London Wine Fair 2015: round up

By Arabella Mileham

Published: 19 May, 2015

The London Wine Fair kicked off at Olympia yesterday, and Harpers was on hand to check out some of the new launches and exhibitors from the first day.

Prosecco

Consorzio di Prosecco is exhibiting for the first time at this year's London Wine Fair, showcasing sparkling wine from eight producers. Luca Giavi, manager of the Consorzio di Tutela della Denominazione di Origine Controllata Prosecco, said the decision to have its own dedicated stand highlighted the importance of the UK, which is now its primary market. As well as provided an opportunity to capitalise on the attention that Prosecco has in the UK Giavi said it was a way to better understand the market. "We are keen to use The Fair to understand how Prosecco is perceived in the UK trade so that we can develop our promotional strategies for the second half of the year and beyond into 2016," he said.

English wine

English Wine Producers has also boosted its profile at the show, with a 30% bigger stand. Wineries showing include Bolney Wine Estate, Chapel Down, Exton Park, Hattingley Valley, Hush Heath and Ridgeview Wine Estate. Other English producers Nyetimber, Furleigh and Hart of Gold, (the collaboration between Justin Howard-Sneyd MW and Ridgeview) are also represented elsewhere at the show.

Fortified

Taylor's has released a rare 1965 Single Harvest Port at the London Wine Fair, as part of its series of 50 year old limited editions. It will be available in the UK from early July (rrp: £150) through its UK agents Mentzendorff

Focus on rare varietals

London Wine Fair hosted a public tasting of the Dureza grape, a rare, recently rescued parent of Syrah, from Pascal Jamet. The wine was included as part of the Wine Grapes 2015 - Syrah & Grüner Veltliner masterclass and tutored tasting presented by Julia Harding M.W. and Dr José Vouillamoz.

Fruit-infused wines

Free Run Wines is looking to tap into the popularity of fruit-based wine drinks. It has launched Mr Peel's Manavista, a new pink grapefruit flavoured aromatised wine-based drink which is targeting millennial consumers.

It has also added new wines from Les Vignerons de Buzet, the newly revamped Couleurs d'Aquitaine brand and Rhone cooperative Cellier des Princes. The agency has also launched a partnership with Australian producer Morambro Creek.

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