by Rebecca Gibb – Natural wine remains ‚marginal‘ in the UK, but organisers of the UK’s first artisan wine fair still aim to attract 1500 people to the inaugural event. More than 150 natural wine producers have already signed up for RAW including the Loire’s Nicolas Joly and Alsace’s Josmeyer.
The London trade and consumer event takes place in May, and its creator, Isabelle Legeron MW, has plans to take the concept to other countries. However, the UK’s natural wine scene is embryonic, with London-based natural wine specialist Artisan & Vine recently closing its doors. Legeron admits, ‚It’s not become widespread in the UK yet. It is still marginal.“
‚But for me, calling a wine biodynamic or organic is not enough because the control in the cellar is not great. You can have a biodynamic wine and add aromatic yeasts in some countries. Reverse osmosis and cryoextraction are allowed in organic which is why there is the need to have this category,‘ she explained. ‚I’m not campaigning for all wines to be natural. I want people to be aware of what’s going on so they can choose knowingly.‘ RAW takes place at the Old Truman Brewery on 20 and 21 May. www.decanter.com
by Richard Woodard – Moscato sales in the US have risen by more than 70% and the variety is now poised to take the UK by storm.
Gallo: ’10 Moscatos‘
According to Nielsen figures, nearly 4m cases of Moscato were sold in the US in the year to 7 January, but total consumption could be double that once sales in bars and restaurants are taken into account, Impact Databank estimates.
The figures represent a rise of more than 70% in both volume and value in the last 12 months, on top of a doubling of sales during 2010, making retail sales of Moscato worth an estimated US$300m-plus in 2011. It has now overtaken Sauvignon Blanc as the third most popular white grape in the US
Typically slightly sparkling, light in style at about 7-9% abv and with varying degrees of sweetness, Moscato has won particular favour among younger consumers, with Nielsen estimating that more than half of the grape’s consumers are under 25.
It has also built up a following among rap and hip-hop stars, with artists such as Kanye West and Lil’ Kim namechecking the variety in recent releases. Continue reading „decanter.com: UK set for Moscato influx“
by David Furer in Tasmania – The UK’s status as a serious producer of cool-climate sparkling wines has been further cemented by the announcement that the ninth International Cool Climate Symposium will take place in the UK.
The four-yearly conference, which is being held this week in Tasmania, will be a joint effort between Sussex’s Plumpton College, the Institute of Masters of Wine, University of Brighton, the trade organisation English Wine Producers, and the UK Vineyards Association. Continue reading „decanter.com: UK to host next International Cool Climate Symposium“
by Georgina Hindle – In the past year, China has overtaken the UK to join the list of the world’s top five wine-consuming nations, according to new figures released by Vinexpo.
Results from the annual study by The International Wine & Spirit Research (IWSR) show that between 2009 and 2010 consumption of still, light and sparkling wines grew by 33.4% in China (and Hong Kong included), leading to a total of 156.19m 9-litre bottles being consumed in 2011, knocking the UK into sixth position in the world-wine consumption market.
In the five-year period from 2006 to 2010, China and Hong Kong’s wine consumption grew 2.4 times larger with the study forecasting a further 54.25% rise between 2011 and 2015. Continue reading „decanter.com: China overtakes UK to become fifth largest wine-consuming nation: Vinexpo“
by Rebecca Gibb – The UK has become a nation of wine-drinking ‚discount junkies‘, fuelled by constant price promoting in supermarkets, a new survey claims.
The latest report from market research specialists Mintel has found that 55% of all Britons who purchase wine to drink at home buy ‘depending on which has the best discount’.
John Forsyth, senior drinks analyst at Mintel, says ‘The discounting strategy of major multiples may be controversial but it is a key purchase driver in such a fragmented market place.’ Continue reading „decanter.com: UK wine drinkers are discount junkies, says research“
just-drinks.com editorial team – For the first time in five years, the UK is no longer the most important market for the world’s wine producers, according to a just-drinks survey of wine professionals.
A report on the current state of the UK wine market, which is set to be presented by just-drinks at next week’s London International Wine Fair, has found that heads are being turned away from the UK by the likes of the US and Asia-Pacific. Only 42.6% of survey responses agreed that the UK is the most important and dynamic wine market in the world, while, back in 2007, around 80% of survey responses thought the UK was the top market for wine. Continue reading „GLOBAL: UK no longer wine world’s most important market – survey“
UK, initially exclusively in Harvey Nichols department stores until sold out and then selected restaurants and bars including Hakkasan, Launceston Place and the Savoy Hotel
Price – GBP45 (US$69) per bottle. Nyetimber, a Sussex-based wine company, is pre-releasing its first Rosé wine as a limited edition of 1,500 this month. Nyetimber 2007 Rosé will fully launch next spring with a wider distribution, joining the existing portfolio of Classic Cuvée and Blanc de Blancs vintage wines.
by Rebecca Gibb – A leading Madiran producer is launching the region’s first-ever en primeur campaign in the UK. Following the excellent 2009 vintage in south-west France, producer Alain Brumont is looking to profit from the success of the high profile Bordeaux en primeur campaign.
Its top wines have been sold en primeur in France since 1985 and it estimates it will sell around 60% of its production as futures this year. However, the producer stresses its wines are not aimed at investors.
Jean Baptiste, export manager at Alain Brumont told decanter.com: ‚Our wines are purely for enjoyment. We don’t play the speculation game; we make wine for drinking.‘ ‚Consumers are really turning to our wines because we are seen as value for money,‘ he added. Brumont will release his top red cuvées from Châteaux Bouscassé and Montus as part of this en primeur campaign. The wines are also sold in the US en primeur.
by Stuart Peskett – The proportion of UK wine drinkers buying Pinot Grigio has increased by 30% over the past three years, according to new research. More than 1,000 regular wine drinkers were polled by research group Wine Intelligence for the survey (on behalf of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association), which compared drinking habits over a three-year period, between March 2007 and March this year. Continue reading „Pinot Grigio continues UK rise“
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Chris Mercer – Nearly half of the growth in Champagne prices in the UK over the last decade was wiped out by discounting during the country’s economic recession in 2009.
Pricing in key export markets is the major concern in 2010 for Champagne trade body Comité Interprofessionnel des Vins de Champagne (CIVC).
In the UK, by far Champagne’s largest export market, average prices rose by a fifth between 1999 and the end of 2008. But, almost half of this growth was eroded during a few tough months in 2009, shows an index released by the CIVC at its annual briefing in London today (16 March). Continue reading „UK: Price erosion causes Champagne headache“
Chris Mercer – E & J Gallo Winery will continue trimming back its range in the UK in 2010, as the trend for promotions and a „savage“ tax on wine make the country a tough place to do business. The country’s wine market is unlikely to show much improvement in 2010, according to George Marsden, E&J Gallo’s vice president for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Gallo is refocusing its UK wine range around five core brands, a strategy that began last year in an attempt to adapt to the tough market conditions. The privately-owned wine giant reported a drop in volume sales in 2009, of which around three quarters was a result of the firm withdrawing ranges, the group told a briefing with journalists in London today (9 March). Continue reading „UK: E&J Gallo Winery forecasts tough 2010“
just-drinks.com editorial team – The United Kingdom Vineyards Association (UKVA) has announced a change of chairman. The wine industry body said earlier this week that Ian Edwards, who owns Furleigh Estate in Dorset, will replace Bob Lindo of Camel Valley Vineyards, who stands down after three years in the chair.
“These are the most interesting times the UK wine industry has seen, and the role of the UKVA in supporting its growing number of vineyards and ensuring a voice for them at the highest level is more crucial than ever,” said Edwards.
During Lindo’s tenure, the UKVA negotiated with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) for training funding for its members which has, to date, resulted in the launch of WineSkills, a training programme run and implemented by Plumpton College. The UKVA council comprises representatives from each of the country’s six wine regions.
just-drinks.com editorial team.
Wines of Germany has relaunched its website for UK trade and consumers.
The trade body said this week that the site, which benefits from an “interactive layout and expanded content”, provides direct links to retailers’ websites to enable consumers to buy direct.
Visitors will also be able to search for German wines available in the UK market by alcohol level. Users can also search by colour, region and grape varietal.
“The new website is all about driving sales, education and targeting a younger audience,” said Nicky Forrest, managing director for Wines of Germany UK. “A strong digital campaign focused around our website is a key part of our communications plans for 2010.”
Retailers of German wine are invited to upload their wines on the wine searcher by registering for the new website by contacting the Wines of Germany team. Producers, importers and retailers can also submit German wine-related news for consideration for the website news pages.
By Lucy Shaw
The world’s lightest wine bottle will hit the shelves in UK supermarket Tesco this week. Tesco is using the 300g screwcap bottle, produced by Manchester-based independent wine supplier Kingsland Wines and Spirits, for its own label Australian non-vintage red. At 300g, the lightweight bottle uses nearly 30% less glass than the average wine bottle, creating less carbon emissions.
The Co-operative supermarket is also in talks with Kingsland over using the bottles, which have the same impact resistance as a standard 420g bottle.
‚We believe this bottle will become the future not just for UK filled wine, but also as a guide for global production,‘ said Kingsland supply chain director Michael Ford. www.decanter.com
Adam Lechmere and John Abbott – Decanter’s Tokaji tasting yesterday in London’s historic Vintners‘ Hall was a unique event – the first-ever dedicated Tokaji tasting in the UK. Thirteen producers – including the Royal Tokaji Company, Dobogo, Patricius and the the AXA-owned Disznoko – showed a wide variety of wines from the legendary Hungarian vineyards.
As well as the sweet Aszu wines for which the region is famed, producers showed dry styles, late-harvest wines, and Szamorodni wines made from both botrytised and whole ripe grapes.
There were also wines made from grapes other than the classic Tokaji grape Furmint, such as the Muskotaly (Muscat) and Harslevelu.
Both trade visitors and wine consumers were excited to be able to taste so many Tokajis – and so many different styles – side by side.
Tim Tiptree of Christie’s wine department said he was impressed by the modern styles – ‚wines that have so much freshness coming through on the palate‘ – and said he was very interested in the variety of dry styles. Continue reading „Decanter Tokaji tasting first for UK“
The future looks bright for wines with a lower alcohol content in the UK, if only someone could decide on what to call them. Representatives of the UK’s top supermarkets, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons, were yesterday unanimous in their view that consumers are seeking out wines with a lower alcohol content. Considering that supermarkets account for easily more than three quarters of wines sold in the UK off-trade, these peoples‘ views matter. Continue reading „Chris Mercer: Lower alcohol wine“
Concha y Toro has launched a range of 50cl bottles to its Casillero del Diablo portfolio for the UK market. Targeted at the multiple, convenience and on-trade channels, the new format has an recommended retail price of GBP4.99 (US$8.35) and includes a 2008 Sauvignon Blanc and 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon. Continue reading „Concha y Toro unveils 50cl wine bottles“
Source: Daniel Waite – Champagne Lanson has today launched its Extra Age Brut cuvé at the Wimbledon Championships in the UK and VinExpo in Bordeaux. Continue reading „UK: Champagne Lanson launches Extra Age Brut“
Lucy Shaw – UK vineyard area has grown by 45% over the last four years with 1,106 hectares now under vine. The latest production and vineyard figures from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, collected after the 2008 harvest, show year on year growth in planting is continuing. Continue reading „UK vineyard area up by half since 2004“
just-drinks.com editorial team – The South African wine industry has countered claims that its workers „face poverty wages“ supplying supermarkets in the UK. A report commissioned by anti-poverty charity War on Want, released today (13 February), warned of „worsening conditions for (South African) employees as UK retailers and wine brokers drive down suppliers‘ prices to boost their profits“. Continue reading „South Africa dismisses „poverty wages“ for wine workers claim“
just-drinks.com editorial team – Percy Fox, one of the UK representatives for Vranken-Pommery Monopole, has appointed Adrian Beckett as brand executive for the French firm’s Champagne brands. Beckett will fill the Continue reading „Vranken-Pommery Monopole agent shuffles team“
just-drinks.com editorial team – Wine merchants and retailers in the UK have been boosted by new research predicting that the country is set to be the world’s biggest wine importer by 2012. Wine imports to the UK are set grow by 6% between 2008 and 2012, enough to see the country overtake Germany Continue reading „UK tops world wine import league, consumption slows“
just-drinks.com editorial team – The UK government has said that its ‚Know your Limits‘ campaign has been successful in raising awareness of the number of units in drinks. Continue reading „UK: Alcohol units campaign raises awareness – research“
Giles Fallowfield – Champagne shipments worldwide fell by over 20% in October, according to the region’s representative association, the CIVC. As the credit crunch continues to affect sales, exports to Europe were down 24%, and shipments everywhere else – including Japan, the US, Russia and China – fell by 23%. Sales to the French domestic market also dropped by 20%. Continue reading „Champagne shipments plummet“
