Why I’m Excited by Consumers’ Thirst for Good Quality Wine
Posted on Sun 21st Jun 2015 at 09:53
No matter how passionate you are about your product, there can occasionally be a voice in the back of your head questioning whether other people will like it too.
Even when you’re so determined to spread your message that you’ll push on regardless of the opposition, it’s always wise to reflect on the potential challenges that lie ahead - if only to steel yourself against them. When I started importing Eastern European wines I knew I had a great product, but I wasn’t prepared for the incredibly warm reception that they’d have in the UK. I was prepared for doubts and concerns about this relatively untested region, yet instead I’ve repeatedly heard one thing - ‘quality’. It’s been very gratifying to get praise from Masters of Wine like Derek Smedley and Rose Murray Brown in addition to industry experts like the Three Wine Men, a real endorsement for the wines character, presentation and heritage.
It’s been a joy to discover that there is an ever growing call for good quality, affordable wines, driven by consumers who are becoming more and more educated about the possibilities on offer. One particular area where I’ve seen this enthusiasm is the restaurant sector, in which top quality restaurants recognise that what’s in the bottle is far more important than what’s on the label. I love going into great restaurants to find the perfect wine matches for their mouth-watering menus because I know how much a great wine can enhance a superb meal. I’m delighted that top restaurants like Rango’s Hotstone Resaturant in London and 2 Michelin start restaurant Sat Bains (listed as the 7th best restaurant in the UK) have added Stobi wines to their menu. With customers thirsty for affordable, top quality wine, these restaurants are taking the challenge seriously and embracing often overlooked areas that have a fabulous winemaking heritage and Signature Wines is dedicated to finding new and exciting wines to bring to the table. Macedonia is just one of these and I’m proud to be introducing wines such as Stobi into UK gastronomic institutions. Dee Bhatia Founder & CEO, Signature Wines