FBG

Friends Beverage Group (FBG), a Florida-based privately held business, has introduced a new beverage category, the Friends Fun Wine In A Can Collection, in New York on 14 July 2013.

Introduced by HC & G founder Richard Ekstarct and his wife Eileen Ekstract, the Friends ‘Fun Wines’ are low alcohol Sangria and Moscato wines made from premium French grapes and bottled at 6% ABV.

Each 8.4oz or 250ml can has two 4.2oz servings with 75cal per serving.

Friends portfolio include six stock-keeping units (SKU’s) including, Original White, Pink, Peach and Strawberry Moscato, and Original White and Red Sangria, each with 6% ABV.

Blended from citrus and berries, the Moscatos and Sangrias offer good flavour and aroma.

The company has also developed other Moscato flavours, which will be launched in 2014.

Besides Fun Wine Collection, the company also offers the Friends Just Wine Collection, which includes Cabernet Merlot and Chardonnay Sauvignon that are bottled at 12% ABV.

Richard said they are happy to have the unique opportunity to introduce the next generation of innovative wine products to their friends.

"It’s all about fun! Influential Hamptonites will be among the first New Yorkers to taste the new beverages at our home in Bridgehampton this Sunday," Richard added.

"With over 100 media savvy guests, our friends will soon learn why Friends™ has generated so much excitement since its launch in Florida and Texas earlier this year, and why Eileen and I believe Friends™ will become a major trend."

Friends chairman Joe Bernstein said Friends is an everyday beverage for anyone who enjoys wine or beer and comes in a variety of flavours.

"Our wines are ‘delish,’ refreshing, affordable, convenient and portable, with a friendly taste. Our slim cans are attractive and 100% recyclable," he added.

"Friends™ is bringing a fusion of European style and thinking to the U.S., encouraging consumers to think outside the bottle and pair wine in a can with amazing experiences – not just food."

The new Friends category will be distributed in the New York Metro Area from September 2013 by Phoenix/Beehive of Brooklyn, New York.

Image: Friends Fun Wine in a Can. Photo courtesy of PRNewsFoto/Friends Beverage Group, LLC