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.
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www.beveragedynamics.com January/February 2015 • Beverage Dynamics 39 Blended Wines Equilibrium (72% Sauvignon Blanc, 17% Chardonnay, 11% Muscat), a far more approachable blend than the robust wines often associ- ated with the region. Clean, crisp and ideal with food, it paves the way for bolder Chardonnays. The same could be said of Franciscan Estate's hearty meritage blend, the Magnifi cat (79% Cabernet Sauvi- gnon, 12% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec), which serves as a warm-up to those pervasive, powerful all-Cabs. Michael Warner, co-founder and managing director of Washing- ton, DC-based wine boutique DCanter, notes that his customers seek out blends for pragmatic reasons: They are sophisticated buyers who crave "a complete wine that provides balanced fruit, acidity and a lingering fi nish," he says. "While many single varietals are strong in one or two of those areas, well-made blends consistently deliver in all three." Not surprisingly, many of DCanter's customers recognize blends as a great value. DCanter's clientele, who often choose blends over single-varietal wines, tends to lean toward traditional styles. "Red Rhône blends, like the classic Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre, sell exceptionally well, as does white Bordeaux," he says. "White blends that incorporate a small amount of Viognier consistently outsell the single varietal, which is a bit surprising given the popularity of Viognier at nearby Virginia wineries." With the recent launch of Concierge by DCanter, a bespoke wine selection and delivery service that caters to each customer's distinct taste, budget and lifestyle preferences, Warner believes blends will be- come even more intriguing to his patrons. "DCanter hopes to share a number of new wines that individuals may not have previously considered due to obscure or confusing labeling - a problem for many blended wines." This especially becomes a challenge when unknown grapes, such as Portugal's Viosinho, Rabigato and Gouveio, comprise wines like Esporão's new Assobio white. It's also a recurring prob- lem in Italy, where many a desirable wine is a blend. After all, look at the prowess of Chianti, with its mix of Sangiovese, Canaiolo and Malvasia Bianca. On the heels of Centine, the Sangiovese-Caber- net Sauvignon-Merlot blend that is one of Banfi 's biggest sellers, the company will soon roll out Unparalleled, yet another mélange of Tuscan grapes. At Honor Wines in Staten Island, NY, owner Lorie Honor notices that the blends of choice among most her customers are Côtes du Rhône. But after that, it's Italian wines that get the most attention. "Morellino di Scansano, a Sangiovese-Cab from Maremma, and Il Cacciatore di Sogni, Rosso Conero Montepul- ciano, a Sangiovese-Merlot, are both under twenty dollars," she says. "There's an uptick in our customers drinking blends. Many of our wine-curious drinkers understand blends beyond Bordeaux and know they are not the machinations of a Franken-winemaker 'covering' for a meh wine, but actually a respected practice yielding delicious wines." Some of the other hit blends found on Honor's shelves include Chateau Renard, from France's burgeoning Jura region, "a crazy de- licious and dreamy white that is Savagnin and Chardonnay," she says. "From the states, California is representing well with the sort of super crazy and tiny production from Napa. Suhr Luchtel Cellars' Mosaique is just that, a gorgeous blend of Merlot, Cab, Cab Franc and Malbec. For more everyday drinking—and under twenty dollars— we sell and love Betsy's Backacher from Spann Vineyards, with huge fruit and good, grippy tannins." How to attract her customers to these offbeat blends without an aggressive marketing push? It's simply an organic educational process. "Because we arrange our wines by varietal and write notes on all of our wines," Honor says, "customers who love, say, Grena- che, can easily explore a Grenache-Tempranillo-Alicante that shares shelf space with Grenache, along with Côtes du Rhônes and other related blends." BD Honor Wines, Staten Island, NY. WANT TO REACH QUALIFIED BUYERS? Then rent our list of targeted, qualifi ed readers for your next direct mail promotion. • TARGETED LEADS • SUPERIOR PENETRATION • PROVEN VALUE • OUTSTANDING RESULTS Call today for more information regarding our product lines and extensive database marketing programs. Contact Jim Scova Tel: 914-368-1012 jscova@MeritDirect.com LIST RENTAL MAXIMIZE YOUR POSITIVE PRESS FROM YOUR FEATURE IN Reprints Maximize the marketing power of your feature. Eprint Give your feature a presence on the World Wide Web. Fame Frame™ Transform your feature into an impressive work of art with a customized wall plaque. For custom reprints of articles in this magazine contact: Debra Welter • Tel: 847-720-5614 • dwelter@specialtyim.com