One of the things you discover when you travel around wine regions is that there are many, many more wine producers than those that are well-known and internationally distributed. He who is content to just try the large, big-name, well-known producers misses many exciting wineries. In Sweden, that I come from (bot don’t live in since many years) there is a monopoly that aggravates the matter further. The situation is no doubt the same in other markets with monopolies or where the large super-market chains totally dominate wine distribution.
This is partly because a monopoly (or a very big retail chain) often requires large volumes when purchasing that smaller producers cannot offer. But it can also be because a large retailer (like the monopolist Systembolaget in Sweden) in their purchasing process favours internationally renowned producers.
But when visiting wine regions it is actually often when coming to the smaller and more unknown producers that you can get the biggest and most memorable wine experiences. The small producers are often more individual (and perhaps also more individualistic) and less keen to maintain a certain “house style”.
Another advantage of the smaller and especially the lesser known producers is that prices may be more attractive. A certain celebrity status or a strong brand can help push up the prices. (If nothing else, the marketing and advertising campaigns must be financed in some way.)
I came to think about this now during my travels in Europe’s wine regions this autumn. This season, we make some twenty trips to various wine regions so we see quite a few regions and wine producers.
Some advice for the wine lover:
- Do not put too much weight on “big names” and famous winemakers.
- Try things that you may not even have heard of. It can give you many pleasant surprises.
- Go on adventures in wine regions that are less well known and that perhaps you know very little about.
- Do listen to advice and recommendations from those who have tried other wines than those that you usually drink.
- If you drink some famous and exclusive wines, make sure you have looked at the label first. Then the experience becomes even greater. Yes, the power of auto-suggestion is great.
The same advice applies broadly for he who looks for new wines as for he who heads out on a trip to wine country, whether it be alone or with a tour operator. Visit not only the “famous names” when you plan your itinerary, and do venture to travel with those who dare to (and knows how to) plan tour programs with some lesser-known, but at least as good, wine producers.
Speaking of travel, of course… Are you curious about South Africa’s wine country and want to join us on the next wine and food tour there? Then it is time to book your place now. The last booking date is fast approaching: November 15!
You can also take a look at our spring tour to Bordeaux. There will be a mix of both famous names and smaller family owned wineries on that tour.
More info below.
This month’s Brief is a bit shorter than usual. This time of the year we are virtually constantly travelling. But in November we will be back with many new articles!
Britt & Per
PS: Recommend to your friends to read the Brief!
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