Matthew Clark launches white GSM for restaurant sector

Matthew Clark has launched the first ever white GSM blend using White Grenache, Sauvignon Blanc and Marsanne from the south of France.

The wine, which is destined for the UK on-trade, comes under the newly-created Ancianor label and was shown alongside 200 new wines unveiled at the distributor’s London tasting last week.

Boisset has blended the wine exclusively for Matthew Clark and it complements a red GSM using the classic components of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre.

The new line-up of wines, all of which come closed with screwcaps, includes a Vermentino from the Vaucluse among other red and white grape varieties.

Matthew Clark also told the drinks business that it had secured the on-trade exclusivity for the Rhône’s Jean-Luc Colombo. Explaining the tie-up, Simon Jerome, purchasing director, said, “We are certainly seeing more demand for the Rhône, and it does what France does best, which is blends.”

Significant changes to the Matthew Clark range of New World wines have also been made, and the distributor now has UK on-trade exclusivity for Distell’s entire portfolio of South African wines.

However, the majority of changes according to Tony Allen, New World wine buyer, concern Matthew Clark’s Argentine and Australian line-up, and, notably, the company is now handling the Malbrontes wines from the former country’s Las Bodegas. This label comprises a Malbec and Torrontes blend red and rosé, containing 5% of Argentina’s native white grape to make “Malbec even more accessible,” according to Allen.

From Australia, Matthew Clark is now bringing in boutique wineries such as Bethany from Barossa, Oakridge from the Yarra Valley and the Paracombe wines from Adelaide Hills.

Explaining the changes Allen said, “We sorted out Chile last year so this year the focus has been on South Africa, Argentina and Australia… We are focusing more on jewels in the crown to get a range where there is something for everybody at all price points and something exciting: anyone can have a £14 Chardonnay from Australia but is it Oakridge five-star Halliday Chardonnay from the Yarra Valley?”

Finally, Matthew Clark has altered its Californian line-up to include Chalone wines from Monterey County and St Supéry wines from Napa, as well as a new brand called Greenwood Pass, which has been created exclusively by the Sonoma Wine Company for the UK distributor.

Patrick Schmitt, 15.03.2011