Freixenet secures new on-trade distribution

Matthew Clark has taken on Freixenet in response to a growing demand for cava in the UK on-trade.

The distributor will handle Freixenet cavas, including its top end Elyssia label, as well as the group’s new still wine brand called Mia, and its Vionta Albariño.

The new tie-up will augment Matthew Clark’s cava portfolio, which already contains Codorníu, the smaller, but still significant rival to Freixenet.

Speaking of the new agreement, Gerald Chislett, Freixenet’s new trade sector manager said, “We believe Matthew Clark has the reach and competencies to support us in meeting our brand ambitions in the on-trade and we are genuinely excited to be working with them.”

Continuing, he said, “We see a fantastic opportunity to develop the sector and will be highlighting the quality factors of cava in general, while recommending various levels of Freixenet cava to suit the commercial aspirations of different outlet styles.

“All customers can be confident when ordering via Matthew Clark that Freixenet’s cavas and wines deliver great margin by the glass, bottle or as a base for ever-popular cocktails,” he concluded.

Simon Jerrome, Matthew Clark’s purchasing director for wines added: “We are delighted to be introducing this new range from Freixenet, building on the work we have already done with Codorníu in the UK’s on-trade.

“We understand the growing popularity of cava and are pleased to offer our on-trade customers a variety of cava from the two market leading producers.”

Meanwhile, in January this year UK distributor Bibendum took on Segura Viudas cava, owned by the Freixenet Group.

“We think Segura Viudas could be a wonderful brand in the on-trade in the UK, but we’ve only just started,” said Gloria Collell, wine manager for Segura Viudas.

Freixenet is the world’s largest producer of traditional method sparkling wine, producing between 80m and 100m bottles every year, more than twice the size of rival Codorníu, which makes around 40m bottles.