Co-op launches wine tastings

UK convenience retailer Co-op has launched monthly wine tastings for members hosted by in-house wine buyers and own label winemakers.

The convenience retailer’s online tastings will take place each month, focusing on two wines linked to the season. Winemakers and members of Co-op’s wine buying team will host the tastings, the first of which took place in March.

The next event will focus on Co-op’s Irresistible Rioja and Irresistible Rioja Blanco wines, will take place on 24 April, hosted by Muriel Wines producers Javier Murua and Chema Ryan.

Co-op, a consumer-owned co-operative, first piloted virtual wine tastings during the pandemic. Wine buyer Sarah Benson said the online events were “incredibly popular during those lockdown days”, adding that the group “wanted to bring this back in response to demand”.

“We’re fiercely proud to work with some of the world’s finest winemakers for our own-brand range, and we’re thrilled to offer our members exclusive access to learn first-hand how our wines are produced,” she said.

Benson said that the group has launched a number of initiatives for members to take part in behind-the-scenes decision making, including asking customers to help design the supermarket’s Irresistable Pais label and choosing the right colour and bottle for its Irresistible Solo Rosé.

When signed up, members will receive a Zoom link to join the event on the day. Participants will also get advance notice on what wines will feature.

Viviana Navarrete, lead producer of Co-op’s Irresistible Sauvignon Blanc Rosé, was the first producer to speak at one of the tastings. She discussed the wine alongside Co-op’s Leyda Valley Sauvignon Blanc, explaining the processes and history of the wines and answered questions.

Becoming a Co-op Member costs £1.

Upping the numbers

According to a statement released by the supermarket today (4 April), Co-op has surpassed expectations with substantial membership growth, now reaching 5.2 million active member-owners.

New sign ups in 2023 were higher than the previous two years combined, the group reported, with plans to increase the number of member-owners to 8 million by 2030.

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