SLO County Golf, Wine & Real EstateGolf, Wine & Real Estate News and Events Blog
Central Coast Wine Makeover - Wine CasksThursday, January 26, 2006The talk of the wine business is that some of the most remarkable wines are updating their traditional bottle image for something brighter and fresher. They're shedding glass in exchange for what industry insiders are calling: Wine Casks.What are they? Wine Casks are 3 liters of wine filled in an airtight bag that keeps air away. "When you open a bottle, air gets in and starts to oxidize -- making it go off condition after a couple of days. Wine Casks keep the wine fresh for a minimum of SIX weeks once opened because the wine stays insulated." ~ Adam Richardson, Winemaker - Killer Juice(TM) Vineyards, San Luis Obispo, CA. But freshness is not the only factor that has increased wine cask sales by nearly 300% in the last year, according to ACNielsen. Retail outlets say it's because wine casks offer tremendous value. "My customers want quality and value. A wine like Fish Eye(R) costs about $9 per bottle and $16 for a 3-liter Cask, a size equivalent to four bottles. That's a huge value for such high-quality wine." ~ Jeff Jewett, First Street Wine Shop. Critics say that the concept makes sense -- but only if the wine tastes the same as what consumers are used to from the bottle. "The wine in the Cask tastes the same because it IS the same. It's fresh, the wine is harmonious and it makes an everyday wine-drinking occasion special." ~ Jo Diaz, Wine Writer. Wineries offering 3 Liter Wine Casks Nationwide (several from Central Coast): - Killer Juice(TM) Central Coast Chardonnay (SRP $20) - Killer Juice(TM) Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon (SRP $20) - Fish Eye(R) California Pinot Grigio (SRP $16) - Fish Eye(R) California Shiraz (SRP $16) - Glen Ellen(R) California Chardonnay (SRP $14) - Glen Ellen(R) California Cabernet Sauvignon (SRP $14) - Casarsa(R) Delle Venezie Italian Pinot Grigio (SRP $14) - Casarsa(R) Delle Venezie Italian Merlot (SRP $14) - Corbett Canyon(R) California Chardonnay (SRP $12) - Corbett Canyon(R) California Merlot (SRP $12) - Corbett Canyon(R) California Pinot Grigio (SRP $12) How will consumers respond to wine's ultimate makeover? Danny Brager, vice president of the ACNielsen(R) Beverage Alcohol team, says, "Wine marketers are driving renewed interest in cask wine by focusing on the smaller three-liter package, offering premium varietals such as Shiraz/Syrah and Pinot Grigio in that size. Clearly, their efforts are resonating with a segment of wine drinkers." Source: Underdog Wine Merchants Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Wine |
|
