Recession hits the Wine World?

The Big “R” hit the wine business in a big way during 2009. But it hasn’t been bad for everyone and indeed some Wine Producers have thrived by introducing, to the Irish Market, new labels or new Cuvées from quality vineyards in Classic regions of Italy, France, Spain, South-Africa, Argentina and Chile.

The cleverly designed labels for these “ Recession Wines “ do not compete with other cuvee from the same winery per say, which are already established on the Irish Market, at a higher price. These “recession wines” were deliberately created at a time when they were most in need; really good wines at a very good price.

Piedmont, for example, the Alasia Winery produces a very sound Barbera d’Asti for €11.66; Ca’ del Matt in Monferrato has an excellent Barbera d’Asti at €12.86... Now this region is better known for expensive but beautifully crafted Barolos and Barbarescos. Also the lesser iconic Barbera d’Alba’s and Barbera d’Astis, will normally fetch some serious money in return for their Wines. A sign of the times surely, so let’s take advantage here.

The Armagnac region has an impeccable Vineyard Management Culture, producing excellent fruit from Ugni Blanc and Colombard, usually for distillation for the famous Brandy. They too have diversified into making wine as well as Armagnac Brandy, in order to adapt to new demands. With the region’s Financial Clout, they have built State of the Art Wineries to produce white wines of great simplicity, with clean flavours of not too fussy complexity, to satisfy a Market that craves for decent wines but for less money i.e. Lagarde winery has come up with a delicious dry White wine from the Comte Tolosan, west of Armagnac at €11.66.

South of Barcelona, in the district of Jumilla, Bodegas Luzón is hosting a South African (Bruce Jack) and an MW (Ed Adams). The Pair came up with the “La Bascula “ Brand, and make a wine under the label of Turret Fields, using plantings of Local Grapes, Monastrel (also known as Mourvèdre) and Syrah, lightly Oaked for €14.99; the Alcohol is a whopping 14.5%.

Other Wines from the same Culture;

Sant’ Elisa Venezie Pinot Grigio at €13.00.

Puna Snipe Central Valley Chile Cabernet Carmenère at €11.66.

Swallows’ Tale Western Cape Chenin Blanc €12.50.

So as the saying goes “there is always a silver lining”.

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