Showcasing new arrivals, retailers plan to jumpstart the spring season with extensive wine tastings and curated multipacks. “As the weather warms, rosé takes center stage,” says Andrew McMurray, vice president of Zachys Wine & Liquor in Port Chester, New York. “Look for crisp Sancerre, like the 2022 Alphonse Mellot La Moussière Sancerre ($35.95 a 750-ml.), alongside the much-anticipated arrival of new vintages from Burgundy and Bordeaux.”
This spring at Zachys, new white wine arrivals—such as the 2020 Les Charmes Godard Blanc($22.95 a 750-ml.) and the 2022 Olivier Leflaive Les Sétilles Bourgogne Blanc ($35)—join established favorites like the 2019 Guigal Condrieu ($49.95). “While white wine sales naturally rise with warmer weather, Zachys remains a haven for red wine lovers year-round,” McMurray says. “For reds, we love value picks like the 2019 Clos St. Antonin Côtes du Rhône ($14.95) and the 2020 Ducru-Beaucaillou Le Petit Ducru ($43). No spring table is complete without the perfect lamb pairing, so be sure to check out the 2021 Faiveley Mercurey La Framboisière 2021 ($59.95).”
Spring promotions at Zachys will include rosé pack specials designed for backyard gatherings. “We’ve also got lots of spring tastings on the calendar so clients can come in and experience wines before they purchase,” McMurray says. “If they can’t make it to an event, our Tasting Center is open whenever Zachys is, and we have a robust spring lineup rotating every two weeks.”
Gary’s Wine & Marketplace, which has four stores in New Jersey and one in Napa, California, has also experienced an increased demand for curated wine bundles. Over the winter holidays, Gary’s launched four different six-packs of (750-ml.) wine. “They were a great success, so we recently put together four curated wine six-packs for Easter and springtime,” says wine director Gillian Sciaretta. “Each includes a selection of curated wines based on a theme: refreshing white wines ($80), elegant red wines ($75), Easter celebration wines ($85), Italian wines for Easter ($95). Each bundle (six 750-mls.) is offered at a discounted price to show fantastic value. We believe these will be successful as great ‘grab and go’ items.”
Gary’s traditionally sees growth in white wine sales each month from March through July, and then it plateaus. “As the weather starts to get warmer and daylight hours increase, we start seeing an increase in demand for crisp white wines—Sauvignon Blancs, Grüner Veltliners, Albariños, unoaked Chardonnays, Pinot Grigios—and rosés, especially when the new vintage lands, and light-to-medium bodied reds, such as Pinot Noirs, Loire Valley reds, Sicilian reds, and Gamays,” says Sciaretta.
Gary’s Easter and springtime wine six-packs are promoted via SMS to customers, on the store’s website, and through social media. Stores will have a Saturday in-store tasting for Easter selections in mid-March. For Passover, stores will have displays with signage for Kosher wines, supported through social media, and Gary’s Closter, New Jersey, store will have an in-store tasting.
In mid-April, Gary’s is planning a “Cheers to Spring!” sale featuring select wines that are typically in demand this time of year. “We are pushing for in-store tastings more than ever because the best way to introduce a new wine, or any beverage alcohol, to a customer is to have them taste it and learn more about it,” Sciaretta says. “We now have in-store tastings almost every day of the week for products we carry, including wines, spirits, beers, and RTDs.”
Beverages are often paired with one or two of Gary’s gourmet items, such as cheeses. Each Saturday tasting includes a curated selection of wines based on themes like A Toast to Women’s History Month and Great Wines for Easter. “We are also looking to do more classes and seminars at certain stores,” Sciaretta says.
Meanwhile, spring tastings at Zachys include a 2019 Brunello vintage debut on April 5, Drouhin Burgundy on April 19, California wine and craft Bourbon on April 27, spring rosés, whites, and sparkling tasting on May 11, and a Château Margaux masterclass on May 16. “We’re seeing some interesting trends emerge in 2024. Discerning collectors are still driving demand for fine wines,” McMurray says. “However, there’s also a growing interest in lighter-bodied options, with lower-alcohol wines gaining traction even in traditionally bold regions like Bordeaux and Burgundy.”