An entrepreneurial chef and hotel owner is planning to produce Scotland’s first commercially-available wine.  Pete Gottgens, originally from South Africa, has planted vines in the grounds of the Ardeonaig hotel in Perthshire.

Mr Gottgens said: “I don’t for one minute think we are going to rival any of the great wine-producing areas of the world.” He explained that he wanted to sell the wine in his restaurant and also allow guests to see the production process. There are 48 vines in total from four different varieties, in the grounds of the hotel located on the banks of Loch Tay.

To celebrate his new venture and promote his business, Mr Gottgens might appreciate some wine themed promotional products. Branded bottle openers are available in all shapes and sizes, and make for a neat promotional product that people are likely to keep for a long time. If bought in quantity, you can pick up a promotional bottle opener to put on a set of keys for as little as 50p.

Alternatively high quality wine accessory sets, make for eye catching corporate gifts, that are bound to make the recipient feel appreciated. Having engraved wine gifts such as bottle stoppers, wine collars and cork screws will make a smart addition to any dining table.

There is a branded wine set for every wallet, but if you’re looking for something specific, contact the friendly promotional experts over at Gift Selection.

High street coffee chain Coffee Republic is having a make over, after research suggested that female customers are put off by the existing dark interiors. As well as brightened up the place, chief executive Tariq Affara includes plans to introduce another two outlets in the UK within twelve months. 

I didn’t think coffee bars where particularly macho places anyway, but Affara said: ‘We want to broaden the appeal of the brand. We want to reach out to a wider market and make our bars even more attractive to spend time in”. As ever the first new look café will open in London, before being introduced across the UK and overseas.

If you wish to use promotional products to appeal to women, Gift Selection has a wide range of corporate gifts designed specifically for the fairer sex (or for very camp males). Please note, giving a lady a pink calculator probably won’t impress her – so be more imaginative.

Call me old fashioned but gifts for ladies fall into two categories, those that are shiny and those with a high fat content. On a serious note, their promotional beauty products, would make a fantastic staff incentive for your hard working female employees. Promotional nail files, branded vanity mirrors or personalised lip balms are inexpensive but handy gifts, while upmarket engraved trinket boxes make for quality corporate gifts.

If you have any questions related to promotional products for women in particular, then contact the friendly team at Gift Selection.

When it comes to picking corporate gifts and staff incentives, one should be sensitive to cultural differences, and not be too quick to copy an international neighbour. Research carried out by Projectlink Motivation confirmed that what someone in Britain may think is a great gift, would be swiftly disregarded abroad.

Apparently in France the most popular staff incentive is fine wine, while amusingly in Spain it is, you guessed it – a ham. While I wouldn’t turn down the offer of either ham or wine, it wouldn’t be an immediate choice for a corporate gift.

Us boring Brits seem to have to a soft spot for gift vouchers, as the range of options is much more varied compared to the rest of the world. However after the collapse of Woolworths and Kingfisher Gift Vouchers, much negative publicity has surrounded them.

Over in the US of A one of the most popular gift cards is a Starbucks gift card, which is sold in denominations of $5 to $500 dollars. However what seems to be a good idea to me, hasn’t proved popular over hear…

As the well documented MP expense row continues, many peoples blood is still boiling over tax payer money being spent on everything from trouser presses and sanitary towels, to chandeliers and moat cleaning. As a nation we are understandably shocked to discover our MPs were routinely expensing claims for gardening services, swimming pool maintenance and interior decorators.

All this political sleaze has inspired me to have a little luxury of my own, and go for a corporate golf day. If your business is looking to invest in some promotional items for your next corporate golf trip, then Gift Selection is one supplier who had a full range of printed goods.

There is everything from promotional golf tees, to printed golf umbrellas to fit all budgets and tastes. They even have personalised awards and trophies, which are ideal to give out as fun prizes for your next corporate golfing event. If you require a specific promotional item to do with the world of golf, let the friendly team know at Gift Selection, and they will source it for you.