Bibendum’s Spring Tasting 2012 – Bibendum LDN

By Rob Pickard

This week Bibendum took over Altitude 360 at London’s Millbank Tower for our Spring Tasting, Bibendum LDN. You may remember last autumn’s event, Bibendum W1, which took place in the West End’s Chandos House.  Following the success of W1, the recipe for LDN was more of the same, with a day and evening session for our trade customers to come along and taste.

We’ve heard there’s a certain sports event happening in the capital this summer, and it looks like its going to be a busy one for London’s trade. Our research shows that the Olympics will bring around an extra £323 million worth of business to the capital.

With this in mind, Bibendum LDN focused on our insights into the consumers who will be drinking wine in London this summer: who they are, what they like, and how much they are willing to spend. In addition to this we showed just over 100 wines and spirits, a spot of fine wine, plus Bibendum’s new English Wines promotion British Summer Time (BST). All of which is designed to give our customers the best chance to maximise on sales during the Summer period.

One of the highlights of the tasting was Bibendum’s extended English wines portfolio, available to taste for the first time as part of our BST – British Summer Time - promotion.

The aim of the campaign is to promote English wines to consumers in the on trade, showcasing the best of England’s boutique wine and spirit producers.  As part of the campaign, we have listed nine new wines from five great producers, with a select few on show during the day.

The English range included the delicate Pinot Auxerrois and a pale pink Rosé from a’beckett’s; the pink fizz of Balfour Brut Rosé from Hush Heath Estate; and the stunning Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay from Chapel Down. All were extremely well received on the day and highlighted the quality being produced so close to home.

Other personal favourites on the day included some of the other new arrivals to the portfolio for 2012. I particularly liked the fresh and lively Quinta des Arcas Conde Villar Branco 2010 from Vinho Verde, the stylish Soho Wine Co Stella Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from Marlborough and a 2009 Cotes du Jura Chardonnay from Domaine Rijckaert.  Three whites which would be major players on any summer wine list.

On the red front, Acustic Cellars Ritme Tinto Cepas Velles 2010 and Bernabeleva’s Garnacha de Bernebeleva 2008 were awesome examples of modern Spain. While modern Siciliy was also represented with Terre di Giumara Frappato/Nerello Mascalese 2010 from Caruso-Minini. Anyone seeking amazing value for money will have been wowed by Domaine Cheval-Blanc Signe Bordeaux Rouge 2010 and the Bobal de San Juan Tinto 2011 from Spain’s Utiel Requena.

Keep an eye out for more on our British Summer Time campaign and all our new English drinks, both here on B Times and on our website over the coming months.

Here are a few pics from our time at Altitude 360 -

British Summer Time drinking -

Who’s drinking what -

The Olympic Route Network -

The summer drinking mix (%) -

A few new arrivals for 2012 -

Rosé, Rosado, Rosato -

Crystal Head joins the party -

One of the best views in London -

Highlights from the Vivid line up -

The Best of British -

Read all about last year’s Tasting – Bibendum W1

Tags: Bibendum LDN, Bibendum Spring Tasting, British Summer Time, Edits, English Wines, News

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