What does it smell of ? It’s summery – a slightly sweet smell but minty with a firm touch of lemon. Villa Ascenti was launched as a “Super-Premium” gin with a focus on it’s Italy’s northwest Piemonte region heritage of “Moscato grapes, fresh mint and thyme”. So think of it as a very Mediterranean gin. Tanya Clarke, general manager of Diageo Reserve Europe, said: “Gin has been the runaway success story of the industry over the last decade and its growth trend shows no signs of slowing down.

Villa Ascenti Rosa Flavoured Gin | Ocado Villa Ascenti Rosa Flavoured Gin | Ocado

Introducing a beautiful homegrown Italian gin capturing the distinctive fruity taste of deliciously ripe peaches grown from the hills of Piemonte. Inspired by the breath-taking views from the villa, we have worked with local farmers to select the most delicious peaches in season. Combined, plump fresh peaches and distilled Brachetto grapes burst with flavour and add a velvety smoothness. Enhanced through copper distillation, the ripe peaches give a sweet fruity note on the nose which is perfectly blended with Tuscan juniper berries. We use only Italian ingredients to create a liquid of the highest quality, clarity of flavour and freshest taste. For a new, easy-to-create way of drinking, serve with prosecco and soda water in a carafe to share. Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s a new premium gin! Drinks giant Diageo has just announced the launch of Villa Ascenti, a new Italian gin with an intriguing signature botanical. In addition, Diageo has added Christie Knight to the Diageo Reserve team of brand ambassadors. Knight has worked across the world in hospitality venues, including a specialist gin bar in Edinburgh. Lorenzo Rosso, master distiller for Villa Ascenti gin at Distilleria Santa Vittoria, said: “On the nose, the mint and thyme are vibrant and refreshing alongside the spice of the Tuscan juniper berries, whilst on the palate, the Moscato grapes really come to life. Spirits producer Diageo has revealed its first line extension for Villa Ascenti gin and appointed Christie Knight as brand ambassador for Great Britain. Christie Knight is Villa Ascenti’s new brand ambassador for Great BritainSo, we know you’re all wondering, what does it taste like? Well, who better to tell us than the Master Distiller himself: We distil our gin using only the finest Italian ingredients to create a liquid of the highest quality and flavour,” said Rosso. Villa Ascenti Rosa is the gin brand’s first line extension To begin with, Villa Ascenti gin will launch in 14 European countries from May – including the UK, Italy, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Switzerland and Poland – as Diageo aims to tap into the “fast-growing” super-premium gin market. Villa Ascenti will be part of the Diageo Reserve portfolio. It has been an absolute privilege to be involved in developing Villa Ascenti Gin and to have the chance to showcase the very best of Piemonte to the world,” Rosso added. “It’s a beautiful gin with the region at its heart in its aroma and flavour, but also in how it’s best enjoyed – around the table with friends. I’m particularly proud of the use of the Moscato grape distillate, an idea that stemmed from my winemaking experience.”

Villa Ascenti Gin Review – building the Diageo Portfolio Villa Ascenti Gin Review – building the Diageo Portfolio

Villa Ascenti Gin is rooted in provenance and brings local, fresh ingredients from Piemonte to life,” Tanya Clarke, general manager of Diageo Reserve Europe, commented. “Its use of locally-grown ingredients from the foothills of Piemonte, alongside some of the more classic botanicals associated with gin, has allowed us to create a high-quality liquid, which we hope existing and new gin drinkers will love.” Union Press Ltd | Wigglesworth House, Fourth Floor, 69 Southwark Bridge Road, London, SE1 9HH, UK Tel: +44 (0)20 7803 2420 Also has been referred to as "Contemporary", "New Western", "New Wave", and "New American". This style is not legally defined. In general, this category of gin, while it does contain juniper, places less of an emphasis on this botanical. Other botanicals not classically used in London Dry gins are often utilized and often highlight botanicals grown in the region the gin is produced. Most produced as either London Dry or Distilled Gins. The gin is made at the Villa Ascenti distillery in Santa Vittoria, Italy, where production is overseen by master distiller Lorenzo Rosso, a trained winemaker and distiller who has more than 20 years of experience with Diageo. The super-premium gin brand has now expanded its range to include Villa Ascenti Rosa. The expression is distilled with peaches, apricots, elderflower, hazelnut, achillea, Brachetto grapes and Tuscan juniper berries.It’s a privilege to be at the forefront of a brand that is so unique in taste. I am really excited to share the brand’s story which is rooted in Italian provenance and conviviality.” To make the gin, Moscato grapes are harvested in August and September, and are then distilled three times. Day or Night Gin? It’s a 41% ABV gin and, since it’s a super-premium drink, I feel it would be a shame to rush it. Think of it as a Sunset Gin.

Gin - Villa Ascenti Gin 70cl | Matthew Clark Gin - Villa Ascenti Gin 70cl | Matthew Clark

A homegrown Italian gin capturing the distinctive fruity taste of ripe peaches grown from the hills of Piemonte. Ingredients: 25ml Villa Ascenti Gin; 100ml Prosecco, 25ml soda; a dash of sugar syrup; grapes; a sprig of thyme. It’s super-simple: take 500g fresh pineapple, 5 makrut lime leaves, 50g sugar and 2 litres of water. Blend half the water with all the other ingredients until smooth, then pour through a sieve. Then, add the remaining water to the mix, and pour over ice in your pitcher. If you want an alcoholic version, this is also a good base for rum, tequila or mezcal. This drink goes well with Thai cuisine – anything that has an aromatic spice to it, as it will be balanced out nicely against the sweetness of the pineapple. Pear and pastis Knight added: “Within the UK, there is a huge opportunity for the sector to further innovate and develop great tasting variants. Knight said: “I have always been a big fan of gin; I love its versatility and the innovation in the category that has continued to evolve.Method: fill a copa glass or large wine glass with ice. Add the Ascenti Gin, then the Prosecco, and top up with soda. Add a dash of sugar syrup and stir. Palate: The Moscato grapes really come to life. Enhanced through copper distillation, the smooth, fruity flavour of this distillate rounds off zesty juniper notes to create a velvety, slightly sweet gin. Villa Ascenti Rosa offers a distinctive fruity flavour with a smooth, creamy and delicious complex fresh palate. Enhanced through copper distillation, the ripe plump peaches give a sweet fruity note on the nose. Brachetto grapes combine with carefully selected Italian botanicals to offer a unique smooth and creamy mouthfeel with a long, complex fruity finish. The fruity flavour is perfectly blended with Tuscan juniper berries. Records the default button state of the corresponding category & the status of CCPA. It works only in coordination with the primary cookie.