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Welcome<br />
A very warm welcome to our final edition for <strong>2023</strong>. I don’t<br />
know where the time has gone this year, it’s flown by and<br />
it’s been eventful, much like the preceding few years!<br />
That said, it feels like optimism is creeping back slowly<br />
and there is a sliver of light at the end of the tunnel with<br />
inflation slowing for two consecutive months to August. It<br />
might not be the time for outright celebration but we’re<br />
certainly looking forward to the festivities in our house!<br />
Whilst there is no getting away from falling transaction<br />
numbers, this is not cause for despair. We need to make the<br />
most of every sale and upselling with wine is an excellent<br />
way to drive profitability.<br />
Here are my top tips for the next few months and beyond…<br />
Approach your drinks orders as you do your food orders. A<br />
starter, main and dessert option should always be on offer.<br />
An aperitif is a great way to start a meal and as it’s<br />
Christmas a glass of fizz is perfect. Check out page 19 for a<br />
few options.<br />
With main courses, food matching is your friend. Instead of<br />
ever popular and good value Merlot, offer a premium and<br />
versatile alternative such as Primitivo (page 5), Cotes du<br />
Rhone (page 15) or a juicy and rich Pinotage (page 7).<br />
With dessert, I can never turn down pudding wine and our<br />
Muscat de St Jean de Minervois at £3.99 per half bottle is a<br />
bargain (page 15). You may even have room for a little glass<br />
of port to finish off the evening.<br />
Encourage trading up by offering premium alternatives<br />
of old favourites. For Sauvignon Blanc, offer one from New<br />
Zealand or France and for Pinot Grigio, look to Sicily for<br />
inspiration, Miopasso is my pick. Go to page 9 and consider<br />
a French Merlot such as Berticot as an upgrade from Chile.<br />
Finally, add value, offer festive additions such as mulled<br />
wine, port and sherry as the nights draw in.<br />
That’s all from me except to wish you a wonderful<br />
Christmas and very happy New Year. We’ll be back in<br />
January with some more fantastic offers and a handful of<br />
new and exciting portfolio additions.<br />
Holly Ninnes<br />
Head of <strong>Wine</strong><br />
All wines shown here are available on a first-come-firstserve<br />
basis. Please contact Telesales to find out more.<br />
2<br />
See our full range of products online at staustellfamilygroup.co.uk/wholesale
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