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MV GROUP – A wide range from the Baltic states

MV Group is one of the largest business groups in the Baltic states. There are four divisions responsible for the production of alcoholic drinks: Stumbras, Alita, Anykš i vynas and Gubernija - the oldest brewery in Lithuania, with more than 350 years of experience under its belt. The factory specialises in beer, kvass and other drinks. Another member of the group is Mineraliniai Vandenys, the leading wholesaler for alcohol, tobacco, and other consumer goods in the Baltic countries, with subsidiaries in Latvia, Estonia and Poland, and the specialist chainstore Bottlery, where over 1,000 drink brands as well as snacks and table accessories are sold. Tromina, one of the most innovative, stable and fastest-growing logistics businesses in Lithuania, manages a 35,000 m2 storage area and offers a comprehensive range of services – from storage and preparation of goods to sales, transport, distribution, accounting and invoicing.

Alita is one of the oldest and well-known manufacturers of sparkling wines and spirits in Lithuania. The portfolio includes sparkling wines, brandies, bitters, cocktails, carbonated drinks, vodka and other spirits. A large percentage of the production is exported. Stumbras is one of the oldest and largest manufacturers of alcoholic drinks in the Baltic region, and specialises in vodka, bitters, liqueurs and brandy. Anykšciu vynas is one of the oldest businesses in the southern Baltic region, well-known for fruit and berry wines, cider, bitters, liqueurs as well as concentrated juices, mostly from regional raw materials.

At the World Spirits Award, there was silver for Alita Brandy XO.

DiGusti: Quality products from Italy to the Netherlands

Foods and beverages from Italy are the focus at DiGusti, founded in 2010 by Ingmar Berkhout. The driving force from the beginning was his great passion for food. He began with 20 products and today DiGusti is one of the largest Italian products wholesalers in the Netherlands, with more than 200 products from small manufacturers in Italy.

The company helps small farmers to sell products from their home country abroad. Quality and purity are very important when it comes to determining the range of products. The online shop is a real A to Z of Italian delicacies – from antipasti and balsamic vinegar to olive oil and truffles to ‘zoete lekkernijen’ for those with a sweet tooth. They all have a tale to tell about how Italian food has traditionally been enjoyed.

The recipes for the spirits are developed by DiGusti along with the producers. For the Limoncello, Feliciano exclusively processes big lemons in a little town on the Sorrento coast, while the Limoncioccolat by Marco is produced in a village in the mountains on the Amalfi coast.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Limoncioccolat, Limoncello and Mandarinello.

Schwarze & Schlichte – Brand personalities from Westphalia

The family business Schwarze & Schlichte from Westphalia has been representing the highest quality spirits for the last 345 years with a distinct range of national specialities, regional traditional brands and successful international innovations. This top quality is based on a distilling tradition acquired over centuries which has been passed down over twelve generations. Even today, distilling and maceration still take place at the company’s own distillery where plenty of time and skill are invested. The selection and processing of the best raw materials and continuous control of the production process ensure a consistently high quality. One factor for success is the ongoing brand management in accordance with the specific requirements of the various brand personalities.

Three Sixty Vodka is one of the purest and mildest vodkas in the world. A fourfold distillation process ensures tangible softness and exceptional clarity while the purity of the vodka is all down to the time-consuming “Diamond Filtration” process: the finest filters are used, set with crystals like diamond dust, to remove even the smallest of suspended particles from the distillate. Even the packaging is unique: the facet-cut bottle of pure white shiny glass sets off this premium vodka to perfection. A black velvet label completes the sophisticated design.

The Grappa Bianca from Scavi & Ray is characterised by its full-bodied balanced flavour with powerful and intense aromas of marc. This crystal-clear brandy is soft and deliciously balanced thanks to the exquisite skill of the master distillery. The intense and fruity aroma is reminiscent of the sun-soaked vineyards in Italy.

Both products received a silver medal at the World-Spirits.