Pitfalls to avoid for California wine exports to U.K.

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The latest stream of economic news out of China has not been positive. Though the consumer portion of China’s economy is reportedly still growing, the engine for the world’s second biggest economy, manufacturing, appears to be contracting. The slower economic growth combined with government reforms on gift giving have hurt the growth of California wine exports to China, with bottled exports showing a 22 percent decline in 2015, according to the Nov. 15 Gomberg Frederickson Report.

Similarly, economic indicators for our neighbor to the north haven’t been stellar. Battered by low oil prices, the Canadian economy has been bumping along, actually contracting somewhat in 2015. The persistent low oil prices and slow growth have combined to drop the value of the Canadian dollar 30 percent against the U.S. dollar in the last two years. While sales of U.S. wine exports to Canada still grew 3 percent in 2015, this market is getting more challenging.

These trends are important, as many California wineries seeking to build export markets for their brands have focused significant attention on China and Canada in recent years. With these potential outlets weakening, shifting focus to the United Kingdom market may offer an alternative export strategy. Growth of U.S. exports to the U.K. increased 15 percent by volume in 2015 and an even more impressive 48 percent by value. While the dollar has appreciated against most currencies in recent years, its value against the British pound is up only 15 percent in the last two years, compared to 20 percent for the euro.

OPEN TO U.S. FINE WINE

The perception of the U.K. wine market has been that it is dominated by large European brands, which has historically been accurate. Even as some California brands have gained market share, the luxury market was still dominated by French houses.

That’s changing. The U.K. market is showing a willingness to try more California wines at the higher end - above £20 (about $28). Wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy and other premium regions in Europe still capture the largest portion of this segment, but U.K. consumers are increasingly open to alternatives. The so-called “cult cabs” of Napa Valley are increasingly well-known and sought after, and this seems to be helping create a pull for other California wines at higher price points.

In considering brands and wines that might work best in the U.K. market, it helps to first look at the market nuances that create obstacles to selling wine in that country.

TOO MUCH SPECIFICITY

Consumers in the U.K. are used to identifying by regions and categories, such as grand cru wines from Bordeaux. The number of very specific American viticultural areas, or AVAs, in California is confusing British consumers. While the wine industry has worked successfully to educate domestic consumers on the difference between a Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast pinot noir, for consumers in the U.K. the 16 AVAs in Sonoma County is too granular to discern differences.

Also, British consumers have a challenge with the wide swing in varietal labeling. It’s more challenging to understand the difference between a £5 pinot and a £50 pinot when they tend to rely on regional quality markers. For example, nebbiolo varietal wine is labeled as Barolo, after the appellation in the Piedmont of northwest Italy known for that variety.

The multitude of SKUs from many California wineries also creates confusion. One producer may offer several chardonnays in the same market, each with a separate appellation or vineyard designation.

‘FRUIT BOMBS’

One of the other roadblocks for California wines have been the perception that most of our offerings are high-alcohol “fruit bombs.” The trend toward bringing back lower-alcohol alternatives has increased U.K. consumers’ willingness to try California.

HIGH TAXES, EXTRA FEES

The relatively high-tax levy on wine in the U.K. adds a burden to imports into that market but has oddly helped build the higher-end market. There is a flat £2 tax on a 750-milliliter bottle of table wine, plus a 20 percent value-added tax, or VAT. For higher-end wine, the flat £2 tax becomes proportionally smaller and consumers are understanding that they effectively get “more wine for the money” as they trade up.

Depending on the market segment and retailer, a California exporter might also be burdened with shelving fees. Some wine merchants might also charge these fees, but the practice is less common for shops selling fine wine.

MEET THE PRODUCERS

At the higher end of the spectrum, one marketing feature in the U.K. that mirrors the domestic market is the regular presence of the producer. The larger accounts in the U.K. expect to personally meet with producers periodically. According to one representative from a well-established wine merchant in the U.K., producers would be wise to plan on visiting key accounts two times per year.

There are a number of very solid wine merchants for California wineries to work with. With good distribution networks in place and a growing appetite for California wines, the U.K. represents a growing opportunity for high-end wines. However, the focus should be on product lines that best fit the taste profile of the British consumer, aren’t muddled by too many SKUs and can be consistently supplied and supported.

Charles Day (Charles.Day@rabobank.com) is senior vice president and area manager of the North Coast Food & Agriculture group of Rabobank, N.A. Vine Notes is a monthly column by authors from Rabobank and Farella Braun + Martel.

Vine Notes columns

Read previous Vine Notes columns at

NorthBayBusinessJournal.com/ VineNotes.

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