Jascots Presents: Event Wine Trends
We’re extremely lucky to work with the wine experts at Jascots Wine Merchants – their knowledge in matching wines to any event, menu or budget is second to none. So we asked Becky Lown to share her thoughts on the latest wine trends for events.
Now is the time everyone is looking at the year ahead to fill their events diary. This means it is more important than ever that we are able to give them the best possible advice when it comes to their beverage offering to ensure a flawless event. At Jascots we are continuously publishing reports on market trends and predictions, so that we have a strong understanding of the latest consumer habits.
An event is nothing without a bottle of bubbly to start it off. One of the major trends we have seen recently is that consumers are choosing Prosecco over Champagne. Forget the stale comparisons as being the ‘poor man’s Champagne’, Prosecco is made in an entirely different way with an emphasis on clean, fruit forward flavours. The fresh flavours in Prosecco, alongside a lighter style of bubbles, make for easier drinking and a fantastic choice for a longer drinks reception. The approachability of Prosecco makes it extremely popular, not to mention the affordability factor which is also very appealing. Our Prosecco range by Enrico Bedin from the Colli (‘hills’) Asolani in the Veneto shows the versatility of styles available. ITA* Venues wine list includes the Prosecco Frizzante, lightly sparkling and delicate in style, and Prosecco Spumante which is fully sparkling and particularly good for using in cocktails.
Due to the increased popularity of Prosecco in the UK over the last few years, we have further expanded our range to include a vintage Prosecco and our Prosecco Spumante in magnums. Even if your clients don’t want to upgrade to Champagne, why not suggest they upgrade to vintage Prosecco, aged three times longer than its junior counterpart giving it more depth and richness, or to magnums which always lorazepam prices have the ‘WOW’ factor at events.
Another trend which has seen an un-paralleled increase in popularity is the soaring success of English sparkling wine. It is not just about quantity but also quality as our wines scooped up a record five awards and trophies at the International Wine Challenge this year. ITA Venues wine list is certainly on-trend with two fantastic quality sparklers; Bolney Sirrius Rosé Sparkling from West Sussex and Nyetimber Brut Reserve also West Sussex. In fact, the Nyetimber Brut Reserve is the result of a special partnership between Jascots and Nyetimber and is an exclusive product especially for contract caterers. Made in the ‘method champenoise’ and with the same grapes that go into Champagne, it tastes like the real deal and represents outstanding value and quality.
A final trend, and possibly the most important, is food and wine matching at events. People are paying closer attention to relationships between the two. We are finding that people are less focused on price and more focused on value. Too often than not people forget to budget for the booze so they choose ‘the house wine’ rather than the ‘right wine’. A fantastic event is one that has been well thought out and put together, down to the smallest of details, and so when the chef has gone to a tremendous effort to create a delectable menu but the wine options have been left to the last minute, or smallest portion of the budget, then it can result in both the food and wine seeming ‘ok’ rather than fantastic.
Luckily for us, we have fantastic relationships with our clients who rely on our food and wine matching service, which they in turn can offer to their client when it comes to menu pairings. The knowledge and experience to pick food and wines that will be enjoyed by an array of guests will result in an increased enjoyment for the client and thus a more successful event!
