Riunite Lambrusco Sponsors Bartender Competition
The Italian wine brand Riunite has announced it will be a participating brand sponsor of the 2026 Speed Rack competition series. The national competition spotlights top female bartenders. The partnership reflects a growing trend of using wine, particularly Lambrusco, in modern mixology.
- Speed Rack was founded in 2011 by New York bartenders Ivy Mix and Lynnette Marrero to create more opportunities for women in the male-dominated cocktail industry. - The competition has a strong philanthropic component, having raised nearly $2 million for breast cancer research and related charities since its inception. - Riunite, a cooperative started by nine Italian wine producers in 1950, saw its U.S. sales peak in 1985 at 11.5 million cases, driven by its iconic "Riunite on ice, that's nice" advertising campaign. - The sponsorship is part of a larger Riunite brand revitalization effort, which includes updated packaging and a new "On Ice...STILL Nice!" campaign to attract a younger demographic. - Lambrusco is the third best-selling Italian red wine variety in the United States and ranks second in the volume of cases sold. - With a naturally low alcohol by volume, around 8%, Riunite Lambrusco is being positioned for the low-ABV cocktail trend, with signature recipes like the Riunite Lambrusco Spritz. - The use of Lambrusco in cocktails is a recognized trend in major markets like Chicago, where bartenders appreciate its dry, crisp, and savory profile for mixed drinks.
