Bibendum launches a range of wines on tap

UK on-trade supplier Bibendum Wine has launched a range of keg wines, which will be available as of 1 April 2015. The range includes an Argentinean Malbec; an Australian Pinot Grigio; an Australian Shiraz; an Italian Frizzante, Trebbiano and Sangiovese; a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc; and a French Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

The keg wine format has been going from strength to strength. In 2014, the number of venues in the US serving wine on tap grew 66%. With London hot spots such as Vinoteca, Pizza Pilgrims and Flesh and Buns taking up the keg wine mantle, it seems as though the UK is following the American lead.

Bibendum’s range of wines available on tap has been carefully considered, selected and sourced by the Bibendum team. Heavily influenced by information gathered by Bibendum’s insights team, the styles of wine have been chosen to perfectly reflect consumer demand.

For the physical keg packaging, Bibendum is working with KeyKeg to offer the best quality and shelf life possible. The two-compartment system ensures that the wines are not exposed to propellant gases and the patented double wall technology guarantees optimum safety during transport and storage. A further benefit of the keg storage format is that it is very environmentally friendly. More efficient shipping and less packaging means that during the course of its lifetime, a single keg reduces the wine’s carbon footprint by 96 % compared with traditional glass bottles.

Andrew Shaw, buying director for the Bibendum PLB Group says: “We’ve been considering launching a range of wines on tap for a number of months now. There’s a real buzz around keg wine and we are the only supplier currently offering such a wide selection of quality wines in this format. It was very important to us that we found the right wines and the right storage options before we went full steam ahead; and judging by the feedback we are getting from customers, we have succeeded in doing this.”

Simon Swift, MD of Bibendum PLB’s Wondering Wine Company says: “Having followed the trend & growth of wine on tap in the USA for three years, we are really excited to incorporate the range into the Wondering Wine Company offering. Carefully selected quality juice and expert technical installation delivers a terrific opportunity for events and venues wishing to engage their customers in the world of wine. Fast to serve and space efficient too, there’s just no downside. We will be pouring an Italian Sangiovese and New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc at Twickenham for the remainder of the Six Nations Championship and almost all of our summer events.”

Mark Riley, sales director at Bibendum adds: “Towards the latter half of last year, we saw demandfor keg wine increase dramatically. Launching our own range therefore, was a no brainer. The wines that we have on tap are have been sourced by our excellent buying team and have been tested using the KeyKeg storage system. They offer a bit of fun and theatre to the traditional wine serve as well as a greener shipping and storage alternative.’

• Bibendum Wine Ltd was established in 1982 in Primrose Hill, London and was started by a group of friends who began selling a mixture of classed growths and unusual bottles to private clients. Today Bibendum sells over 5 million cases of wine and spirits to around 4,000 On Trade customers each year, from Michelin-starred restaurants to independent pubs and international sporting venues. www.bibendum-wine.co.uk

• Founded in 2011, The Wondering Wine Company is a mobile wine bar business. You can find its fleet of vintage Citroen H Vans and slick, modern Airstreams everywhere from street food festivals to international sporting and musical events. The Wondering Wine Company is the UK’s sole supplier of GoVino glassware, a range of stylish and eco-friendly polymer glasses. www.wonderingwine.com

• Bibendum and The Wondering Wine Company are trading companies within the Bibendum PLB Group 

3 March 2015 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor