Drinks News WHAT TO EXPECT IN WINE
The end of the year is always a great opportunity to look to the future. We caught up with Mark Roberts, Head of Sales at Lanchester Wines, to look at his top three tips for on trade wine in 2018.
It can never be said the world of wine is dull. Each year and each vintage bring new and exciting challenges for us in the wine trade.
It’s easy to forget wine is an agricultural product, especially when its available year round. However, unfavourable weather saw the 2017 vintage at the lowest level of production since 1961, down 16% on 2016, resulting in an estimated 3 billion bottles less wine available to buy or source.
Europe saw its smallest harvest in decades, down by more than 20% from 18.2 billion litres in 2013/2014 to 14.5 billion this year. And, while volumes increased in parts of South America compared to the low levels of 2016, Chile’s remained low and was down 6% on 2016.
As a result, the base price of wine continues to rise which will affect the cost of the consumers’ glass – and we haven’t even mentioned the Brexit affect.
But we’ll never be able to control the weather and we’re not ones for dwelling on the past. Instead, we’re looking to the future and how our role as wine merchant and
14 DECEMBER 2017
importer can be increasingly vital for on trade venues seeking to mitigate, where possible, the increasing base price of wine while maintaining quality.
What wine trends to expect in 2018
1. More wine varieties by the glass The way in which we consume wine is changing.
We’re becoming more health conscious which has resulted in 41% of Brits trying to cut down on their alcohol intake, compared to 33% in 2016. We’re also more confident to dine out alone, perhaps as a result of more ‘single- person-friendly’ restaurants or having our smartphone as a companion – a recent Waitrose survey showed 78% believe solo dining is more socially acceptable than it was five years ago.
Both trends see on trade wine drinkers seeking an alternative to a full 75cl bottle of wine. 2017 saw the boom of wine in cans which, at around 250ml or 375ml per can, offer the equivalent of one or two large glasses of wine on the go. However, while a great option for the off trade, a can of wine on a venue’s dining table can be impersonal – and we know 51% of consumers drink wine when eating out.
Another option is to offer an increased range of wines by the glass – a great option for guests who want to try something
Mark Roberts, Head of Sales, Lanchester Wines.
different or don’t want to feel obligated to order full bottles. Usually house wines are offered however, over the last 18 months we’ve seen a huge uplift in sales of 20litre wine kegs for tap systems which expands the options of varietals available.
These kegs – one-way PET containers - work just like beer taps keeping the wine in top condition while saving on storage and avoiding waste – both in terms of packaging and, more importantly, of the wine itself.
Working with our sister company, Greencroft Bottling which is one of the UK’s leading contract wine bottlers, we’re able to offer most wines in keg format which expands the possibilities of on trade wine offerings. The wine stays fresh for at least
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