Star Wine List's Krister Bengtsson debates the future of fine wine
At an event organised by the think tank Areni Global in Helsinki earlier in September, Star Wine List's founder Krister Bengtsson shared insights from Star Wine List's analytics and wine list awards.
"When it comes to building brand and distribution, for a very long time, it is no secret who has been successful at this: the Champagne houses. And it is visible in the wine lists worldwide," said Krister Bengtsson during a panel on the future of fine wine distribution, on 9 September 2024.
The discussion was led by Felicity Carter, with co-panelists Raimonds Tomsons, a leading sommelier and importer in Latvia, and Arnt Egil Nordlien, buyer at the Norwegian alcohol monopoly Vinmonopolet.
Bengtsson also shared information from Star Wine List Pro Analytics, which draws data from more than 2,900 wine lists around the world, showing that:
- Classical producers like Château Margaux, Sassicaia and Vega Sicilia have a wide distribution on leading wine lists.
- Sommeliers still love Burgundy – the region accounts for 18 out of the top 100 producers.
- Newer-wave producers outside the classic regions have climbed the rankings, such as Emidio Pepe and Envinate.
When asked about other trends, Bengtsson explained that, in the Star Wine List awards, longer does not necessarily mean better – short or medium-sized lists like those at Bord in Stockholm or Grimal in Copenhagen have done very well with jury panels. "Where previously, verticals of known wines were the sign of great lists, now, shorter, more dynamic lists are seen as more in line with the times," he said.
Areni Global is a think tank focused on the future of fine wine, by which it means the top of the pyramid in terms of quality.
Held at Pastis restaurant, the Helsinki event was by invitation only and drew a prominent audience of producers, importers, sommeliers and other influential figures from the fine wine world, particularly from northern Europe. Four of Star Wine List's ambassadors from the region were in attendance: Raimonds Tomsons, Heidi Mäkinen MW, Kristjan Markii and Alba Hough.
Sustainability, new consumers, new narratives
In other panels, Honore Comfort from the California Wine Institute shared insights on its communication with younger consumers. And elsewhere, Heidi Mäkinen MW discussed sustainability and excellence in viticulture with Sogrape's Mafalda Guedes and Mathieu Jullien from LVMH's Vins d'Exception.
To learn more about the discussions – which will soon be available as podcasts – visit Areni Global.
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