Unconventional and easy drinking Versus Wines have two wines which will feature in the Best Value Wine Guide 2012.

The Versus White 2011 and the Versus Red 2010  will be in this handy wine guide.

This is the 4th year running that Versus wines will be featured in the Best Value Guide – and this year, our Versus Red was recognised with a Best Value Award for outstanding value after receiving a perfect score (scooping 20 points out of 20 possible points) for exceptional quality!

Of the 982 competing wines, 380 wines were selected for inclusion in the Best Value Guide and only 38 wines received a Best Value award, making this achievement a stellar success.

For more info on this guide visit winemag.co.za

Versus wines launches a refreshed, more colourful look this month, portraying the brand’s no-nonsense approach to wine and flair for the unconventional with lighter, brighter colours that make it more visually striking at point of purchase.

Chris O’Shea, Executive Director for Sales and Marketing at ‘the company of wine people explains, “After a process of extensive consumer research and consultation with industry experts and valued trade partners, we are confident that the new labels will achieve greater prominence on shelf while better demonstrating the unique personality of the Versus brand.”

He explains, “Our consumers have given us great insight into what needed to be changed on the packaging, and we have taken their input to ensure that the brand presence – which is already strong in South Africa and in other global markets – continues to grow.”

“Our consumers consider the clean, classic diamond logo to be iconic for the brand, so this remains but it has also been enhanced to be bolder and more visible on the label,” adds O’Shea.

He says, “The icon is further reinforced on the capsules, where the brand name ‘Versus’ is unconventionally printed in the shape of a diamond and set against the lighter, brighter colour palette.”

“Our consumers take a fun, lighthearted approach to wine drinking,” explains O’Shea. “Versus is loved by fans who want an easy-living wine that delivers on quality as well as a crisp, uncomplicated taste so now we have taste descriptors that tell them, purely and simply, what’s in the bottle – for example, ‘Crisp and Fruity’ or ‘Mellow and Smooth.’”

The Versus brand continues to bring a refreshing, fun approach to the enjoyment of wine through its innovations. “Our consumers are always on-the-go and embrace technology in the new media space,” he adds. “We now also make use of QR-codes on the label, which gives our consumers greater freedom to interact with the brand when, and where, they want to.”

Versus already enjoys a strong presence in South Africa and, with sales on the rise in both in South Africa and key European markets, it’s global footprint is expanding.

“This shows us that we are moving in the right direction and delivering on consumer insight to ensure greater demand,” O’Shea adds. “Versus continuously strives to challenge perceptions and the brand will see some innovative product developments – including the launch of a 2-litre Boxed Wine option – in the coming months.”

The bold and colourful new look of Versus wines is currently available on shelf.

Congratulations and thanks once again to our fabulous “Win a Party” winner, Mutonda Mutondwa! From the party pics it looks like it was a grand success and we’re so glad you enjoyed the Versus cocktails!

Here is Mutonda’s Facebook comment:

“Wow ,where do i begin !! im so happy with the way my party went . from the day i won the party till yesterday when it actually happened the versus team has been so great ,open communication and efficient planning.. the party was yesterday and everyone organised arrived on time from the liquidchef people who made the wonderful cocktails to the professional photographer, wow i was beyond impressed. the cocktails where so nice and all my guests truly enjoyed them each and every many options we were given. THANK YOU VERSUS WINES i even have so much left over bottles enough to host another party!!!!!THANK YOU.”

After receiving a record-number of close to 1000 entries –– Mutonda Mutondwa was selected as the lucky winner of our Versus ‘Win-a-Part’ competition! She quickly organized a group of her gorgeous friends for a celebration of note, complete with her own paparazzi.

One of the cocktail recipes Mutonda really enjoyed was the Versus Glamour Girl cocktail.  These cocktails were prepared by a team of LiquidChefs as tasty as the cocktails.

Recipe: Versus Glamour Girl

Ingredients

Peach Schnapps

Cranberry juice

Versus White

Method

Add ingredients to Boston glass, cubed ice, shake and strain

Garnish

Cherry dropped in glass

Here is an awesome cocktail and the ideal summer drink.

Ingredients

• 200g cranberries
• 50g caster sugar
• 150ml fresh orange juice
• 100 ml Versus Rosé wine
• 1 bottle chilled sparkling wine

Method

Place the cranberries, sugar and orange juice in a small pan and bring to the boil. Cover the pan and simmer over a low heat for 5 minutes until soft, then press through a fine mesh sieve and leave to cool. You should have about 200ml of thin purée. Cover and chill.

Give the purée a stir, then spoon a rounded tablespoon into six glasses. Add a tot Rosé wine per glass.  Fill up with fizz and give it a quick twizzle to blend.

Source: dailymail.co.uk

Bet your friends that you can make wine magically go into an upside down glass.

All you need is:

1. A shallow bowl or dish
2. ¼ glass of  Versus Red wine
3. A small candle
4. A friend willing to bet that you can’t do it

Here is how you do it:

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