Enotria&Coe revisit Rioja with range additions

By Jo Gilbert

Published: 20 February, 2017

Premium suppliers Enotria&Coe have strengthened their Rioja portfolio by bringing on two new 'terroir-driven' producers.

Ramón Bilbao will expand its reach across the UK channels, and Sierra Cantabria will be available to the UK on-trade for the first time via Enotria's distribution network.

Despite the strength of Rioja as a category, Spain overall currently sits at number six on the list of the UK's largest country of origins behind Australia (number one), Italy, the US, France and South Africa in the off-trade (Nielsen data 12 months to 5/11/16) and France, Italy, Australia, the US and Chile in the on-trade (CGA 12 weeks to 1/10/16).

Enotria is aiming to address this by adding value at the premium end with Ramón Bilbao and Sierra Cantabria.

"Spain is making some real strides through innovation and product quality. So, it is amazing that the country is only the sixth largest origin in the UK," Troy Christensen, Enotria&Coe CEO commented.

"We hope to help build the category, particularly at the premium level where these brands really deliver and where the consumer is shopping."

"Both brands are a great fit for us, and Rioja is an exciting category that we can now really champion," he added.

Enotria&Coe Winemaker Marcos Eguren

Sierra Cantabria Winemaker Marcos Eguren

Enotria&Coe will feature Ramón Bilbao's Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva trio, the Viñedos Altura and Rueda white ranges, as well as the Edición Limitada and Mirto single vineyard blends, and a just-launched Lalomba Rosado from vines high in the Yerga Mountain range in Rioja Baja purchased by Ramón Bilbao in 2015.

Enotria&Coe will work with Ramón Bilbao's UK & Ireland manager Kirsty Loftus to take the portfolio to the UK off and on-trade.

Enotria&Coe buyer Harriet Kininmonth said Ramón Bilbao's "winemaking heritage, strong price model, fantastic packaging and an innovative approach" which contibuted to succes in the domestic market, will translate to the UK.

For Sierra Cantabria, she continued: "Sierra Cantabria offers us something different; they are a much-lauded family owned producer who craft wines of freshness and poise.

"Interestingly, Sierra Cantabria have never been represented the on-trade, where, with Enotria&Coe's strong distribution strategy, we're convinced the brand will flourish and grow. Our two new, terroir-driven producers let us join the premium Rioja conversation and become part of Rioja's quality revolution."

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