English wines ‘not an imitation’ say producers

John Abbott

The English wine industry has launched it’s latest ‘Think English, Drink English’ campaign, insisting English wines aren’t simply an imitation of other cool-climate regions.

Speaking at yesterday’s English Wine Producers tasting, Martin Fowke, winemaker at Three Choirs, said his wines were ‘blanc de noir in name only.’

‘English wine has its own style and sense of regionality.’

‘The South West is fruit driven, the South East, more steely. Instead of blackcurrant and raspberry, our fruit is more cherries and pears.’

English wine has seen a boom in recent years, with several producers struggling to keep up with demand.

Elfrida Spooner, Wine Sales Manager at Denbies, said that a surge in visitors had forced cuts in supply to major supermarkets.

‘Value and demand means we can’t go national.’

‘Wine tourism is very important important to us. Around 70% of our production is sold at the vineyard and online.’

Between 1997 and 2007, quantities of English wine produced soared, with white wine rising from 800,000 bottles to 100,000, and red from 73,000 to 290,000 bottles.

The English Wine Producers tasting coincided with the launch of English Wine Week, due to take place next month.

Julia Trustram Eve of the EWP said that English wine has seen a ‘huge response from the trade’.

‘The non-classic varietals, such as Bacchus, are really holding their own. It’s that English acidity – it’s what we do well.’

‘The next two years will be very interesting.’

English wine week runs from 23rd – 31st May 2009.

 

 

DO Rueda exports up 20% with ‘spectacular’ growth in German market

John Abbott

The DO Rueda Board has released its figures for 2008, reporting sharp increases in export sales.

The region produced 41m bottles in 2008, with around 20% sold to foreign markets.

In total, 7.9m bottles were exported – an increase of 20.16% from 2007.

Five countries – Germany, USA, Holland, Switzerland and United Kingdom – accounted for 72% of sales abroad.

A spokesman for the DO Rueda Board said the region had seen ‘a significant increase in exports to Central European countries,’ with Switzerland rising from 560,783 bottles in 2007 to 623,567 in 2008.

Exports to Denmark also rose sharply.

‘These are countries that, whilst being producers of white wine themselves, are big consumers of this type of wine," he explained.

Exports to Germany alone were up 61% from 2007.

‘The growth in the German market has been spectacular. It is easily the largest market outside DO Rueda itself,’ the spokesman added.

Historic first Rioja ice-wine

John Abbott

A Rioja winery has become the first to produce an ice-wine in the region, as heavy frosts swept the area in recent weeks.

The red ice-wine -made from a combination of tempranillo and grenache grapes – is permitted by the Rioja appellation, though this is thought to be the first time an ice-wine has been created within the region.

Ruben Saenz, winemaker and manager of Bodegas San Prudencio, explained that conditions had been ideal when the winery team began harvesting.

‘On the day of the harvest, the temperature ranged between five and seven degrees below zero. It was just what we needed.’

‘In total we harvested around 5,000 kilos of grapes, but because the processing performance has been very low, we have only obtained 750 litres of must, around 14%.’

Harvesting began on early on January 13th, on a vineyard plot specifically reserved for the late harvested grapes.

The wine, which will be marketed as ‘Malizia’, was created following a suggestion from a customer of the winery.

The concentrated ‘pure essence’ of the grape juice is expected to give an alcoholic strength of 22%. With partial fermentation, the wine will reach 11 or 12%.

The rest of sugar, around 200 grams per litre, ‘will give the natural sweetness of ice wine,’ said Saenz.

‘Fermentation from now will be slow, because the wines in the barrels are kept at a low temperature.’

The final wine is expected to be ‘pinot noir in style, with great density’ and is likely to be sold in half-litre bottles.

The wine is expected to be released in a few months time.

 

New U.S. Survey concludes authentic wine is ‘much more likely to sell’

John Abbott

A major new study into the opinions of the US wine trade has found that a wine’s ‘authenticity’ is much more likely to increase sales than its green credentials.

The study, which surveyed US producers, importers, and other trade professionals, examined the predicted marketing impact of numerous sustainable or “green” practices in wine.

A third of those who took part believed that ‘authentic’ wine, made from grapes grown in a family-owned vineyard, would make it much more likely to sell – 47% thought it ‘somewhat more likely’ – with a further 33% saying wines that are locally grown and produced are also much more likely to sell.

Other top practices believed to make wines sales much more likely include farming methods that preserve wildlife and enhance biodiversity (25%) and organic wines (24%).

The comprehensive study, carried out by US based Wine Opinions, also looks at trends in alternative packaging, the influence of bloggers and the growth potential for wine types and varietals.

The author of the study, John Gillespie, told decanter.com he was ‘not surprised by the “authenticity” findings.’

‘In the U.S. in recent years a good number of wine writers have been emphasizing this point and the pendulum in our market is swinging away from the “international” style wines, toward the “authentic,” or wines made with minimal inputs in the vineyard and cellar that express the qualities of their place and varietal nature.’

‘This is happening with thought leaders in the U.S. trade as well – especially with younger sommeliers.’

 

Fernandez wins Rejadorada prize

John Abbott

Empar Fernandez has been named the winner of the Rejadorada Short Novel Prize for her work, ‘La cicatriz’.

The judges, deliberating in Valladolid’s Museum of Science, were unanimous in selecting La cicatriz- which translates as The Scar- the winner. Fernandez will receive a cheque for 6000 euros, as well as having her work published by Editorial Multiversa.

The competition, sponsored by D.O. Toro winery Rejadorara, aims to ‘promote the partnership between wine and words from a region that has a long tradition of vineyards and ancient literature.’

Jury chair Susana Fortes was full of praise for the authoress, describing the novel as ‘mysterious, fresh and surprising’.

‘She knows how to keep the reader in suspense right to the last page.’

Amparo Gomez Fernandez, born in 1962, has previously won the Moret and Serra Award for Best Original Screenplay for the script of ‘La ciutat foradada.’

Past winners of the award, which is open to authors of any nationality, include Sancho de Mar (2006) and Julián Ibáñez (2007).

The president of the Rejadorada winery, Luis Remesal, commented on the high standard of entries and the ‘literary professionalism’ displayed in some of the works.

‘Wine and literature are an interesting match. Creativity and discovery are inspired by a good novel and a good wine’’

The Rejadorada prize, now in it’s fifth year, received over 150 manuscripts from 18 different countries.

The small appellation of D.O. Toro, which has over 30 vineyards, is located on the Western side of Castile y León.

 

Lay and Wheeler ‘not struggling’ insists MD

John Abbott

Fine Wine merchant Lay and Wheeler has challenged speculation that its business is in trouble.

Speaking to decanter.com, managing director Johnny Wheeler insisted all systems were running as usual, despite a very weak pound.

‘It’s not easy. We are having to work hard at the moment, but we’re not being complacent.’

Reports had suggested that the sale of the wholesale arm of the business to Enotria three months ago had failed to steady a rocky balance sheet but Wheeler insists the sale was merely a change of business model.

‘The best companies do one thing only. The decision was made three years ago. The wholesale business was sold on as a plan to exit wholesale altogether.’

The company is currently made up of Wheeler Cellars – ‘purely selling everyday drinking wines’- and Lay & Wheeler, Fine Wine merchant and Broking services.

‘Apparently, we were the 35^th most profitable wine merchant last year. Year on year sales were up over 10% in November and over 20% in December.’

Wheeler, who succeeded his father Richard as managing director in 1997, was buoyant about the current economic climate.

‘This is not the first recession I’ve worked through. The fine wine business is vintage sensitive; it’s less affected by economic cycles’.

‘With fine wine prices falling, the secondary market is offering good prices. We’re particularly active in the broking market and are trading well.’

Founded in 1854, Lay and Wheeler has been run by the Wheeler family for six generations.

 

Record sales for Virgin Wines

John Abbott

Virgin Wines has announced record sales figures – selling over £1m worth of wine in a single week.

The online case merchant sold over 20,000 cases in seven days, and has reported an increase of 20% in sales from the same period in 2007.

Managing Director, Jay Wright, told decanter.com, ‘we had a pretty good idea that it was going to be a strong week and as we reached the half way point our predictions were confirmed. However, we didn’t quite expect it to be record breaking!’

Wright attributed the success to ‘the culmination of the hard work put in over the past year. Virgin Wines has positioned itself to attract discerning customers who want value from their wines, particularly during the current climate.’

‘We pride ourselves on giving customers great service and great wines, and have spent a lot of time concentrating on retaining our customers and encouraging those who may have lapsed to come back, rather than just chasing new business.’

Virgin Wines, which is owned by Direct Wines, has been operating since 2000.

Mr Wright said that recent financial events had had little impact on the wine marketplace.

‘Although other sectors are experiencing difficult trading conditions at the current time, it is clear from these figures that consumers are still buying and enjoying wine. ‘

‘We expect that sales will continue to do well as we head towards Christmas. As we enter 2009 we are bound to experience seasonal fluctuations, as in any year, but overall, the financial year is looking very positive and we are hopeful of achieving our highest sales turnover yet.’

Virgin Wines are predicted to turn over £25m this year.