LIWF 2008: Day Two Round-up

Published: 23 July, 2008

As activity at the London International Wine Fair (LIWF) and Distil ramped up on the event's second day, Harpers.co.uk pulls together the highlights.

News Items

UK drinkers loyal to wine despite credit squeeze

Consumers give glass green light

Bulgaria bemoans falling wine exports

Quotes of the Day

"It is an indictment of how our industry views consumers that they are not allowed into the London International Wine Fair." Matthew Dickinson, Thierry's commercial director, believes the industry has some way to go to connect with your average punter.

"We are part of a cheapskate nation. We have not yet made wine aspirational in the UK." The eminently-quotable wine writer Robert Joseph believes Brits need to lose the bargain-buy mentality.

"The movie Sideways has done a lot change consumer behaviour. It flattened Merlot and increased demand for Pinot Noir." Troy Christensen, Constellation president, offers his insight.

"There is a direct correlation between consumers' willingness to spend more on a wine and its brand." Adrian Atkinson, wine development director at Pernod Ricard UK, gives a clear hint of things to come from the drinks giant.

Stat of the Day

Of the 7,495 people that visited Excel on the first day of the LIWF, 1,265 made a beeline straight for Distil.

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