Pubs miss out on wine sales

Selling wine in pubs shouldn't be easier. Wine is now the most frequently drunk alcoholic drink, according to the AlcoVision consumer survey, and consumption is soaring - it's up 10% on last year. But are pubs reflecting consumer demand? Of course not - as a recent report confirmed.

The Wine Research Project was put together by Jacob's Creek, French wine giant JP Chenet and The Publican to look at wine-drinking habits in pubs.

Two thousand consumers of drinking age (18-65) were canvassed, plus pub-goers and the pub trade itself, covering questions that ranged from the selection of wines offered to value for money, training and promotions.

And it makes pretty scary reading. In complete contrast with what's happening in the off-trade, the majority of pub-goers never drink wine in pubs, and 23% of consumers felt that pubs are less interested in selling wine than other drinks. Conclusion: pubs still aren't offering consumers what they want even when they do manage to sell (if you can call it that) a few wines.

According to the survey, consumers like wines from Australia best, with their second choice being those from France, then South Africa and Italy. What's actually served in pubs tends not to reflect this, however, as the majority of pubs - 73% - offer mostly French wines, with only 41% stocking an Australian choice.

And the wines people prefer make interesting reading, too. Men, according to the survey, put Shiraz/Syrah at the top of their list, followed by Chardonnay, then Cabernet Sauvignon. Women, however, put Chardonnay at the top of their list, followed by Merlot, then Shiraz. Once again, there's a glaring gulf between what consumers want and what they're offered. One in six pubs don't stock a Chardonnay, only half stock a Shiraz or Syrah, and a third don't offer a Cabernet or Merlot.

And consumers just hate Paris goblets (125ml) too - but then they've been telling pubs that for years. In this survey they made it clear they prefer to drink out of 175ml glasses, particularly if they're drinking wine with food.

Only 17% of consumers think wine in pubs is of a good standard, and only 14% of respondents thought wine was served well in pubs. As few as 10% of those surveyed actually said they trusted the wine server.

Shocked? Well it's hardly surprising when you consider that two-thirds of pubs keep wine open for more than a day without using a preservation system - and only 19% of pubs bother to use a wine-preservation system at all.

And I haven't even started on the serious lack of wine promotion - 43% never promote wines, according to this report. Though at least Jacob's Creek should be pleased. According to this research, women choose this brand over anything else in a pub, while men choose their wine according to its country of origin. And guess which brand they like best? Yes, Jacob's Creek.

Shorts

A lot of bottle
Bruichladdich Islay single malt whisky is now being bottled at the distillery in a shiny new bottling hall, built by the distillery workers themselves with help from the local community - the first-ever Islay-bottled whisky. Says master distiller Jim McEwan: "This is a historic moment for both whisky and workers on Islay. We have been exporting whisky for over 200 years in casks, destined for bottling plants on the Scottish mainland. Now, for the first time, an Islay whisky will be distilled, matured and bottled on the island."

Rosés are pink
Or salmon. Champagne Gosset launches its Celebris Ros‚ 1998, made using grapes from seven grand cru vineyards. There is 61% of Chardonnay in the blend, with grapes grown in the grands crus of Mesnil sur Oger, Cramant, Avize and Oger, plus Pinot Noir grands crus grapes from Aò, Bouzy and Ambonnay. What does it taste like? Strawberry and hazelnut shortcake with a morello cherry coulis. What does it go with? Actually, quite a lot. It shone with pan-fried halibut and a herb-packed risotto, and it does a very sexy little number with white meat and a morel sauce. What does it cost? Don't ask. Well, all right then - about £75 (retail) a bottle, from McKinley Vintners (020 7928 7300). I did warn you.

Russia meets Japan
Wokka Saké, distributed in the on-trade by Coe Vintners (020 8551 4966), has been turning heads all over Europe, apparently. It won a double gold at the San Francisco World Spirit Awards, and top barmen just can't get enough of it. What is it? It's a blend of Japanese sake and triple-distilled grain vodka. What are they doing with it? Tim Halilaj at London's Asia de Cuba restaurant is muddling it with mint leaves, brown sugar and Soho Lychee liqueur, fresh lychees and lime wedges (the Wokka Sak‚ Mojito); Steve Manktelov at London's Eclipse bar is shaking it up with passion juice, Chambord, and a dash of gomme (Crackbaby); while Michael Johansson at the Ice Hotel in Sweden is mixing it with pink grapefruit juice, lychee juice, lime juice and gomme (Shy Eskimo). It costs £10.94 a bottle.