Pernod Ricard UK has released Leaps & Bounds, a new range of Australian wines inspired by dogs. The range will launch with a shiraz and a chardonnay, with a sauvignon blanc and a merlot coming in the near future. The bottle labels showcase dogs’ “inquisitiveness, bravery and loyalty,” says the brand.
The Chardonnay champions the “legendary Pickles,” a black and white collie known for finding the stolen 1966 World Cup trophy, while the Shiraz features “Bob,” a masterless dog who travelled thousands of miles as a companion to many train drivers and engineers in South Australia. The sauvignon blanc features Bud, who was the companion of Horatio Nelson Jackson and together they became the first to drive an automobile across the USA. The Merlot stars Betsy who was the world’s most intelligent dog. Her brilliance and lateral thinking were thought to rival that of the great ape.
Leaps & Bounds was conceived after it was revealed by Toluna Quantitive Research that 80% of UK wine drinkers love dogs.
“The relationship we have with dogs is unique, and the UK has seen a huge increase in dog owners over lockdown and Leaps & Bounds is perfectly positioned to capitalise on their popularity,” said Lucy Bearman, wine portfolio director for Pernod Ricard UK.
Leaps & Bounds is the newest addition to Pernod Ricard UK’s range of premium wines. The launch will be supported by a digital program of events including influencer activity to engage consumers.
Bottled at 14% ABV, Leaps & Bounds is available exclusively from Amazon for £9.
For more information, head over to the brand’s official website.
Elsewhere in the UK for drinking and dog lovers, a London drinking spot called After Bark is now serving plant-based ‘puptails’ – cocktails for four-legged patrons. Visitors to the Barkney Wick dog and human community centre in the London borough of Hackney are now being catered for with the availability of these dog-friendly drinks.