Find out why our venues are so thrilled to be a part of an extraordinary series of tastings around the world!
We caught up with Matt Hennings at Hennings Wine Merchants, Chichester, to find out what he think about this year’s Global Tastings event, and why he is so keen to get involved in this series of DWWA tastings.
What made you want to get involved with Decanter’s Global Tastings programme this year?
Matt: It gave us the opportunity to showcase an outstanding collection of DWWA Award winners and enabled us to achieve co-existence with a reputable publication like Decanter.
What do you think Decanter’s Global Tastings programme offers consumers?
M: Primarily it offers consumers the chance to try some great wines whilst also sparking debate!
Can you explain a bit about yourselves, in terms of what you offer and where you’re based around the world?
M: We are an independent wine merchant established in 1960 based in West Sussex. We currently operate 4 retail outlets and have a thriving on-trade division. We focus on smaller, interesting producers and steer clear of the big, commercial brands.
Which DWWA 2012 wines did you have on offer for consumers to taste?
OCEAN 8 CHARDONNAY
LA BATTISTINA GAVI
VON BUHL PECHSTEIN RIESLING
CASA MARIN RIESLING
FERNANDO DE CASTILLA ANTIQUE OLOROSO
JORDAN CHENIN BLANC
HUNAWIHR GEWURZ RESERVE
ENSEDUNA MUSCAT SEC
PHELAN SEGUR 2009
PEREGRINE PINOT NOIR
JIM BARRY COVER DRIVE
CAMINS DEL PRIORAT
ARALDICA RIVE BARBERA D’ASTI
CIEN Y PICO
SHOTFIRE SHIRAZ
BELLEVUE MORGON
How did you promote the Global Tastings fortnight, did you host any special events?
M: Decanter posters, Z cards. Communication with regular customers via telephone. We advertised that we had 16 DWWA award winners in our Enomatic machines in store.
How were the tastings received by wine enthusiasts?
M: On the whole very well. Consumers enjoyed tasting the wines and deciding if they agreed with the award given.
Have you noticed any particular tasting trends or interest in any specific or unusual wines from the ones on offer?
M: Consumers seemed to love the aromatic white varieties on offer and the concentrated, fruit driven reds.
With Decanter’s Global Tastings, people are able to taste and share lots of different wines through the use of Enomatic machines, what do you think it is about this format that people like so much? What do the machines brings to a tasting like this?
M: The ability to sample a wide range of styles of wine at a range of different prices points. It allows them to try a small sample of lots of different wines. People like to explore.
Have you seen an uplift of wine sales as a result of the Global Tastings programme?
M: I would say a small but noticeable uplift in sales, certainly of the wines that were available to taste.
Would you like to be part of the programme next year?
M: Yes, I think it was a worthwhile exercise and one which our customers enjoyed.
To find out more about Hennings Wine Merchants please visit www.henningswine.co.uk
Written by Emma Salter
