Cask wine makes a comeback

By Amy Looker – editor, National Liquor News

Samuel Smith & Son has reported growth in the cask wine category for the first time in five years on the back of its two-litre The Winesmiths cask range.

The Winesmiths range, which includes four varietals, has helped grow the category by nearly two per cent since its launch in June 2013, making it the fastest growing two-litre cask wine brand by value according to marketing manager, Olivia Barrie.

“There is more confidence in the cask category than people think and that encourages us to push on and believe in what we’re seeing. The Winesmiths range is not what Mum and Dad drank, and we’re finding that people are excited about something new,” Barrie told TheShout. (continues below)

“The wine is good quality, it delivers, and people get what they pay for and a bit more. Giving a twist to this retro classic backed by improved wine quality, our own confidence to market it, and current recorded sales growth reassures us we’re making inroads with consumers at debunking the myth that casks are a lesser product.”

The apparent comeback of the cask coincides with the upcoming 50th anniversary of its invention in 1965 by Thomas Angove of South Australia’s Angove Family Winemakers.

Barrie also confirmed there would be a new addition to The Winesmiths range in late September, with a Sauvignon Blanc sourced from Riverland fruit joining the existing line up of Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Tempranillo and Shiraz.

“There’s more exciting news coming up, some fun retro activity planned with our competitors to mark the 50th anniversary,” Barrie revealed.

“It’s exciting the way the cask wine category is coming together to support that space and there is a lot to come next year.”