Corney & Barrow to list Peruvian wines

UK wine merchant Corney & Barrow is to introduce a small range of Peruvian wines to its portfolio next year.

The wines were available to taste at the merchant’s recent trade tasting and include a Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Malbec and Syrah.

The wines are made by Intipalka winery in the Ica region of southern Peru, an area better known for its pisco production.

Speaking to the drinks business, associate director and head of merchant sales, James Franklin, said the wines were not yet in their finished form but that they would likely be launched in January or February next year.

‘Customers are looking for wines from all over the world,” he said, “and Peru has a nice mix of being interesting but with the safety blanket of known varieties. People are comfortable with Chile and Argentina and Peru fits right in.”

With the rise and interest in Peruvian restaurants in London, Franklin continued that the on-trade and Corney & Barrow’s catering business would be the chief market for the wines but they would not be exclusive to those sectors.