Decanter World Wine AwardsWaitrose to stock Chinese and Brazilian wines
- Wednesday 8 August 2012
Changyu Cabernet Gernischt 2011 will be on the retailer’s shelves from mid-August and will feature in its Waitrose World of Wine showcase from 28 August – alongside a Brazilian sparkling also claimed as a first for a UK supermarket.
Miolo Cuvee Tradition Brut Rose NV, priced at £11.99, is described as having ‘a gorgeous rose pink hue, fine and persistent mousse with delicate strawberry and cherry fruit aromas’.
The Changyu wine is from Ningxia, and is said to be ‘spicy, aromatic and juicy’, selling at £9.99 a bottle.
‘We’re bringing in a new era of lesser-known wines being sold in the UK as the interest in China, and more specifically the Chinese wine industry, continues to grow,’ said Waitrose wine buyer Katie Mollet.
‘The Changyu is also great for your Friday night takeaway; perfect with Chinese-style beef with ginger and spring onion.’
The introduction of the new wines follows the supermarket’s successful launch of two Indian wines last year.
Have your say!
Bartholomew Broadbent
August 09 19:58
I guess I was before my time... I remember, about 6 years ago, having a stand at the International London Wine Fair for my Chinese wine, Dragon's Hollow, a wine also from Ningxia.
The first morning of the show, I raced after the Waitrose buyer, who'd just walked past our stand, and asked him if he would come taste it. He didn't.
Two years ago, I sold my 50% share in this winery back to David Henderson, the pioneering founder. [David was also the founder of Montrose, making him the first wine importer, in China]. Now, Waitrose is taking on a Chinese wine! Oh well, wine before its time is never a good idea.
At least, if I was not the first to sell Chinese wine in the UK, I was probably the first to introduce one to the trade and the first to pour a Chinese wine at the London Wine Fair.
Chris Lake
August 09 14:15
Tesco sold a Chinese Chardonnay (Tsingtao I seem to remember) over 10 years ago.
They only seemed to sell it one year.
Kevin Ecock
August 09 11:52
Tried this wine last year. Love the presentation. Very much a food wine as it has a strong earthy nature to it plaate. I liked it and it is well made. Not at all sure about the 'chinese food' association though! I'll be happy to share it with a lamb based Irish Stew!!
CH'NG Poh Tiong
August 08 16:26
Let me see if I understand this. By Waitrose reckoning, Changyu Cabernet Gernischt 2011 "is also great for your Friday night takeaway; perfect with Chinese-style beef with ginger and spring onion." To extrapolate from that, Thai wine with green curry; Japanese wine with sushi; English wine with fish and chips; French wine with croque monsieur and Spanish wine with tapas. Any more imaginative stereo-typing?