Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/133302
WHAT WE'RE DRINKING Spotlight on THE SPANISH CELLAR BRINGS SPANISH WINE TRENDS FRONT AND CENTER S pain's financial woes did little to dampen enthusiasm at The Spanish Cellar, the annual showcase of upand-coming producers and wines, which hit New York City on April 15, with a West Coast edition in San Francisco two days later. Held in Manhattan at Gotham Hall, a historic former bank building, the event and its space were a metaphor for what's going on in Spain—and, indeed, much of Europe: The economy may be stagnant, but the vineyards are flourishing. "Thankfully, it is continuing to go well despite the gloomy economic forecast in Spain," says Katrin Naelapaa, Director of Wines from Spain USA, the promotional trade association based in New York. "If anything, the value side has defined growth. We still have to manage that carefully, because we've spent so many years building up the image of the quality." Spain's price-to-value ratio has been its strong suit as the wines have gained ground in the U.S. And despite its popularity—especially at entry price points—"Spain still remains kind of a novelty," Naelappa said. Peter G. Deutsch, Vice President and Eastern Regions Sales Manager for the Enye Group, an importer of boutique wines from Latin countries, says now that people are familiar with the entry-level wines, he's seeing consumers move up their price points. "The news is that we are seeing more interest in Spanish top-end wine [$30+] than a year ago," he says. "Consumers are confident in their choices, with a knowledge of the regions and the grape varietals, and are now paying $4 to $6 more a bottle for a better quality wine." And the return, he says is "remarkable": "When you go from a $9.99 joven to a $15 Spain by Lana Bortolot / photos by Doug Young The New York edition of The Spanish Cellar in full swing at Gotham Hall in New York. 154 / the tasting panel / june 2013 TP0613_120-156.indd 154 5/23/13 4:56 PM