PLB takes its wines on the road to independents

By Richard Siddle

Published: 07 February, 2014

Harpers has teamed up with national wine distributor PLB to run a special debate on the growth and opportunity in online retailing as part of its series of regional roadshows that is taking its wines to the independent trade in March.

Visitors to the Manchester tasting taking place on March 5 will be able to take part in the online debate which will feature the views of key trade figures on how to make most of your online sales.

Steve Mosey, head of BWS at Morrisons, will be on hand to talk through Morrisons' new wine and spirits offer as part of its first mainstream grocery website launched in January, and the Morrisons Cellar dedicated drinks site launched last year.

The debate will also hear from leading independent wine merchants on how they are using online opportunitiesto boost businesses. Ben Stephenson of Hangingditch in Manchester will look at how it is successfully marketing its events, tastings and special promotions through its website and building a wider consumer base through social media.

The debate, to be chaired by Harpers editor, Richard Siddle, will also include advice from specialist online consultants.

It is part of an activity to support the PLB regional roadshows that will also take in Edinburgh on March 4, which it is co-hosting with Hatch Mansfield, and London on March 6.

Former World Sommelier of the Year, Gerard Basset MW, MS OBE, will take part in a Q&A session at the London tasting on how wine companies can better engage with the on-trade sector.

There will be over 350 wines available to taste specifically targeted at the independent on and off-trade sectors. Karen Hardwick, PLB's head of on-trade, said: "Over the last year we have refocused our business to better serve our on-trade, independent and wholesale customers and we're really looking forward to showing off the new wines at the tastings. The 2014 list is all about a portfolio of wines dedicated to our independent and regional wholesale customers. From entry-level value right through to the iconic, niche and super-premium, we've added breadth and depth as well as plenty of excitement and interest"

It will include representatives from new PLB suppliers including Bosman from South Africa's, Finca Las Moras, Argentina, and three newly signed New Zealand wineries, Babich Estates, Misha's Vineyards and Matahiwi.

Venues for the tastings are Edinburgh, March 4 at The Balmoral Hotel, 11am-4pm; Manchester, March 5 at the The People's History Museum, Left Bank, Spinningfields, M3 3ER, 11am-4pm; London, March 6 at One Great George Street, SW1P 3AA, 10am-4pm.

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