Like the rest of the world, the champagne industry is scrambling to reduce its impact on the environment. After all, the wine industry will be one of the first to be affected by climate change.
The house of Ruinart adds to these efforts with the introduction of the Second Skin case, a fully recyclable packaging that envelops the wine bottle like, well, a second skin, highlighting the champagne’s iconic bottle shape. For easy bottle access, the coffret opens up like a clamshell and shuts with the help of a clasp cleverly built into the packaging itself.
Produced from 100 per cent cellulose fibres, the Second Skin has a smooth, matte texture, reminiscent of Crayères de Reims, the chalk quarries/natural cellars where Ruinart is aged.
How sustainable is it? The new packaging is nine times lighter than its predecessor; while its carbon footprint has been reduced by 60 per cent. All of the paper used comes from sustainably managed European forests, and 91 per cent of water used ends up being clean enough to be released back into nature after filtering. As a bonus, the Second Skin can stay on when you shelve your wine or put it on a rack – reducing chances of light damage (considering Ruinart’s clear bottles) even further.
More information can be found on the Ruinart website.
Citadelle Gin Jardin d’ete
Just in time for the current heatwave: French gin producers Citadelle has come up with a summer variant that blends a layer of fruits, citrus, and herbs on top of Citadelle’s already New World-leaning profile. 22 botanicals – including one of the stars, Charentais melon – make up the blend; with citrus, melon, and spice notes standing out the most for us. Finishes slight sweet and bright – perfect for a refreshing gin and tonic (they suggest East & Imperial’s Yuzu Tonic), or in a lighter-style martini, made drier to let the gin’s botanicals shine. Garnish with a melon ball.
Available from EC Proof.
Lyre’s canned non-alcoholic cocktails
Get all the flavour of a classic cocktail without the buzz with Lyre’s range of read-to-drink cocktails. These come in flavours that mimic refreshing long drinks, like the Amalfi Spritz, a take on an Aperol Spritz; and a non-alcoholic gin and tonic. Tip both into glasses with plenty of ice and a garnish of your choice, and you’re ready to take on the dog days sober. There’s also a Prosecco analogue, the Classico, which has flavours of peach and granny smith apples – great on its own or with a splash of soda and actual Aperol for a low ABV spritz.
Available from the Lyre’s e-store.
Edelweiss Wheat Beer
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Asia Pacific Breweries adds a wheat beer to its portfolio. The Edelweiss draws its recipe from the Austrian alps, and is brewed using Alpine water, and a touch of herbs like sage, coriander, and elderflower – resulting in a refreshing, easy brew with a fruity finish.
This article first appeared in The Peak Singapore.
