THE WINE MERCHANT. An independent magazine for independent retailers
Issue 120, January 2023
Dog of the month: Merlot The Somerset Wine Company
Sub-£15 wines will be key for indies in a tough year Merchants believe that they can hold on to cash-strapped punters with wines offering good value at lower price points
C
Joe Lang
onsumer budgets will remain under pressure in 2023 – but independents say they are confident
of meeting the needs of price-conscious customers. Many suppliers and retailers are planning to champion sub-£15 wines from their range in the coming year to ensure that consumers continue to shop in the specialist wine trade, despite rampant inflation, higher mortgage costs and soaring utility bills. At Noble Grape in Cowbridge, south Wales, 168 wines have price tags lower than £15, according to owner Richard Ballantyne. That compares to 224 between £15 and £30, and 188 above £30. Ballantyne does not believe it’s becoming harder to find good wines below £15. “We’ve seen a little bit of a creep upwards on price with some wines at the lower end, but nothing really to worry me,” he says. “Almost anywhere can produce good wines at this price, but I’d say mostly Italy. Two of my best-selling reds under that price are from the southern half of Italy. New Zealand not so much. South Africa occupies a mostly higher price point with me, and France doesn’t really have much interesting stuff below £15 unless you go Continues page 2
Vineyards at Chénas, Beaujolais
Natalia Ribbe (pictured) and Jackson Berg have opened a wine business in Margate. Sète is opening in stages, beginning with the street-facing wine bar and shop specialising in low-intervention wines. Full story on page 4.