JSC “Latvijas balzams” will extend its product line of sparkling wines with a new limited edition beverage “Rīgas Dīva Strawberry Chocolate Limited Edition”. Production of the beverage was launched this week. This will be the fourth beverage in “Rīgas Dīva” product line that was launched in 2012. A limited amount of “Rīgas Dīva Strawberry Chocolate Limited Edition” — only 25 thousand bottles — will be produced and sold in the local market.

Representative of “Latvijas balzams” product wholesaler - SIA “SPI Distribution Latvia” and “Rīgas Dīva” Brand Manager Līga Čakste points out that products of   “Rīgas Dīva” beverage line have performed well in domestic market presenting 31% growth in the nine month of the current year  versus the same period of the last year, thereby acknowledging the recognition of the beverage that was launched only last year.

“Despite the fact that overall the category of sparkling wines, including the imported beverages, currently doesn’t show growth in Latvia, the beverages of “Rīgas Dīva” product line maintain an increasing sales tendency, which is based on good recognition of these products in the local market, excellent quality, as well as active renewal of the product line by  introduction of new flavours, following the demand and the latest beverage industry  trends,” a representative of the product wholesaler “SPI Distribution Latvia” L. Čakste believes.

Strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate flavours, represented by the new “Rīgas Dīva Strawberry Chocolate Limited Edition”, is a response to global flavour trends, JSC  “Latvijas balzams” Head of Marketing Innovations Līga Brasliņa explains. She accents that global trends of the recent years show that consumers are moving forward to the sweet, “flowery” flavours, and this trend  takes over even the segment of strong alcoholic beverages such as brandy and vodka.

“One must enjoy the life, indulge oneself — this is how we can characterise the mood expressed by the new generation of consumers, representing those born after 1980. This is the time when the welfare level of the society has enabled enjoyment of the sweet flavours and the diversity of sweets in childhood, which has influenced the choice of the whole generation and demand for juicy, sweet flavours also within the product range of alcohol,” the expert of “Latvijas balzams” reveals.

“Rīgas Dīva Strawberry Chocolate Limited Edition” is the fourth beverage in the product line of “Rīgas Dīva”, launched by the company in 2012 by releasing “Rīgas Dīva Red Fusion”, “Rīgas Dīva Gold Fusion”, and later on also “Rīgas Dīva Rose Fusion”. The first of the mentioned beverages received a significant award in 2012 — an award of the leading global information and measurement company Nielsen as the most successful new product in the group of strong alcoholic beverages* in Latvia.

The new beverage will be available in retail chains in the middle of November — before the state holidays.

*According to Nielsen classification

Additional information:

Dana Hasana

JSC “Latvijas balzams” Communications Manager

Phone: +371 67011711

Mob. phone:+371 26355895

E-mail: dana.hasana@lb.lv

www.lb.lv

About JSC “Latvijas balzams”

JSC “Latvijas balzams” is a leading producer of alcohol beverages in the Baltics with a history steeped in tradition since 1900. Company represents 24% of Baltics alcoholic beverages market. Its biggest pride, “Riga Black Balsam”, is one of the oldest alcohol beverage brands in Europe rooted in 1752. The company has a distillery of strong alcohol beverages and sparkling wines and light alcohol beverages production plant in Riga.

JSC “Latvijas balzams” employs 600 people and is one of the biggest taxpayers in Latvia. JSC “Latvijas balsams” with more than 100 product names is represented in almost all segments of strong and light alcohol beverages, with many market leaders in Latvia. Among the company’s products are such worldwide known brands as “Stolichnaya”, “Moskovskaya”, “Riga Black Balsam” and “Rīgas Sparkling Wine”.

JSC “Latvijas balzams” is one of the most significant exporters in Latvia – its products are available in more than 160 countries through SPI Group and in over 30 markets through direct export. The company’s quality management system is certified in accordance with ISO standards and has won hundreds of awards in various international and domestic competitions and has obtained numerous quality certificates. In May 2013 JSC “Latvijas balzams” was awarded a silver medal in the Sustainability Index, improving its overall performance compared to the previous year.