The Tasting Panel magazine

JULY 2012

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CACHAÇA BOSSA On-Premise "When I was working in the U.K., I fi rst encountered BOSSA after several years of looking for a unique product to complete my bartending repertoire," recalls Fabrizio Buono, General Manager at Villagio, an upscale Italian restaurant in affl uent Coral Gables, Florida. Buono, who describes himself as a "cocktail" with his mixed British, A chic billboard in Miami makes a statement . . . BRAZILIAN SEXY COOL. example was securing a nationwide bottle placement in the trend-setting home design stores CB2, Crate & Barrel's modern destination. Impressed with CB2's "one-of-a-fi nds" design selections, Gomes approached Crate & Barrel and told them about BOSSA and how he believed CB2's customers would appreciate it. Since then, BOSSA bottles can be seen adorning CB2 store displays across the U.S. "Admiring customers regularly ask us to sell them the empty BOSSA bottles for their own home decoration," South Beach store Visual Merchant Alex Shulman notes. The exposure at CB2 became like a "certifi cate of cool" for BOSSA and it has prompted inquiries about product availability and event sponsorship opportunities stretching from San Francisco to New York. Around the same time, Rio-based H. Stern Jewelers reached out to BOSSA about stocking BOSSA Cachaça at their airport stores Boutique Brasil in Rio de Janeiro. H. Stern's head of mer- chandising felt that the product, from the inside out, was compatible with their own up-market image as a design leader in Brazil and around the world. Another development that validates BOSSA's potential in the U.S. as a unique Brazilian design brand was a call received from Lenny Kravitz's assistant in Manhattan. Kravitz was planning a launch party for his Brazil- inspired collection of wallpaper with Flavor Paper of New York, and the rocker/designer wanted BOSSA to be the spirit sponsor and they even offered to pay for the expenses to fl y the product express from BOSSA's warehouse in Europe. Like CB2, this was another clear piece of evidence that BOSSA's target mar- ket—style-conscious trendsetters—are naturally connecting with the brand. 98 / the tasting panel / july 2012 BOSSA is now bringing "Carioca" stateside via promotions at hand- selected venues such as Villagio Restaurant & Bar in Coral Gables, Florida. Here, BOSSA founder Cosme Gomes (right) is pictured with Villagio Manager Fabrizio Buono. Argentine and Italian heritage, continues, "After fi ve years in Miami catering to very discerning Latin customers, I was thrilled when BOSSA became available here at Villagio. At that time, we were actively seeking a spirit that would mix with a range of different fresh fruits and offer our mixologists versatility. Though the traditional Caipirinha sells well, we know that we often have to go beyond traditional to touch our customers' hearts." Hence, the BOSSA Passion, a Caipirinha variation that's a best-seller at Villagio. "Cosme has been a great ally, BOSSA Passion ◗ 2 oz. BOSSA Cachaça ◗ 1 whole lime, quartered ◗ 2 tsp. of fi ne sugar ◗ 1 oz. fresh passion fruit purée " says Buono, "often coming to the restaurant to train our staff and work with us to bring a lively Brazilian fl air to our Italian menu." Next Steps for BOSSA This year, cachaça is fi nally being offi cially recognized in the U.S. as a product exclusively from Brazil, and major spirits groups, including Bacardi, Campari and just recently Diageo, have all invested in their own brands of cachaça. Consequently, Gomes now feels he can no longer rely exclusively on BOSSA's organic growth and is for the fi rst time considering industry ◗ Muddle lime with sugar in a lowball glass. Add BOSSA and passion fruit pureé over ice. Stir. partners, including investors, to help him to spread the word about BOSSA on these shores and beyond. "Cachaça is hot, and Brazil is getting even hotter," assesses Gomes. "So, we are looking forward to allying with partners who are committed to helping BOSSA tell the story of why Brazil is like no other place on earth— and why BOSSA is the right brand to represent it." PHOTO: TOM CLARK

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