Wgtn Distillery Explodes Onto International Snappes Market

Wellington, Tuesday, April 6, 2011 – ZUMWOHL, the New Zealand-made premium Schnapps, has exploded onto the world Schnapps market by winning a Gold Medal for its Natural Schnapps and a Silver Medal for its Plum Schnapps at the World Spirits Competition held in San Francisco in March.

Click for big version

The competition drew a record 1106 entries from 61 countries this year. Entries are evaluated in blind tastings by 33 of the finest palates in the international spirits industry. ZUMWOHL managed to beat out a host of other international competitors to claim these coveted awards at the world's most reputable and influential spirits competition.

The international accolade for ZUMWOHL (pronounced “Zoom Vol” and means “A Toast To Your Good Health” in German) has delighted Ulf Fuhrer, the German-born New Zealander who is the Founder and Managing Director of Wellington boutique distillery, Aotearoa Distillers Ltd, which makes ZUMWOHL.

“We launched ZUMWOHL onto the market just 18 months ago and this is our first entry into the competition. Needless to say, we are ecstatic with the awards and are planning to market the drink with the intensity that it deserves now that it has achieved international recognition,” says Ulf.

ZUMWOHL was inspired by Ulf’s conviction that New Zealand was ready to be properly introduced to what he and many other connoisseurs of fine spirits around the world have known and loved for centuries. His dream to develop a traditional Schnapps in New Zealand came closer to reality when he met and began working with Anthony Green, the New Zealand spirit industry veteran. Ulf believes that ZUMWOHL’s international success reflects the purist approach to making this German-style Schnapps drink, reminiscent of the Schnapps he used to drink in Germany.

Anthony, a fellow Director of Aotearoa Distillers Ltd, its Distiller and Head of Production says in creating ZUMWOHL, he has “taken the very best from traditional Schnapps-making methods and improved these by using the best processes, natural ingredients and flavours that New Zealand has to offer”.

Ulf added, “ZUMWOHL has a crisp, fresh aroma and buttery taste. It is silky smooth and delivers well-rounded flavours when it crosses the palate. It can be enjoyed in a variety of ways as a shot, a cocktail or a beer chaser. It is also available in a Feijoa flavour, to reflect its Kiwi origins. It is definitely not a sweet and syrupy drink, a common misconception people have of a Schnapps drink.”

ZUMWOHL is distilled and bottled at Aotearoa Distillers Ltd's Upper Hutt premises. It is available nationwide at Liquor King and The Mill retail outlets as well as at quality bars around New Zealand. These include Agents & Merchants in Auckland, East Tiger in Hamilton, The Establishment and Bettys Function House & Bar in Wellington, The Twist Hop in Christchurch, Albar in Dunedin and Guilty Bar and Restaurant in Queenstown.

ENDS

© Scoop Media