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United Wines launches newest member of Birra Moretti ‘famiglia’ in Northern Ireland.

A refreshing new Italian beer with ‘a hint of sea salt’ has reached Northern Ireland’s shores, courtesy of leading lager brand Birra Moretti  and Craigavon-based distributor United Wines.

Sale di Mare, which translates as ‘salt of the sea’, is the newest member of the Birra Moretti ‘famiglia’ and promises to refresh the local lager market with an authentic taste of the Italian coast.

Harvested from Sicily, Sale di Mare (pronounced ‘sah-lay dee Mahers-ray’) is a naturally unfiltered, medium-bodied premium lager (4.8% ABV), brewed with Italian passion and the finest quality ingredients.

Slightly hazy in colour, its extra hop aromas give a fuller taste than Birra Moretti L’Autentica, with herbal aromas of citrus and pine.

With sea salt commonly used in food to enrich flavours, Sale di Mare isn’t just great as a stand-alone beer, but also paired with food, its taste profile perfectly complementing some of Italy’s finest coast-inspired dishes.

United Wines Brand Manager, David Greenlees, believes the new lager will tempt ‘curious’ drinkers and encourage more people to discover beer this summer. He said, “We are absolutely thrilled to introduce Sale di Mare to the Northern Ireland market. With its crisp, refreshing taste and very cool Italian coast vibe, it’s a perfect beer for the summer, so let’s hope we get some well-deserved sunshine over the next few months! If not, just close your eyes, take a sip and imagine you’re basking in the Sicilian sun.

“Research shows that 37%** of consumers like trying new drinks brands, and we’re sure that the Northern Ireland public will be very curious to try this interesting new beer from the popular Birra Moretti brand.

“Lager is the second most traded-up category** with one-fifth of consumers likely to trade up, and over half of consumers willing to pay more for better quality.

“The launch of Sale di Mare in Northern Ireland gives local outlets a great opportunity to build on their premium continental lager offering with a huge market-leading brand.”

Italian beers account for almost two-thirds* of all lager sales in the UK, with Birra Moretti the biggest brand, having surpassed over £1 billion of retail sales in the last year.

The company has developed Sale di Mare in response to the rising demand for Continental-style lagers. With a strong 22% value growth* in the UK over the past year, Continental lager is the largest sub-category in packaged lager – worth over £330 million* and stocked in over 70% of all On-Trade outlets.

Sale di Mare is now available from United Wines in 330ml and 660ml bottles.

For more information, visit: https://unitedwines.co.uk/brand/birra-moretti-sale-di-mare/

Sources:

CGA MAT P9 2023, OPUS 2023 – **

OPUS 2023 – *

United Wines Brand Manager David Greenlees.

Galgorm, Northern Ireland’s luxury, premier hotel renowned for its immersive experiences, has partnered with Natural Spa Factory to introduce the bespoke Cora Collection- an exclusive skin and hair brand featuring shampoo, conditioner, hand wash, hand lotion and body wash.

Aligning with Galgorm’s ethos, the Cora brand captures the spirit of the resort’s surroundings, encapsulating the natural beauty of the 450 acres of lush parklands. Nestled beside the majestic River Maine, the resort draws inspiration from the rhythmic flow of the water, and it is this inspiration that has given birth to the Cora product range.

Cora, the Irish word for weir, encapsulates the essence of the River Maine weaving a narrative that connects to the heart of Galgorm’s surroundings. The new brand encompasses the river, dancing over the weir with grace and power, embodying the dynamic harmony of nature. This energy is harnessed in each bottle of Cora, bringing the purity of the river straight to the bespoke range of exclusive products.

Designed with meticulous care, this product range is tailored for the flagship Galgorm and all properties within The Collection, including The Rabbit Hotel & Retreat in Templepatrick and The Old Inn, Crawfordsburn. It will also be available in the facilities in Galgorm Collection’s Belfast city-centre restaurants Fratelli and Parisien.

In perfect harmony with a promise to natural, eco-conscious, and luxurious experiences, Natural Spa Factory is an independent business nestled amid the breathtaking beauty of Somerset and deeply woven into a tapestry of cultural and natural richness. Both Galgorm and Natural Spa Factory’s commitments to excellence are reflected in the creation of Cora, which has been exclusively designed to cater to the unique needs of Galgorm’s guests and visitors.

The Cora Collection is vegan-friendly and devoid of harmful chemicals, making it an eco-conscious choice for guests. From the captivating fragrance of botanical wonders to the inclusion of skin-loving ingredients like Meadowfoam Seed Oil and Shea Butter, Cora provides a sensory journey for both the skin and hair. What sets Cora apart is its universal fragrance – a harmonious blend of citrus fruit.

Tara Moore, Head of Spa Operations, emphasising the significance of this collaboration, stated: “Our partnership with Natural Spa Factory is a commitment to responsible luxury. Aligned with our sustainability ethos, Cora’s cruelty-free formulations embrace bio-based surfactants, upcycled ingredients and natural antioxidants. Cora not only revitalises one’s body and soul but also pays homage to the well-being of our planet.”

Galgorm Collection is committed to being fully carbon neutral by 2030, pledging to be the first premier hospitality group on the island of Ireland to go fully green. A refill system containing Cora products will replace individual mini toiletries in all hotel rooms and suites across The Collection, significantly reducing plastic waste.

Galgorm Collection is a major employer in the region and has a workforce of over 1,000 staff and in 2023, it also became the first hospitality group on the island of Ireland to achieve official ‘Great Place to Work’ certification based on exceptional employee experience.

Cora is featured in guest rooms, spas and bathrooms throughout The Collection, allowing guests to immerse themselves in luxury regardless of the property. For those seeking to extend the experience beyond their stay, the Cora products are also available for purchase at Galgorm’s boutique and available to purchase online at www.galgorm.com.

Queen’s University Belfast has brought together world-leading academics and professionals for an arts and conflict resolution showcase in New York City, highlighting the vital role both play in promoting peace.

A one-day symposium reflected on the role played by artists throughout the peace process at the American Irish Historical Society. Speakers looked at those who use theatre, film and testimony to address the complex legacies of conflict that exist in Northern Ireland today.

Professor Anna Bryson from School of Law, Queen’s University Belfast was at the event and said: “A big takeaway from this event is the overlaps, tensions and shared learnings from academics and professional working in different areas. Theatre can amplify law, justice and reconciliation. Innovative theatre techniques can help us reach people about social justice, accessing these difficult concepts in a more authentic way.”

The playwright behind one of Northern Ireland’s most critically acclaimed plays, ‘Agreement’, Owen McCafferty also attended the showcase and said: “I think the arts succeed in telling the story of a society because they make it accessible. Whereas the thing itself that may seem distant, art can make it understandable; it can make it human.”

Queen’s later hosted a special performance of ‘Agreement’ as the Irish Arts Centre, preceded by an In Conversation with Queen’s alumnus and CNN correspondent Donie O’Sullivan.

Leading the showcase, Queen’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Sir Ian Greer, said: “Queen’s has always been a key arena for political debate, providing a safe environment for political leaders to have difficult and challenging conversations post-conflict. There are many learnings to be had, not only from experts in peace and reconciliation but also from those in the arts whose creativity to tell powerful stories can have a lasting impact on communities. It’s important as an academic institution, we look at these connected issues to better understand the complex legacies of conflict that continue to affect our communities and explore ways to share learnings on what is widely regarded as the world’s most successful peace process.”