Cheers To a Summer of Sport

Lewis Hamilton, Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen all enjoy its taste and flavour. It is the new drink of champions and winners.

Ferrari Trento is the Official Sparkling Wine of the Formula 1 World Championship. The three year partnership sees Ferrari Trento’s award-winning Italian methedo classico sparkling wine poured and sprayed on all occasions on and off the podium.

Appointed as Formula One‘s official celebratory partner victory drink and toast maker, the Trentino winery has been producing luxury Trentodoc wines since 1902 and run by the Lunelli family since 1952.

Ferrari Trento’s President and CEO, Matteo Lunelli commented:

“It’s an achievement that demonstrates the renown that our wines enjoy internationally. It’s a starting point because we are just beginning this extraordinary adventure that will allow us to bring the Italian Art of Living to the celebrations of Formula 1.”

The Ferrari F1® Limited Edition is a special Blanc de Blancs cuvée celebrates some of the iconic Grands Prix in the FIA. It is available for the Formula 1® Lenovo British Grand Prix (July 1-3 ) for £39.99 from northandsouthwines.co.uk.

Simone Masè, General Manager of the Lunelli Group, added:

“This collaboration is based on shared values, such as the pursuit of excellence in every detail, innovation and passion.”

Ferrari F1 Silverstone Circuit Limited Edition sparkling wine
Ferrari F1® Silverstone Circuit Limited Edition – Photo credit: Ferrari Trento

Champagne and motorsport are synonymous. The first bottle of shampoo was presented to the winning driver at the first French Grand Prix at the Gueux circuit. But it remained unopened. the first driver to pop one was Jo Siffert in 1996 at the Le Mans 24 Hour. The next year, American Dan Gurney established it as a tradition.

GH Mumm Cordon Rouge, Carbon and Moet & Chandon have all been official suppliers of Formula One Racing. At the first Bahrain Grand Prix in 2004 drivers had to shake up, swig and spray a pomegranate, trinj and rose water drink. The Williams team when sponsored by Saudi Airlines had to celebrate with orange juice. But now the $3,000 jeroboams are no more. Perhaps Prosecco will be next. Or something lo-no.

Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO, Formula 1, said of the new team:

“Celebrating success is in both our DNA and having Ferrari Trento at the heart of the sport’s most iconic celebratory moment makes them such a natural partner for us.”

Ferrari wine was founded by Giulio Ferrari. All Ferrari labels are bottle fermented sparkling wines produced with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. A Ferrari Trentodoc Jeroboam bottle made its first Grand Prix podium at Monza in 1980.  The sparkling wine for the new season is said to have “a crescendoing finish”.

The London brand Sipsmith is the official gin of Wimbledon. GH Mumm Champagne is the official drinks sponsor of the America’s Cup, the oldest trophy in international sport, going back to 1851. E. & J. Gallo, which counts Barefoot Wines and Clos du Bois among its portfolio, is the official wine sponsor of the US National Football League (NFL).

Loch Lomond European Tour whisky collection – Photo credit: Loch Lomond Group
Loch Lomond European Tour whisky collection – Photo credit: Loch Lomond Group

But now the oldest golfing major has its own latest official spirit too. And it comes in a bottle. Not a claret jug.

The Open Championship has special whiskies created by master blender Michael Henry. Loch Lomond agreed a five year partnership with the organisers of The Open in February 2018.

The Loch Lomond Group, which owns Glen Scotia, Glengarry and Littlemill whiskies, also has a European Tour whisky collection.

Colin Matthews, CEO of Loch Lomond Group, said:

“Both our Special Edition and Open Course Collection expressions are very special limited editions and are emblematic of the true diversity and distilling expertise we have at our Loch Lomond Distillery, and mark Loch Lomond Whiskies’ first trip to Royal St George’s as the official spirit of The Open perfectly.”

Darren Clarke and Colin Montgomerie collaborated with Loch Lomond on the creation of whiskies to mark the 2019 Open. Last year, Lee Westwood helped to create a 25-year-old single malt.

To celebrate the 150th Open, being held at St Andrews, The Open Special Edition 2022 has been created in another partnership with golfer Colin Montgomerie. The 46% ABV bottling has been aged in American oak casks before being finished in Bordeaux red wine barriques.

The Open Course Edition 2022 pays homage to all of the golf courses where the competition has taken place.

Distilled 22 years ago, the 48.2% ABV whisky was aged in American oak casks and finished in Haut-Médoc claret barriques for three years.

Chapel Down official sport sparkling wine
Chapel Down official sparkling wine for the England and Wales Cricket Board – Photo credit: Chapel Down

Dewar’s is the official blended Scots whisky of the US Open. Mike Davis, CEO of the USGA, commented:

“Dewar’s blended Scotch whisky, like the game itself, can trace its prestigious lineage to the windswept dunes and lush valleys of Scotland. It’s an honour to partner with an iconic brand with a rich history that is often associated with the game. We look forward to collaborating with Dewar’s on new experiences for U.S. Open Championship fans.”

Brian Cox, Vice President of Dewar’s North America, added:

“Dewar’s and the U.S. Open Championship share many of the same values rooted in a passion for the game and an embrace of its spirit of sportsmanship, authenticity and camaraderie. We are truly delighted to partner with the U.S. Open Championship to bring exciting and memorable experiences to fans around this special event.”

As part of the partnership commitment, Dewar’s will produce a special limited-edition commemorative bottle each year.

In December 2021, the Rugby Football Union appointed English brand Samuel Gulliver & Co as the official whisky of English Rugby. Ireland is fuelled by Guinness and Glenisk yoghurt.

Made in Scotland Hendrick’s Gin is now the official gin at Lord’s Cricket Ground. Andy Muggleton, commercial director at the MCC, said:

“We think the fit with Hendrick’s Gin is perfect for our customers and hope that they enjoy the GIN-terval breaks.”

Chapel Down has become the official sparkling wine for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).  It is already the official sparkling wine of Ascot Racecourse and the Oxford & Cambridge Boat Race.

Author Bio:

Kevin Pilley is a former professional cricketer and chief staff writer of PUNCH magazine. His humour, travel, food and drink work appears worldwide and he has been published in over 800 titles.

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