Top 10 drinks launches from June
From white wines in Rioja to craft beers in Yorkshire, db rounds up the new launches we’ve had our eyes on this month.
VIÑEDOS DE SONSIERRA MALVASÍA
While better-known for its reds, Rioja’s white wines are gaining ground as producers revisit heritage varieties. Bodegas Sonsierra has launched its first varietal Malvasía, using grapes from vines planted in 1947 on a high, southfacing terrace in San Vicente de la Sonsierra. Long admired by winemaker Rafa Usoz, these vines were previously co-planted with Tempranillo, but have now been vinified separately in a micro-release of only 548 bottles. Aged in 500-litre French oak after a cool ferment, the 2022 vintage is textured and floral, with tropical fruit and pâtisserie notes.
RRP: £28
Contact: Grupo Sonsierra, sonsierra.com
VIÑA MORANDÉ EL CABERNET DE RÁNQUIL
Sourced from a near-forgotten plot of 120-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon vines in Chile’s Itata Valley, this new release from Viña Morandé explores the frontiers of the country’s viticultural potential. Grown in the Secano Costero’s granitic soils, rich in quartz, the wine reflects a terroir largely untouched by modern viticulture. Vines are own-rooted and almost freestanding, farmed using traditional methods, including horse-drawn ploughs. Aged for 16 months in French oak and two years in bottle, the 2020 vintage is limited to only 2,000 bottles.
RRP: £50
Contact: Morande, morande.cl
BARTON & GUESTIER CÔTES DE PROVENCE ROSÉ TOURMALINE
To mark its 300th anniversary, Barton & Guestier has released a limitededition Côtes de Provence Rosé featuring bottle artwork by French-Montreal
artist Isaure Atelier. The fully screen-printed design lends a contemporary touch to this classically Mediterranean wine. Certified Terra Vitis, the blend (led by Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault) delivers a pale pink rosé with ripe stone fruit and berry aromas.
RRP: £14.99
Contact: Barton & Guestier, barton-guestier.com
TEDESCHI GA.RY BIANCO
Best-known for its Amarone, the Tedeschi family is now venturing into new territory with GA.RY – a still white wine that blends Garganega (84%), Chardonnay (10%) and Riesling (6%). Hand-harvested at staggered times to maximise expression, GA.RY is crisp, full-bodied and aromatic, showing notes of moss, yellow fruit and floral tea. It’s a fresh direction from a heritage producer – and one that reflects a broader shift towards characterful northern Italian whites.
RRP: £29.99
Contact: Tedeschi, tedeschiwines.com
KLEIN CONSTANTIA VIN DE CONSTANCE 2010
To celebrate 340 years since its founding, South African producer Klein Constantia has unveiled a special release of its legendary sweet wine, Vin de Constance. The 2010 vintage, held back for 15 years and matured in French oak, shows a more opulent style than previous releases, with rich layers of honeysuckle, nutmeg and sandalwood. Once favoured by Napoleon and referenced by Jane Austen in her writing, with just seven barrels produced, this is a rare chance to own a piece of vinous history.
Partner Content
RRP: £140
Contact: Klein Constantia, kleinconstantia.com
BARRELL FULL PROOF BOURBON
Louisville-based Barrell Craft Spirits has released its first full proof Bourbon – a blend of straight Bourbons aged for between 11 and 20 years from Kentucky, Indiana and Tennessee. Unlike cask-strength bottlings, which reflect a barrel’s finishing proof, full proof refers to the spirit’s original entry strength. Cut back to 123 proof (61.5% ABV), the result is a powerful yet balanced whiskey with notes of hazelnut, chocolate, tobacco and leather.
RRP: US$199.99
Contact: Barrell Craft Spirits, barrellbourbon.com
ARDBEG SMOKIVERSE
Timed for Ardbeg Day 2025 on 31 May, this limited-edition release celebrates 25 years of the Ardbeg Committee and introduces the distillery’s first whisky made with a high-gravity mash. By reducing water during mashing, the resulting spirit boosts fruity esters and tropical notes not usually associated with Ardbeg’s famously peaty style. Aged in Bourbon casks and bottled at 48.3% ABV, Smokiverse offers aromas of smoked bubblegum and sourdough, followed by a palate of muscovado sugar, anise, tropical fruit and bonfire smoke. It’s a bold departure, yet unmistakably Ardbeg.
RRP: £93
Contact: Ardbeg, ardbeg.com
MOTH SPICY MARGARITA
Building on the success of its best-selling canned Margarita, MOTH has launched a fiery new take for summer: the Spicy Margarita. Made with award-winning Tequila Enemigo and a blend of three different chillies, this 14.9% ABV serve offers a “bar-strength hit of heat in a 125ml recyclable can”. Designed for convenience, it caters to the growing consumer appetite for both Tequila and bold flavour. Whether straight from the can or served over ice with a chilli rim on the glass, it’s available in UK supermarkets, luxury department store Harrods and online.
RRP: £3.99
Contact: MOTH, mothdrinks.com
CYGNET 77 CASK-AGED GIN
Launched exclusively at Harrods on World Earth Day in April, Cygnet 77 is the latest release from the Welsh gin brand founded by Katherine Jenkins OBE and husband Andrew Levitas. Distilled in Swansea and matured for more than 12 months in ex-Bourbon Welsh whisky casks with manuka honey, this 44% ABV gin has notes of juniper, camomile and caramelised honey, layered with oak spice and a silky finish. The gin comes bottled in a hand-blown, recyclable Eirlys decanter for a sustainable touch of luxury.
RRP: £129
Contact: Cygnet Gin, Cygnet-distillery.com
BREW YORK NINE REALMS SERIES
To mark its ninth anniversary, Brew York has launched the Nine Realms Series – a year-long, Norse mythology-inspired collection of 12 limitededition beers. The first wave includes Odin’s Gaze, a 5.2% NEIPA brewed with Northern Monk (£4.40); Cosmic Coil, a tart cherry-and-peach sour at 4.5% (£4.10); Celestial Steed, an 8.5% chocolate and matcha parfait stout (£5.70); and Fenrir’s Howl, an 11% whisky and Bourbon barrel-aged spiced imperial stout (£8.10). The remaining beers will roll out monthly during 2025, celebrating York’s Viking heritage with bold styles and creative collaborations.
RRP: £4.10–£8.10
Contact: Brew York, brewyork.co.uk
Related news
Is organic wine really better for you? Here's what the experts say
