Nicky spices up major London food showcase with novel drink
Jackson Roze, a family enterprise, is listed among four for New Product of the Year
at the Speciality and Fine Food Fair at the Olympia Exhibition Centre in London for
its unique traditional non-alcoholic ginger wine.
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Hide AdRunning from Monday to Tuesday evening, Speciality Food, among the biggest
European showcases of artisan food and drink, attracts exhibitors and visitors from
the UK and other parts of Europe and is part of the annual Great Taste Awards, the
final stages of which will also be held in London on Monday night.
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Hide AdSix Northern Ireland food producers are in the running for the Supreme Champion
and Northern Ireland’s Regional Fork for top local food at the awards. They are:
Baronscourt Estate Venison from Newtownstewart; Ballyboley Dexters, Greyabbey;
Hannan Meats, Moira; Maud’s Ice Cream, Carrickfergus; Morelli’s Ice Cream,
Coleraine; and William Grant Bacon, Londonderry.
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Hide AdThe influential UK New Product of the Year Award features Jackson Roze’s non-
alcoholic ginger wine and is separate from Great Taste. It celebrates a product at
Speciality and Fine Food Fair 2023 that has demonstrated creativity and innovation
at the heart of its concept. Jackson Roze was listed following its success in striking
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Hide Ada gold star in this year’s UK Great Taste. It is up against three products – cheese
and beverages- from Britain
The judges were looking for pioneering credentials, high quality construction, a clear
marketing strategy and a product that comes from a brand that is constantly
innovating and experimenting to inspire its customers.
One of the few local companies to exhibit at the two-day showcase, Jackson Roze
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Hide Adhas, in addition, been named as a finalist in the Blas na hEireann, Irish National
Awards and the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards, the finals of which take place
on Wednesday.
The highly acclaimed company is a family run, artisan drinks producer of a traditional
drink that has been passed down through their family generations for 100 years from
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Hide Adgreat grandparents. The ginger wine is a luxury drink that is gluten free and is said to
offer health benefits.
It’s claimed that ginger wine can reduce blood pressure; help arthritis; relieve pain;
suppress nausea; aid digestion; and counter cold and flu. The wine is non-alcoholic
in that it is not fermented and doesn’t contain yeast. It is also free from colourings,
preservatives and gluten.
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Hide AdThe artisan business was formed by husband and wife team Andrew and Nicky
Jackson earlier in the year. Daughters Rebekkah (13), Zara (12), Olivia (10) and
Eliana (6) also help in the business at weekends and during the school holidays.
They give the family venture the Roze part of its distinctive corporate identity
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Hide Ad“We set up the company to produce a homemade, traditional, non-alcoholic ginger
wine that’s based on a recipe from my great grandparents,” Nicky, who has also
been shortlisted in Britain for Entrepreneur of the Year, explains. “We had been
making the ginger wine, especially at Christmas, over many years and were
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Hide Adencouraged by family and friends to think about turning it into a small business.
Nicky has a background in financial management and now looks after the day-to-day
running of the family business. Andrew adds marketing knowledge and expertise to
the artisan enterprise, which is now a Food NI member.
Nicky is quick to point out that the ginger wine is not being sold as a cure or to help
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Hide Adwith any symptoms. Anyone on medications is advised by the couple to consult their
doctor before taking ginger preparations.
“Our ginger wine is a family recipe that is more than 100 years old. It was used by
older generations as a pick-me-up for when someone wasn’t well. The sugar
content helped to build them up while the ginger helped to alleviate symptoms,” she
adds.
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Hide AdThe ginger wine, she says, is “so versatile that it can cater for all tastes and ideas for
consumption. “There is no need to dilute it as it comes ready to serve. Hot water, for
instance, can be added to a glass for a lovely warming ginger drink.