There was a strong trade turn out for last month’s Scotland Uncorked event, which showcased the spring wine portfolio of C&C’s three-pronged supply structure – Tennents, Matthew Clark, and Bibendum.
In a tasting designed to ‘inspire and elevate’ operators’ winelists, there were over 350 wines available to try, representing both well-established favourites and cutting edge trends, and a whole host of producers on hand to explain the background to each bottle.
Laid out across two floors in the vintage splendour of Glasgow’s Trades Hall, Scotland Uncorked proved to be more than enough temptation to attract a crowd on a grey February Tuesday, because when SLTN rocked up midway through the day, there had already been 250 tradefolk through the door, and most every producer table was besieged.
Briefly cornered amidst this melee, C&C’s Group On Trade Director Kenny Gray confessed to being very pleased with this lively trade turnout.
“I think what that does say is that, whilst we are all well aware of all the pressures our customers are under, they are also still looking, firstly for opportunities where they could save money, and secondly for some wines which can present better value.
“Of course they want to freshen things up for their customers as well,” said Gray, “so this is a great opportunity to see the wines that we are importing from all over the world.”
Amongst the new attractions on show this year, Gray highlighted the different styles of rosé wine coming through, as it becomes more of a mainstream category, creating space to diversify within.
Similarly, in C&C’s sparkling wine range, the response to people looking for value for money has been fresh movement around champagne-style fizz coming from other areas, not least some ‘brilliant’ English sparkling wines that offer operators high quality at a price point way below those attached to Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée.
And his personal favourite amongst this latest spring crop?
“My favourite – although I’m not sure I’m allowed to have one – I’m always a sucker for South African wines, and there’s barrel fermented chenins up there you must try.
“Another drink I will shout out is white port,” he added. “White port served like a gin-and-tonic, try it, it’s an amazing drink.”
