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wine tastings a day, in one form or another, around the world)
– but all gone for the time being!
In a recent IWSR report, from the most trusted, accurate
and widely used source for beverage alcohol trends in the
world, it is estimated that the drinks trade as a whole almost
immediately lost 40% of its sales when the UK government
closed pubs, bars and restaurants. In the same report there
are some very interesting comments from Mark Meek, CEO
of IWSR:
“While we’re still assessing the full impact of the current
Covid-19 situation, it’s very clear that the pandemic is set to
cause a deeper and more long-lasting after-effect to the global
drinks industry than anything we’ve experienced before. Even
the downturn following the 2008 financial crisis was less
severe than what we are seeing now.”
“Like many other industries, it’s incredible how a few
months of lockdown will result in several years of recovery,
but beverage alcohol has proven to be remarkably resilient
in previous downturns, and this should be no different. A
strong focus on innovation, premiumisation, and new routes
to market such as ecommerce, are all factors which will help
contribute to the industry’s rebound and future growth.”
In truth I guess we have all had to react to the current situation
and crisis. We have all had to innovate and I suspect that we
will all work very differently in the future. The current Covid
- 19 situation has, and probably will prove to be long term, a
real game changer for us all. The wine industry is, clearly, no
exception to this.
The current pandemic has also caused immense issues and
problems for wine makers and producers around the world
too. According to a recent article the EU has seen the return
of the so called ‘wine lake’ – a lake filled with unsold wine
from producers whose sales to local restaurants and overseas
have collapsed. In the southern hemisphere, Covid-19 struck
in the middle of harvest season – not the easiest work to carry
out while practising social distancing or with a significantly
reduced work force! In South Africa, the government’s initial
strict lockdown conditions prevented the Cape’s winegrowers
from harvesting at all and there was a ban on exports, although
both measures have now been relaxed. But, good examples of
problems for wine growers and producers in different parts of
the world that we don’t necessarily think of. Like many other
businesses around the world, the wine producers of the world
are struggling too.
How long will the recovery take? The estimate is that the
beer category is expected to reach 2019 volumes by 2024, but
still rebounding better than wine and spirits. So, wine sales
could take many years to recover properly. It seems clear,
therefore, that despite the huge increase in online sales and
home consumption, the picture is far from rose for the wine
producers of the world.
Wines to try at home this month
So, where have I been shopping this month? Where should
you look at, to order some wine for home delivery this month?
Well, here I go back to one of my favourites - look no further
than D Byrne & Co in Clitheroe. Yes, they are not that local.
But, yes, they are delivering to our doors here on Merseyside.
Order online and a few days later your wine will be with you.
What is recommended at the moment? This is a difficult
choice, as there is so much decent wine, at a decent price, on
offer here. I have recently taken delivery of a number of their
wines. Included were:
1. Percheron Chenin Blanc Viognier (South Africa)
‘Vibrant and aromatic with delicious subtle perfumed aromas
with white peach and hints of jasmine on the nose. On the
palate it has tight, white, fleshy stone fruit and fresh apricot
flavours that balances the sandy texture. Bright acidity and
minerality helps to deliver a delicious flavoursome and
characteristic wine’. This is on sale at £47.94 (per case of 6) -
£7.99 a bottle.
2. Il Cascinone ‘Camillona’ Sauvignon Blanc (Italy)
A fine, elegant style of Sauvignon with citrus fruit characters
lifted by ripe gooseberry and floral notes. Zesty acidity
balances perfectly with the considerable weight on the palate,
and crisp grapefruit flavours make this an attractive and
characterful wine’. This is, again, on sale at £47.94 (per case
of 6) - £7.99 a bottle.
3. False Bay ‘Windswept’ Sauvignon Blanc (South Africa)
Fabulous seaside Sauvignon. Fresh and zesty with grassy
and dry bay leaf aromatics, fynbos (indigenous South
African bush), mineral notes, with hints of richness. This is
a restrained Sauvignon Blanc with a palate that has lots of
minerality and citrus with just a touch of green pepper and
grass’. On sale at £34.14 (per case of 6 bottles) - £5.69 a bottle
4. Cabriola by Borsao (Campo de Borja)
A rich characterful Grenache Syrah blend from Borsao’s high
altitude, low yielding vineyards. Pronounced ripe red fruit
aromas with a touch of vanilla and a lightly herbal note. The
palate is full and well-structured with bramble and berry fruit
alongside toasty notes and sweet spice. Ripe supple tannins
and juicy acidity give a long and balanced finish’. On sale at
£73.74( per case of 6 bottles) - £12.29 a bottle
5. Prisma Organic Monastrell (Jumilla, Spain)
A ripe, opulent, classic southern Spanish Monastrell from
organic vineyards. Complex nose of ripe plums and rich red
fruit, with notes of fig. On the palate the wine is generous,
rich and spicy – with concentrated red and black fruit, supple
tannins, and fresh acidity on the finish’ On sale at £41.94 (per
case of 6 bottles) - £6.99 a bottle.
The tasting notes are those provided by Byrne’s themselves;
for I could not do the same justice to these wines myself.
What I can say, having taken delivery of and having tried
these wines, is that all five of them are fabulous and represent
amazing value for money. They are beautiful wines for
drinking right now – and can be delivered within a few days
to your doorstep. Even if these are not necessarily your cup
of tea, do contact them, for there is much more on offer, of a
similar quality and at the same bargain prices.
Happy drinking – and let's all do our part in supporting the
wine industry during these difficult times!
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