Within the National Wine Fair, FENAVIN 2005, which will be held from 9th to 12th of May in Ciudad Real Fair Pavilion.

27.04.2005 | 

The famous British journalist, writer and wine critic John Radford will participate in this third edition of the National Wine Fair, FENAVIN 2005, which will be held from 9th to 12th of May in the Ciudad Real Fair Pavilion. The speaker and wine expert will talk about "how to sell Spanish wine in the United Kingdom" and what the English consumer demands.

John Radford, member of the Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino de España (Great Order of Spanish Wine Knights), says he is gathering information in the trade and the press about the wine market in the United Kingdom. "Figures show women are the key factor as far as wine purchases go in our country, as they have been for many years since supermarkets have become the main wine retailers".

Radford says "there are three market sectors in the United Kingdom: a general market, which knows wine and pays little attention to it; an educational market, which buys wine books and specialized magazines to learn a bit about the subject; and the "enthusiastic" market, whose knowledge is comprehensive, they buy to invest, taste out of curiosity or simply to show off"

The wine journalist asserts that he will try to analyze those groups in numbers and explain how they affect the market in general. Furthermore, he will talk about labeling, the market and to what extent the appellation system influences the purchasing decision.

Likewise he explains there are four markets for Spanish Wine in the United Kingdom. The first one is the massive market, where a bottle of Spanish wine in a supermarket can cost up to 5.99 pounds (around 9,00 €) and the price increases constantly. The second market which enjoys a good position is found amongst small independent shop owners who sell great classics like Vega Sicilia, l'Ermita, Pingus, etc,

He highlights a third market: Sherry. The wine critic says "there is a generation gap between the traditional market (cream, pale cream and medium) and the new market, with the Finos and Manzanillas, mainly consumed by young people who are used to going "De Tapas". Finally, there is another market, the "Cava". According to Radford this is the favorite sparkling wine, although many people still buy it as a substitute of champagne.

WINES THAT ARE DIFFERENT, UNIQUE AND, ABOVE ALL, WITH QUALITY

The wine critic recommends the Spanish exhibitors who want to make the most of the presence of British importers in FENAVIN 2005 to show "somewhat different wines, unique and, above all, with quality"

Likewise, the wine journalist believes that the called "new Spanish wines" have still not managed to take the position corresponding to the new reality in their area of attention. "Sales volume is in the supermarkets where people have no interest". Lastly, John Radford thinks that Spanish Wines have a promising future "though it is necessary to work harder".

PRESTIGIOUS WINE JOURNALIST.

John Radford, internationally famous wine journalist and considered to be one of the best Anglo-Saxon Spanish wine expert, is also a gastronomy writer and commentator.

Radford has published several books related to gastronomy and wine and cooperates with specialized magazines like "Decanter", one of the best specialized wine magazines in the world. He also works for non specialized magazines and newspapers like "Everything Spain" and "Spain". He works for BBC radio program "Breakfast live in Sussex", he teaches at the Brighton University in the United Kingdom and at the Beaune University in France. Likewise he presents the program "Rioja Wine Information Service".