The Douro Valley presents stunning vistas (and wines).
The Quality Threshold T
A quartet of regions that produce value at their price point. By Deborah Parker Wong
he world's most prolifi c wine growing regions produce a considerable amount of what can be deemed to be "value wine" for the on-premise sector. However their
greatest assets are often found in wines that trade on more than price alone. Sicily—which has historically been one of Italy's most prolifi c wine-growing regions—and La Mancha, which occupies the very heart of Spain, are two regions that warrant a closer look for both their abilities to produce wines of quantity and for their recent gains in quality. At the same time, revered regions like Alsace in France and
Portugal's Northern Douro region—best known for its Port production—have both been lauded for quality and wine styles that also continue to keep pace with the demand for value.
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While no region goes unexplored as operators continue their fervent hunt for wines that deliver solid fl avors and values, many restaurateurs continue to have clear-cut expectations about types of wine they prefer to source from select Northern Hemisphere producers. Strategies for building sales of wines from lesser-known regions
continue to revolve around by-the-glass programs and pairing menus, both of which encourage consumers to experiment and help esoteric varieties establish a foothold in wine programs. While the presence of familiar brand names is often cited by operators as a factor that helps build consumer confi dence, there is no substitute for a well-informed wait staff that can expertly guide consumers as they navigate an unfamiliar list.
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