Fine wine news

Wine merchants Oddbins and Berry Bros & Rudd have reported strong, albeit late, festive sales this year.

Demand for Champagne and Old World wines has been good, as according to Oddbins head of buying Emma Nichols, consumers are more comfortable with Bordeaux and other Old World regions.

She told The Drinks Business that consumers enjoy the diversity and value for money that Old World wines can offer when they choose to opt for more expensive wines around Christmas and New Year.

In the Champagne market, Alun Griffiths, wine buying director at Berry Bros, told the news provider that the "quality of vintages such as 2002" has helped boost Champagne sales.

"There's clearly an appetite for good Champagne," he said.

Mr Griffiths reported that London on-trade sales have been better than last year, although are ten per cent down on value as the 2009 Bordeaux was so popular - and expensive - last year.

Meanwhile, both merchants said wholesale sales were particularly strong.

Posted by John Yates