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UNITED KINGDOM
– IMPORTER –
Boutinot prides itself on having winemakers, tractors and vineyards in the UK, southern Rhone, Piemonte and Franschhoek
BOUTINOT WINES
“A business built on great people
and fantastic quality”
Boasting a history spanning back over forty years, Boutinot is a household name
in wine distribution and production, revolving around “great people and fantastic
quality”. Its UK head Shaun English explains how the company is keeping its finger
on the pulse of the fast-moving wine market.
By Ellen Budge - Photographs: courtesy of the estates
Originally a strong advocate of French wines,
Boutinot now sources wines worldwide from a
complimentary combination of international
wine producers and its own wineries.
It sells over 40 million bottles a year across
60+ countries. Covering every route to market in the UK,
from e-commerce, national retail, wholesale and on-trade
to independent retail, it prides itself on its close ties with the
supply side. “We have winemakers, tractors and vineyards
in the UK, southern Rhone, Piemonte and Franschhoek,
which enables us to taste, touch, feel and smell our great
own production wines”, explains Shaun English. These
ties extend to its 150-plus partner producers, and are
proving to be extremely valuable in the volatile Coviddriven
world. “Our criteria for selecting our suppliers
haven’t changed in the past 12 months, but many of the
qualities we look for have been really important to us –
trustworthiness and reliability being the most important.”
Drawing on consumer and industry-driven feedback along
with recognition in the form of accolades and reviews,
Boutinot is riding the crest of consumer enthusiasm for
more esoteric regions such as Georgia, Lebanon and
Austria, along with organic offerings from Chile and
Spain and German wines. It is also enjoying success with
red and rosé Costieres, Provence rosés and Gamay from
Beaujolais or neighbouring localities, in addition to as yet
under-the-radar wines from areas such as Côtes de Thau,
plus entry-level California, due to “increased presence and
better sourcing”. Ultimately, the company is now readying
to resume business as usual post-Covid restrictions: “From
June 21 st and the hopeful full removal of lockdown –
I think I can speak for all in the trade both customers,
suppliers and consumers – we cannot wait to be back out
there. Safely of course!”
SPRING 2021 GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE FRENCH EXPERTS ON WINE 93