Diageo
Diageo launches Italian gin Villa Ascenti. Credit: © Diageo.

Diageo has expanded its gin portfolio with the launch of Italian gin Villa Ascenti.

Made with ingredients sourced from Piemonte, the beverage will be available in 14 European countries.

“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.”

Diageo master distiller for Villa Ascenti Gin at Distilleria Santa Vittoria Lorenzo Rosso said: “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.

“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.”

Rosso is working with local producers and farmers of Italy’s northwest Piemonte region to source local ingredients such as Moscato grapes, fresh mint and thyme for Villa Ascenti Gin.

During the final distillation process, Moscato grapes are infused with Tuscan juniper berries in the distillery’s newly refurbished Frilli copper pot still. The final product is said to offer a classic flavour of gin with a fresh and light taste.

Diageo Reserve Europe general manager Tanya Clarke said: “We are incredibly excited to launch Villa Ascenti Gin, which will join our luxury spirits portfolio, Diageo Reserve, and enables us to really strengthen our gin portfolio which includes world-class gins Gordon’s, Tanqueray, Tanqueray No. TEN and Jinzu.”

The British company has also opened a €420,000 (£360,000) distillery in Santa Vittoria.