Country Focus:
Italy
A few years ago it seemed that the only white wine anyone was drinking was Chardonnay. With the name of the grape being so easily recognized and pronounced, continued success seemed assured. However, it’s fashionability perhaps became its undoing, with a great many wine drinkers adopting the mantra of ‘A-B-C' - Anything But Chardonnay! Today within the trade, there is a feeling that a similar scenario is happening within the Italian wine market - with Prosecco and Pinot Grigio dominating the listings. Indeed, for many on trade wine merchants the two ‘P’s’ currently make up nearly 90% of Italian wine sales. Now, whilst these wines have undoubted qualities, Italy has a great wine making heritage and there are many others that deserve to appear on your wine lists. Take Stock recently discussed the situation with John Mansfield of The Society of Vintners. Here are his thoughts and recommendations. It is true to say that Prosecco and Pinot Grigio have been huge successes within the on trade, and I don’t see that
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situation changing overnight. However, there are factors that will affect the
should offer really good examples of the two ‘P’s’, backed up by a wider range of
market that operators should be
Italian wines. Here are some examples:
aware of. Firstly, with Prosecco, the sheer volume
Sparkling:
being consumed in traditional markets and increasing demand in the USA and
Entry - Nua Prosecco
Far East - is putting supply under strain, leading to rising prices and some decline
Unique presentation, with classic Prosecco notes - however, not in a bottle
in quality. The authorities have increased
you’ll see in supermarkets.
regulations surrounding pure Prosecco, but at the same time they have had to allow increased proportions of other grapes, simply to meet demand. Secondly, customer awareness of Pinot Grigio and keen supermarket prices results in a good return in the on trade becoming increasingly difficult. Additionally, the perpetual drive towards lower prices inevitably impacts on quality - cheaper bottles will lose the typical bright, lively, fresh acidity with flavours of nuts, pears and melon of a classic Pinot Grigio. The result? Consumers find themselves less than satisfied. Italy is the home of some great wines and what is good, is that consumers are aware of that. The trick for outlets is to capitalise on that awareness. My recommendation is that operators
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Upsell - Famiglia Pasqua Treviso Prosecco Extra dry (even dryer than Brut) - which gives the extra flavours in this wine the chance to develop.
White: Entry - Cortestrada Pinot Grigio A blend - like many Pinot Grigio’s on the market - which is reflected in the wholesale price. However, unlike many, this combination of Pinot Grigio and Garganega really works. It tastes great. San Georgio Pinot Grigio It is important to have a Pinot Grigio on your list, however go for a quality 100% Pinot Grigio. The difference at trade cost should be around 50p more than a less expensive ‘blend’, but the