Beverage Dynamics

Beverage Dynamics Jan-Feb 2016

Beverage Dynamics is the largest national business magazine devoted exclusively to the needs of off-premise beverage alcohol retailers, from single liquor stores to big box chains, through coverage of the latest trends in wine, beer and spirits.

Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/621120

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 23 of 71

24 Beverage Dynamics • January/February 2016 www.beveragedynamics.com WHAT'S NEXT? One reason for Spain's staying power has been its uncom- mon viticultural diversity. Spain has over 100 of its own native wine grapes, which represent over 90% of the country's plantings by area. "Exports to the U.S. are dominated by Spanish varieties, whose proven track record of quality have earned them name recognition - such as Tempranillo, Garnacha and Monastrell among reds and Albariño, Verdejo and Viura among whites" says Katrin Naelapaa, trade director for Wines from Spain USA. "How- ever, there are dozens more lesser-known Spanish grapes that are ripe for discovery." This is not simply the case in the value tier, but at the pres- tige level as well, driven by on-premise enthusiasm for authen- ticity and adventure. "The movement hasn't completely spilled into mainstream wine stores, which are primarily stacking bolder, more afford- able reds from warmer regions," says Patrick Mata, co-founder of Olé Wines. "But interest in high acid wines from old vines in cooler climates is clearly growing." BD Author and sommelier MARNIE OLD is one of the country's leading wine experts. Formerly the director of wine studies for Manhattan's esteemed French Culinary Institute, she is best known for her visually engaging books published by DK – the award-winning Wine: A Tasting Course and He Said Beer, She Said Wine. GROWTH IN GARNACHA In a 2014 Wine Opinions survey of the wine trade, 92% of respondents felt Garnacha was the red grape from Spain with the most growth potential, and 76% of those who sold wine said they anticipated adding a Spanish Garnacha to their portfolio in the next year or two. The Wine Opinions survey was commissioned by D.O.P. Cariñena. Cariñena has more old vine Garnacha than any other Spanish region, and has doubled its distribution part- nerships in the last year. Wine drinkers may still be accustomed to thinking of 'Grenache' as a Rhône grape. However, this native variety is Spain's third widest planted red, found mostly on the high altitude Meseta and along the Mediterranean coast, from Valencia to the Pyrenées. Garnacha first flirted with wine fame as one of the key elements in the old-vine blends of Priorat. But, it was the runaway success of affordable offerings from the hardscrabble hills of its native Aragón that paved the road to acceptance for Spanish Garnacha in the American mainstream. The Las Rocas brand, first crafted as a label for importer Eric Solomon from Calatayud's San Alejandro co-op and later acquired by Gallo - and the Bodegas Borsao wines from Campo de Borja like Tres Picos - took advan- tage of neglected old bush vines on Garnacha's home turf in the province of Zaragoza. These wines offered stunning depth and complexity at a temptingly low price, and have opened the door for other Garnacha wines in places like neighboring Cariñena and Montsant further afield. BD Spanish Wine LEADING BRANDS OF SPANISH TABLE WINE, 2013-2014 (9-Liter Cases) '13/'14 Brand Supplier 2013 2014 % Change Real Sangria (Cruz Garcia - Real) Shaw Ross International Importers 550 560 1.8% Lolailo Biagio Cru & Estate 460 515 12.0% Martin Codax E & J Gallo Winery 360 370 2.8% Yago Sant'gria Luxco 172 170 -1.2% Marques de Caceres Vineyard Brands 158 160 1.3% Marques de Riscal Shaw Ross International Importers 132 138 4.5% Bodegas Muriel Quintessential Wine 105 116 10.5% Campo Viejo Pernod Ricard USA 119 114 -4.2% Red Guitar Constellation Brands 70 60 -14.3% Rene Barbier Freixenet USA 75 50 -33.3% Ramon Bilbao Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits 21 22 4.8% Los Dos Winebow 17 19 11.8% Total Leading Brands 2,239 2,294 2.5%

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Beverage Dynamics - Beverage Dynamics Jan-Feb 2016