Carlsberg's wine arm unveils new portfolio
The collection of 500 wines is chosen based on the quality of credentials of each wine, listening to customer feedback and responding to trends in the market to help on-trade operators’ wine lists stand out from the crowd.
The portfolio offers 125 wines exclusively available for the on-trade.
The list has been adapted to reflect figures reported by CGA Strategy that value wine sales have risen by 1.4% in the past year.
It includes two new Proseccos – Lyric Prosecco Extra Dry, which is exclusive to Crown Cellars, and a Terra Serena Brut Prosecco.
Dry Prosecco demand
Crown Cellars' master of wine Jonathan Pedley highlighted increased demand for dry Prosecco, which was not yet being quenched.
He said: “Prosecco sales continue at mind-boggling levels, but the feedback from our customers is they are now looking for a truly dry (Brut) Prosecco.
“Most Prosecco in the UK is labelled ‘extra dry’ but actually has a noticeable amount of sweetness when you taste it [whereas] Terra Serena does not.”
Most of the new still wines in the portfolio are from Spain, followed by Italy, which is pushing France hard for the spot of the biggest wine producer.
Pedley added: “There has been a complete revolution in the Spanish wine industry, such that today Spain probably delivers the best quality, price proposition in the world.”
Informed decisions
Carlsberg UK director of third party brands Paul Waller outlined how the growth of the beer company’s wine division has enabled them to expand its team.
He said: “This includes helping operators to devise bespoke wine menus and make informed decisions on the right wines to suit their business.
“We have more than 20 years of experience of supplying on-trade operators and are continually evolving our portfolio to meet their needs.
“I am confident our expertly chosen 2017/18 range will help them to drive their wine sales even further in the next year.”