Jascots introduces sparkling wine on draught

First came the screw cap, now it is wine on draught that is causing a stir in the wine world and Jascots Wine Merchants, a specialist London supplier to the on-trade, has entered the debate by turning on the taps of Vino Vispo; its brand new Italian sparkling wine on draught.

Jascots’ sales and marketing director Miles MacInnes says:

“In this fast paced and booming casual dining sector the wine industry needs to keep up and strip back its pretentions; gone are white table cloths and sommelier table service. We believe it’s time to start thinking outside the bottle and put the spotlight on making wine accessible, fun and appealing.

“There is an onus on these outlets to stay innovative on product and branding, and where much has been made of food trends and menu adaptations, the wine offering can sometimes get lost. We think Vino Vispo presents an exciting opportunity for operators to portray their personality as well as offering a quality product.”

Jascots has developed Vino Vispo with its partner producer Enrico Bedin from the Veneto Italy, which already supplies its Prosecco range. Jascots Wine marketing manager Adam Porter adds: “Although it is made from Glera which is the same grape variety that makes Prosecco, Vino Vispo is a separate product entirely.  It has a lighter spritz than bottled Prosecco and is a totally different proposition; handled well, it can be fresher and better than wine by-the-glass served from bottles that may have been open for some time”.

In the fast-paced world of rotating covers that makes up the casual dining scene, this latest technology is important for improving service times and the efficiency of wastage. The sparkling wine kegs eliminate waste from unsold wine in open bottles allowing trade outlets to sell wine by-the-glass in a much more efficient and environmentally friendly way. What’s more, the kegs are lightweight and totally recyclable, which means they are really kind on the environment by reducing carbon footprint. Given that space in these quirkily decorated outlets can often be limited, the kegs also save on storage; as the wine is served through refrigerated lines every glass is the perfect temperature and the wine doesn’t lose its sparkle.

Jascots is also introducing a range of still wines on tap, including a white and rosé, which will be perfect for summer. From existing Pays d’Oc producer Mas de la Source these wines represent a quality offering for draught flow and are exclusive to Jascots in the UK on-trade. Adam adds:

“We want to make wine accessible to everyone and encourage its popularity in all its counterparts. Although we don’t think that this particular wine will be seen in “Le Gavroche” any time soon it’s just the sort of “quality without the fuss” product that suits the thriving casual dining/wine bar sector down to the ground. Ciders and fruit ciders have seen huge growth in restaurants and bars over the last few years and we think this wine has a similar appeal, it’s fun, refreshing, light in alcohol and easy to drink without food.”

12 March 2015 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor