A Devon mead producer has secured a significant national listing with specialist wine retailer Majestic.
Lyme Bay Winery's Traditional Mead will be available across 146 Majestic stores nationwide as well as the chain's website following the deal.
The Axminster-based company is the º£½ÇÊÓƵ's largest producer of mead - the world’s oldest alcoholic drink - which is currently undergoing a revival.
Handcrafted in the Devon countryside using a traditional fermentation of honey and water with yeast, with no added fruits or spices, Lyme Bay's Traditional Mead is described as "full-flavoured and sweet offering a rich floral aroma, velvety honey notes and a smooth honeycomb finish".
Wolfgang Sieg-Hogg, managing director at Lyme Bay Winery, said: “Seeing our Traditional Mead on the shelves and online at Majestic is a proud moment for the Lyme Bay team and also a major step forward for the category.
"Mead has an incredible heritage as the world’s oldest alcoholic drink and Majestic now stocking it brings it firmly into the mainstream.
“Mead is such a versatile drink, it can be enjoyed neat, on ice, as a long alcoholic drink with a mixer or added to cocktails, so it is fantastic that it's now going to be readily available to curious new drinkers, as well as its existing dedicated followers.â€
Tom Brady, senior proposition development buyer at Majestic, said there was a "growing interest" in mead and it was among the top most-searched-for items on the chain's website last Christmas.
"We’re thrilled to be working with premium English producer Lyme Bay Winery to bring their award-winning Mead into our range this year," he said.
"We're always looking to offer our customers new and unique drinks to explore across wines, beers, spirits and low and no-alcohol options, and Lyme Bay will make an exciting new addition to any basket this Christmas.â€
