Can I ask you something?

What exactly is an allocation?

An allocation is simply the amount of wine you receive. As importers, we receive allocations from our winemakers, and our wine lovers receive allocations from us. Production in certain regions is often minimal. Take the Jura or Champagne, for example. Each vineyard is divided among many winemakers, and some only have a few, meaning they make small amounts of wine, usually just a few barrels.

Meanwhile, the best wines enjoy substantial global demand, and in many cases, there needs to be more to satisfy everyone. Furthermore, the vintage plays a significant role. A problematic vintage will directly affect our allocation. Recently, we have seen a series of smaller allocations due to hail and late frost. It is very challenging, mainly because the demand is so high. However, more than ever before, the best winemakers rarely make bad wines under challenging vintages.

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Transparent

Our starting point is to be as fair as possible. If we have minimal availability, we consider a few things: firstly, previous purchases of certain wines or champagnes—we want to help enthusiasts choose winemakers they have supported in previous vintages. Furthermore, we reward enthusiasts who buy more wines from a winemaker and not just the top bottles because this kind of support is also very much appreciated by our winemakers. This fairness is at the core of our allocation process, ensuring that everyone has a chance to enjoy our wines.

We understand the frustrations that can arise with allocations. There may be a year when our allocation for a particular wine drops by more than 50%, making an allocation unachievable. We are committed to transparency and will always help find the best options. We recognize the incredible demand for top-tier wines, which means that it is only sometimes possible to meet the expectations of all enthusiasts. We share your frustration, especially if you have been able to purchase a particular wine before. In such cases, patience is key when considering the most requested wine.

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Knowledge and expertise

Many fantastic wines are out there, and we use our knowledge and expertise to highlight the best opportunities, especially for winemakers just starting. At this stage, wines may be easier to obtain, but they can be allocated in the future as demand grows. We specialize in spotting emerging stars in the wine world. We have close, long-standing relationships with our winemakers, which means that we visit them regularly to taste them and support them. Nurturing these relationships is best for us to maintain allocations in the smaller vintages. Our expertise in identifying and nurturing emerging talent ensures that you're always getting the best from us.

 

Interestingly, our winemakers increasingly express the desire for their wines to go to enthusiasts who want to enjoy them rather than to speculative customers who wish to profit in the short term. We also try to identify new talent first. If you champion a winemaker before they become known, you build loyalty and lay the foundation for a fruitful relationship.

 

• We look forward to a pleasant cooperation.