Summertime and the living is easy. Warm evenings mean dining al fresco and when the sun shines, it seems rude not to pop open some vino to accompany that simple salad or sizzling barbeque.

The Irish consumer’s consumption of wine has changed dramatically in recent years. Back in the early 1990s, your choice was Blue Nun or … Blue Nun.

Now our supermarkets and independent retailers have such a selection, Kevin O’Callaghan, head wine buyer with SuperValu, says when wine makers come to Ireland from France, Spain, Italy and beyond, they view our supermarket shelves as something akin to wine libraries.

“Consumers might be jealous of the cheaper prices when they are holidaying in Spain, but it is shelf after shelf of Spanish wine. Irish consumers can choose from wines across the world,” says Kevin.

Our standards have risen and, as a result, the Irish consumer is now willing to pay that bit more for a quality bottle, as are consumers in the UK. In 2014, there were approximately 29m wine drinkers every month in the UK. That number has now dropped to 28m, but profits haven’t fallen in line with that. There may be less wine bought, but the bottles are higher quality – and Kevin says a similar trend can be seen here.

“There are now about 1.9m wine drinkers engaging with wine once a month. Many are in the €10 category with an offer, and above, or in the €10 to €15 category. That’s because wine drinkers are becoming more experienced and educated and can taste the difference. Rather than sticking in the €8 bracket, they are spending that €2 extra on a €10 bottle, which is actually €5 or €6 more in terms of quality,” he explains.

Red V White

When it comes to reds and whites, more people buy white but those purchasing red are willing to part with more of their euros. “The purchasing split between white and red is 55:45 in favour of white wine. The lower price bracket is very much dominated by white but, outside of chablis and sancerre – when people are spending past that €15 price point – it tends to be red.”

Could this be because, anecdotally, people start drinking white and move on to red, so you tend to have older, more educated consumers with more disposable income drinking red?

“Absolutely,” replies Kevin. “People mature through their wine journey. We are also seeing this with New World and Old World wine sales. If you are to go back six years ago, the split was 75% New World sales and 25% Old World sales. Everything was Chilean, Australian, New Zealand. Now that split is 60:40, still in favour of the New World but it has been a huge switch. People aren’t as intimidated.”

Spanish Success

Added to this, Spain is having a serious moment in the sun with their varieties, which was very evident at SuperValu’s Specially Selected event.

“Rioja and tempranillo are selling well, but Spanish whites are cutting a groove for themselves. Albarino really is the trendy grape of the moment; I like to call it the gin and tonic of the wine world. But seriously, in a blind tasting test, if you were to put some of the quality albarinos next to some Burgundys, you really could trip some people up. A touch of minerality, lots of roundness, a great glass of wine.”

Kevin says one of his best wine-buying tips for consumers – whether they are buying red or white – is to look towards the grape varieties you are a bit unsure of.

“These aren’t as popular, but they will offer great value for wine. For example, look at a monasterell, rather than a cabernet. Compared to some other popular varieties at the same price point, it just trumps them.” CL

Top Picks

Lunático Monasterell

Looking to experiment with a Monasterell as Kevin suggests? The Lunático has a beautiful balance of a fresh fruit feel but evolving complexity. €18.99.

Flor de Anon Organic Garnacha

Looking for a summertime red? The winemaker behind this organic Garnacha says you have to close your eyes before you smell it. It may look pale and quite young but when you put it up to your nose, it is like boom as the fruitiness hits your nose and the experience follows right through to the mouth. €14.99.