Until a few years ago, the majority of Dutch catering establishments offered a small-scale range of wines with little choice. Nowadays, more and more house wines, open wines, wine explanation at the table, wine food advice and exciting wines from relatively unknown wine countries or areas are offered. In short, a development has been underway for some time that contributes to surprising the guests.
As a result of these developments, wine trends are increasingly emerging. Some trends only last for a year or a season, other trends are able to settle in the world of the wine lover. This poses challenges for the catering entrepreneur. The catering entrepreneur is looking for special wines with a special price-quality ratio, wines with a special story and surprisingly beautiful wines from unknown wine countries to continue to surprise its guests.
I would like to encourage the catering entrepreneur to seize opportunities to add exciting, unknown wines from lesser-known wine countries and regions to their range. Think for example of native Portuguese grape varieties or a Gruner Sylvaner trocken from Germany. Dare to distinguish yourself from your colleagues, taste the wines in combination with dishes and experience the wine by exposing all your senses to the wine. In this way you will find the right wines that perfectly match dishes and/or menus. Afterwards, a short, concise explanation at the table should of course not be missing.
Take on the challenge and surprise your guests!
Sanne Schilstra
Sales Manager Dikers wine trade Groningen
Sanne has been a sommelier for many years in the top catering industry in the north of the Netherlands, is a catering expert and has an immeasurable passion for wine and hospitality. Sanne will write a monthly column for Horeca Groningen.