Wine Lists

A wine list is essential to describe and promote wine sales. 

But it doesn’t need to be complicated or large and over the years, wine sales through restaurants have distilled generally to a small range of generic labels/grapes/types that are proven to be easy to explain and sell really well.

If you want an exciting, large, country-specific or cutting-edge list we can help too but you’ll need a visit. Call 01206 213787 to arrange one.

If you just want one that works and is quick and easy to “install”, read on.

Here goes.

UK consumers have been trained (mostly by supermarkets) to focus their attention on a small range of grapes/generics. These currently are, in order of importance and ubiquity:

Sauvignon Blanc lower price

Merlot

Prosecco

Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough New Zealand

Pinot Grigio

Zinfandel Blush

Malbec

Rioja

Chardonnay

Although this may sound a little cold and cynical, these names WORK. Put them out there and customers will relax at their familiarity.

However, here’s the elephant in the room…..

NOT ALL MERLOTS ARE CREATED EQUAL. 

And for “Merlot”, read any of the above varieties - similar rules apply.

As an example, you’ve surely seen a case of 6 Merlots (probably from Chile or Italy) for sale in Booker for £26-ish excluding VAT.

But did you know that average price currently for a single bottle of Chateau Petrus is $2,630? And that it’s 100% Merlot?

So the word ”Merlot” doesn’t really mean much in terms of gauging quality.

And this is where a decent wine merchant steps in.

Our task in a nutshell is to find a “Merlot” that is made from real grapes by real people and with real flavour but that is able to deliver a margin to a retailer AND at the same time an okay price to the consumer.

And here’s the real rub.

ALL wine in pubs and restaurants is “premium” - the customer can invariably drink more cheaply at home. 

SO DON’T TRY TO COMPETE ON PRICE. YOU’LL COME SECOND TO LIDL EVERY TIME.

Instead, take our advice and compete on quality. Our experience shows that a consumer would far rather pay £5.50 for 175mls of joy than £3.50 for 175mls of something that tastes like it came out of the car’s battery.

Here are a couple of "turnkey" lists for if you wish to get a simple offer going quickly. Other formats/designs are of course possible.

A4 folded either landscape or portrait.

You choose the wines (or leave it to us with a nod from you in a certain direction), tell us your desired margin or selling price, how many you need and we will print, matt encapsulate and deliver free of charge with your first order. Email info@winefantastic.co.uk with your requirements.