that this publicity stunt initiated out of angst and frustration is wholeheartedly succeeding.

It’s brilliant: if the customers don’t like the wine, then it’s their own fault for buying Crap! Link

Taste of Russia: Beaute du Siecle; Hennessy Cognac Treasure Chest

True, Russia is considered as the land of vodka, but it’s a tawny alcohol from France adds a spark of a Cognac Rush in the territory of hyper-rich oligarchs and aficionados. This occurrence is not driven by well-to-do Russians but also the emerging wealthy middle layers of society. Celebration of occasions doesn’t seem to be complete if the glaring bottle of crystal-encrusted cognac nestled with a fancy chest is not flowed. Not to forget the age and price of the cognac, which shares a directly proportional relationship.

Leading cognac brand Hennessy latest offering of ultra-Cognac-dream is Beauté du Siècle, an ornate treasure chest that comes packed with luxurious items, a Baccarat decanter carrying a blend of Cognac dated 1907. Counter 100 treasure chest are being designed by French artist Jean-Michel Othoniel and would go on sale for €150,000, or $220,000. The delivery with happen by a Hennessy board member personally. Also you can eye Hennessy’s Ellipse, a €7,000 Baccarat decanter that is an amalgam of Cognacs admired by seven generations of Hennessy’s blend-masters.

The four-big Cognac houses that rule Russia are Hennessy, dominating the minds of the people followed by Rémy Martin, Martell and Courvoisier combating for their share. Russia has reached to the pedestal of world’s No. 7 market for Cognac after a long race. It consumed around 5.3 million bottles during the year ending July, which is 49% more than the corresponding period a year ago.

Via IHT