ON THE GRAPEVINE
Here’s the Irish Sun’s retailer and wines of 2020 – who impressed despite the struggles the year posed
Matthew Nugent
Updated: 3 Jan 2021, 16:57
IN the latter part of 2020, the word “pivot” popped up regularly in business parlance.
The dictionary defines the verb thus: “to turn or balance on a central point, to make something do this”.
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We constantly heard about entrepreneurs “pivoting” making changes to their business model to survive.
For independent wine shops streamlining their business, or adding extra value for their customers, has always been necessary.
They had to “pivot” after the economic downturn of 2008. Many organised wine education evenings or dedicated a section of their premises to highlight artisan foods.
Many of us will not be able to celebrate New Year s Eve in the way we d hoped.
Yet come midnight we will still want to pop a bottle or two of champagne to usher in let s hope a far better 2021.
With the exception of the French, who make it, no nation drinks as much champagne as the UK we down around 27 million bottles a year.
Which explains why supermarkets have a raft of deals, with plenty of bottles for £18 or less.
Rather than being part of own-brand ranges, these bargains are usually made exclusively for the shops by large champagne houses and have the associated labels of upmarket brands, disguising the fact you ve scrimped on a cheaper version.