A few weeks ago the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), through its agencies – the US Dairy Export Council, US Meat Export Federation, USA Poultry & Egg Export Council and the Wine Institute of California – hosted a very informative event called “Tastes, Trends and Profitability”.

With over 200 persons in attendance, the target audience of executive chefs, executive sous-chefs, F&B managers, assistant F&B managers, purchasing Managers, and restaurant owners was well represented.

The event consisted of presentations and food service demonstrations which featured US meat, poultry, cheeses and California wines. Experts were on hand to share culinary trends for new menu concepts with the hope that they would boost the profitability of the attendees’ food business and add cutting-edge ingredients to their line-up. Attendees were able to sample the products from leading suppliers of US meat, poultry, cheese and California wines – this is the part I liked.

A number of local importers/distributors were present and they were pouring all California wines to the delight of the attendees. The representative of the Wine Institute of California delivered a short fact-filled presentation on the state of US wines with a focus on California.

California is America’s top wine producer, making 90-95% of all US wines.

California is the fourth leading wine producer in the world behind the countries of France, Italy and Spain.

California’s 2,690 wineries are predominantly family-owned and multi-generational.

While we enjoy great wine, most of us sometimes forget that it is a farm product. Wine is the number one finished agricultural product in retail value in the US.

Shari Lobo, regional portfolio manager from Stansfeld Scott Inc representing Constellation Brands – the largest producer of wines in the world – was on hand to explain why California wines need to be prominent on wine lists in Jamaica. She reminded the audience that the majority of stay-over tourists to our shores were from the USA and Americans prefer to drink American wines. Brand recognition and trust is a very important factor in their wine-buying decision while at the dining table. There are California wines in our market at all price points, so choices do exist for all market segments. Shari completed her presentation with an appeal for better wine list designs, more food and wine-pairing programmes, and for us to create a buzz on the not-so-popular varietals like Pinot Noir and Zinfandel.

Wine importers Caribbean Producers, Lascelles Wines and Spirits, Wray & Nephew and 1876 Wines were on hand pouring a wonderful range of California wines from producers like Kendall Jackson, Gallo, Clos Du Bois, Delicato and Bogle.

Cheers! Now go forth and try a few new wines. Please send your wine stories, comments and questions to creckord@gmail.com . DeVine Wine Services is operated by Chris and Kerri-Anne Reckord and its mission is to improve wine appreciation through wine education and events. Both are members of the Society of Wine Educators and the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs. If you are interested in attending our monthly wine parties, send us an email.