Great mysteries of wine

...Like, for example, why some really wonderful, captivating wines have a hard time finding their market.  

It's perplexing to any importer who knows the wine in question is excellent, a prime exemplar of grape, region, natural expression, etc. You love the wine, you esteem the winemaker, you want them to enjoy success and esteem from the wider world, and -- nothing much happens. 

You flog it, have a hundred, 500 people taste it and -- what, they don't get it? They opt for something no less expensive but safer, is that it? 

You may sell a case or two here and there, but -- what's going on?

Domenico Selections has two such wines, both beauties from Campania. One is Raffaele Boccella's Aglianico "Rasott" from the Campi Taurasini (a fairly new appellation for wines not given the time in wood of the grand Taurasis.) The other is Reale's Cardamone, a fascinating and delicious blend of Tintore and Piedirosso.

I wonder: are we ahead of the curve? Are we clueless? 

No. I'll tell you straight out that we know what we're doing with these vini italiani.

I think part of it is an appellation problem. It's one thing to have a bottle labeled "DOC Campi Taurasini" and another to have one tagged "Taurasi". "Oh, Taurasi!" they say. "I know that one!"  Well, I guess we're partway there.

It takes time, Grasshopper.

Comments

[TomasoArmento]

I can tell you the same happen in the Italian market.

New producers are not very welcome by both restaurateurs and wine shops, besides the quality of their wines it is actually very hard to even get an appointment for a trial tasting.

I got different explanations, the most common is “Interesting wine, but each time it is served it’ll probably need someone to present it. It takes time. Mmmh, I’m not sure there is a market for it.”, and just after that, they just reorder what I personally renamed “the self shelvers”.

Wrong? Well, you know what? I’m still looking for the right answer...

[michele colline]

Either it's too expensive for something "new" or you haven't found the right people to present it to.

[Strappo]

I suspect a bit of both, at least with regard to the Reale Cardamone. They are both getting more interest from retailers outside this area. Go figure.

[Strappo]

@ Tommaso -- I think there is always resistance to something new, especially when the economy is weak. People tend to be more reluctant to take any chances. I understand the impulse although it frustrates the hell out of me.