Notes from the seminar by Rosie Davenport (editor Off Licence News) at SITT Manchester

Independents are classed as shops that have at least 80% turnover from wine and to survive they need to have quality wines and great staff; customer service is paramount. Their average turnover is £500,000 or £250 million for the whole section and this represents 4% of the UK wine market. There are over 360 operators in the UK.

The favourite regions that independents buy most of their wine from are France, Australia and Italy (with a jump in sales of Prosecco and Pinot Grigio still selling well). They have around 10% that cross over into the supermarket sector – mainly champagnes like Moët and Chandon. Their average bottle price has gone up from £7.24 in 2008 to £8.25 in 2010. Included in that rise is the 3% increase in duty. But surprisingly most are not importing themselves because of the European exchange rate and are mainly buying from agents.

Promotions

Most of the independents had promotions last year. 84% of them had tastings and said that was the best promotion tool they have. Some do case deals and multi-buys; displays can entice people in. Because of last years demise of First Quench, 85% of outlets said that they had greater footfall. 24% more people have been coming in to purchase higher priced wines, 29% to purchase value wines and 75% of people come in for a more diverse wine. A lot of independents are now selling wines online – this has brought in 5.5% of sales and is still growing.

Main challenges for this year again are currency, duty rises, economy and getting people to come in more from supermarkets. A lot of them are expecting a good year with more growing confidence and expect to sell more premium wines.

© Paul Quinn 2010

SITT will be the first opportunity for Charles Taylor Wines to show new agency wines from Les Caves de Rauzan.

We are also very lucky to be joined by a whole host of producers, including:

Bodegas Luzon will join Wine Treasury at both venues.

Diogo Campilho from Quinta da Lagoalva will be joining Casa Leal in London.

Carol Maggs of Seidelberg Estate in South Africa and Sam Lockyer of Forrest Estate in New Zealand will be at both tastings with Haughtons/Adnams.

Returning after a couple of year’s absence, SWiG will be joined at both tastings by Adi Badenhorst, former head winemaker at Rustenberg. He will be showing his new range of family wines which are made from Rhone and Loire varieties. They are considered to be the future of South African winemaking.

For the first time in the UK SWig will also be showing the ‘Best Victorian Pinot Noir’ made by Tom Carson during his maiden vintage at Yabby Lake.

The legendary Larry McKenna will be with Seckford Agencies at both venues. The pioneer of New Zealand Pinot Noir.

Huber de Billy, Champagne Pol Roger will be in both London and Manchester.

Filipa Pato will be joining Clark Foyster at the London tasting.

New exhibitor Terroir Languedoc will be showing wine from new agency Domaine les Aurelles, the bio certified Domaine de Clovallon and the entry level cuvée from Pascal Fulla at Le Mas de L’Ecriture.

Jorje Maslakievicz, owner and winemaker of Domaine St Ferreol, Coteaux de Languedoc will be with Peter Osborne Fine Wines in London.   Jorje makes one of the finest Viogniers in the Languedoc, some consider on a par with great Condrieus of the N. Rhone.

10am: The SITT Seminar

Planning and action:

10.00-10.50: Join Rosie Davenport, the highly respected editor of Off Licence News to discover OLN’s latest research into the independent sector. Maximise opportunities presented and add your views to the debate with key speakers from Wines of California and the independent merchant category.

10.50-11.10: Top tips on how succeed and get yourself noticed on-line in 2010 from Social Media Specialists, Catavino.

“Social Media Speed dating” with Catavino (please pre-register your 15 minute slot with alison@jkmarketing.co.uk or tel: 01829 720130

Need help with your web site? Don’t understand how to tweet? And blogging – now what’s that all about?. Well at SITT you can book a 15 minute slot with international wine blogger and writer Ryan Opaz who we are shipping in especially from Spain to help you out with any social media queries you may have.

The speed dating initiative is designed to give you, the independent retailer or restaurant, an opportunity to build your relationship with the following generic bodies:

Chile, New Zealand, Portugal, and new to SITT this year, Sud de France and the Wine Institute of California.

The generic bodies are not allowed to show wines at SITT; they have to offer something to benefit the independent sector whether that be as exciting as a trip, financial incentives for organising promotional activity, and competitions or it could as simple as introducing new POS.

Proud winners of Decanter’s “Specialist Merchant of the Year” award in 2009, Yapp Brothers’ portfolio goes from strength to strength. With over 40 years of expertise, we have a wide-ranging, high-quality selection of wines from many of France’s leading, family-run domaines.

As well as established luminaries such as Jean-Louis Chave, Auguste Clape, and Alain Graillot, we are proud to seek out and discover the next generation of exciting wine makers.

There is something for everyone in our list and this is reflected in our wide-ranging customer base that includes the UK’s top restaurants and hotels, leading independent retailers, through to country pubs and seaside bistros.

Fiercely independent, we pride ourselves on our first-class customer service and outstanding wines.

Contact

Jonathan Hoad

Tel: 01747 860423
Fax: na
Email: jonathan@yapp.co.uk
Web: www.yapp.co.uk

For more than a decade our intimate knowledge of Italy has allowed us to meet the demands of our clients for all things Italian. From mountainous crown to stiletto heel, Winetraders knows Italy like no other. Check out our new wallet-friendly red and whites from Sicily and the Marche in addition to the quirky, interesting and downright impressive wines on which our reputation has been founded.

Saladini Pilastri

Just north of the Abruzzo border nestled in the rolling hills behind the walled city of Ascoli Piceno lies the estate of Saladini Pilastri. They are one of the of the oldest families here and their 200 hectares includes the usual viticultural suspects (Trebbiano, Sangiovese and Montepulciano) as well as the Rhône rangers, Viognier and Syrah. All the vineyards are farmed organically, no hardship here where the summers are hot and dry. The Falerio is almost too good to be true: lively and full of fruit with more character than one has a right to expect at this price. It’s lissome and affordable and looks to Trebbiano for inspiration but draws in local talent in the form of Pecorino (just like the cheese) and Passerina. Floral on the nose with with apple and a faint herbal note the initial delicacy hides surprising body with healthy acidity and a bitter almond finish. It’s ideal with white meats or fish, and pasta. The Rosso Piceno is 90% Sangiovese and 10% Montepulciano and collects its thoughts in large old oak for a few months prior to bottling. This is quaffing wine par excellence and makes me wish I could discover Chianti that could deliver the same value for money.
Fattoria Nicodemi

The Nicodemi estate was founded in the early 20th century by Elena Nicodemi’s grandfather, Carlo. Bruno, his son, assumed the reins in the early 1960s and, helped by a second income from his medical practice, set about producing the best wines of the Abruzzo. A major replanting programme followed by a new cellar established Nicodemi as one of the region’s few producers who placed quality above quantity. Bruno passed away unexpectedly in 1998 and the estate faltered whilst Elena and her brother, Franco, decided just what they wanted to do.

Fortunately, Elena decided to turn her back on a promising career as an architect and returned to the homestead with a clarity of purpose I’ve seldom seen. Ably assisted by the talents of Federico Curtaz and Paolo Caciorgna these are shining examples of just what can be done with Italy’s native varieties. The Trebbiano is hugely expressive with ripe stone fruit, floral notes, and masses of mouth-watering acidity. The Montepulciano sports sufficient acidity and tannins to tame the bramble and black cherry fruit and it’s marvellous with kid, lamb, rabbit and game birds.

Contact

Michael Palij

Tel: 01993 848777
Fax: 01993 848778
Email: michael@winetraders.org.uk
Web: na

The aim of the Wines of Chile UK office is to inform, educate, communicate, and illustrate, the burgeoning quality, diversity, innovation, and creativity that is increasingly evident in the wines from this amazing country.

Historically famous for its rich Cabernets and Merlots, modern Chile is now also being praised for its ability to impress with Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Syrah and its very own Carmenère.

We will be on hand at the SITT’s to provide visitors with any information you may require, a small selection of wines to taste to demonstrate the diversity of Chile, and a mini competition. We hope that you’ll pop by for your ‘speed date’ on the day!

Contact

Michael Cox and Anita Jackson

Tel: 01344 872229
Fax: 01344 872227
Email: michael@winesofchile.org.uk and anita@winesofchile.org.uk
Web: www.winesofchile.org