Despite all the talk of supply chain pressures, Gen Z drinking less alcohol, 'new growers’ troubles to get listed, global warming, fires, wine oversupply, tariffs'n’ trade wars, an ageing consumer base, water scarcity… it was good to be there!
As always, we were impressed with the enthusiasm and dynamism of a sector experiencing challenges on many fronts.
Connections was the theme this year. Reaching out with optimism and energy the order of the day.
The event featured a record 96 educational sessions, a dedicated sustainability hub, and for wines new to the UK market, the Unearthed section
Hatch Mansfield’s stand was again impressively dominant and, as always, wonderful to see such a strong supportive presence for the industry. We were there on a mission: to applaud the successful launch this year of a brand we have created with Hatch Mansfield and Esporão.
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Nós Somos
Esporão has launched its ‘Nós Somos’ range in Morrisons, bringing together wines from three regions under one label in a bid to simplify Portugal for UK shoppers and engage the next generation of wine drinkers. The range includes a Vinho Verde white, a red from the Douro, and both a red and white from the Alentejo; they position Esporão as the only Portuguese producer currently with this offer.
The name ‘Nós Somos’, meaning ‘We Are’, reflects the identity and culture of the three regions represented.
Anew developed the concept including brand name, with visual identity and art direction led by Studio Parr – plus labels created by Portuguese landscape painter Abel Mota. Each design reflects its region, from the greenery of Vinho Verde to the terraced vineyards of the Douro and the plains of the Alentejo. You can read more about the project here.
But respect also goes to three smaller wine makers who have a harder job cutting through, and all deserve some success here:
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Gulor Wines
Turkey's First Boutique Wine Producer.’
As they say: ‘Despite being one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world, our country had only produced table wines until the 1990s’. Delicious wine and a great team on the stand. Read more about them here
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Chateau Puech-Haut
A hidden treasure with great wine, bottle design and imaginative marketing. More about them here
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Erzetic
A wonderful provenance story with a seventh-generation Slovenian winemaker fronting the stand.
‘Knowledge cannot be bought. The same holds true for love. We spend our whole lives learning, learning from the experience of our parents and passing the knowledge on to our children. Our path moves from generation to generation. Since 1725, our path has been linked with nature, winegrowing, and winemaking, but most of all with love for the earth and Brda region'. Learn more here
Large or small, here’s to developing successful wine brands
Our collective drinks experience, alongside award-winning creative and design associate, Studio Parr, with whom we work closely, includes Hatch Mansfield, Estandon, Adnams Wines & Spirits, Ehrmanns, Marques De Riscal, Albourne Estate, Hoffmann & Rathbone, Accolade Wines, Kylie Minogue Wines, International Wine Shippers, Grange Vineyards, Veuve Clicquot, Neleman Wines, BurgundysCollection, Marks & Spencer, Majestic Wines, Leonardslee Family Vineyards, Coolhurst Estate, Poynings Grange, Heppington Vineyards, Watermill Wine, and many other drinks and private investor projects.
To get in touch do drop us an email. We'd be delighted to meet for a coffee, either face-to-face or virtually to discuss your brief.
