As own label wines get posher, there has been a proliferation of ‘new’ grapes gaining shelf-space in the UK mults. Buyers are able to take advantage of flexible sourcing and the strength of their brands to offer more unusual and interesting varieties, usually in their premium ranges.
“If a big retailer is saying ‘We believe this wine is so good we’ve put it under our premium private-label range’, it gives extra reassurance,” says David Peek of Copestick Murrray - and shoppers are increasingly likely to rely on the buyers’ wisdom.
So what is likely to be the next pinot grigio?
“UK consumers remain cautious, but thanks to Taste Test and innovative labelling, our customers are becoming more accepting of less familiar wines,” says Morrisons head of wine operations Mark Jarman.
“We’ve seen an increased interest in clean, fresh unoaked whites with names that people can pronounce but which at the same time sound evocative and enticing, such as Albariño and Godello from northern Spain and Pecorino from Abruzzo in Southern Italy.”
Italy is the go-to place for new varietals due to its great diversity and keen pricing, says Andy Brown, director of national accounts at supplier Liberty Wines. “Good value, interesting wines can be found, and varieties such as Fiano, Nero d’Avola and Aglianico are set to become familiar to the UK.”
While own label leads the way, some brands are also launching new varietals. Pernod Ricard has added a Fiano and Sangiovese to its Aussie brand Jacob’s Creek, as well as a Sauvignon Gris - a grape commonly found in white Bordeaux blends - to its premium New Zealand wine Brancott Estate.
And Californian brand Gallo is confident moscato has reached a tipping point with consumers. It is backing the varietal to the tune of £1m and launching two pink moscatos under its Barefoot and Gallo Family Vineyard brands.
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