Post by Chelsea Vintners

Senior buyer, private client specialist, and intrepid traveller Hamish Greening headed out to the East Coast for a few days to soak up two very different (but equally enjoyable) vinous atmospheres. In his latest 'Letter from America' he explores the current wine climate in the US - if you've been out there recently, or indeed if you're based over there and taking part in the fine wine scene, we'd love to hear your thoughts! "As is always the case, while the Brits are often caught sulking about ‘the state of affairs’, the Americans are pushing ahead and enjoying every minute of life as it comes. This is particularly true in the world of wine: domestic anxieties about another struggling Bordeaux EP campaign, a faltering mid-market for high production fine wines, and the challenging times faced by many wine merchants, seem not to have manifested across the pond. Even tariffs seem like old news. “Give me a price, I’ll decide” is the reliable reply – a reminder that even a 10% levy and the costs of shipping are still typically less than the 20% VAT paid in the U.K. or much of Europe. Additionally America’s complex domestic system of tiered imports and distribution often sees several layers of margin added that can be circumvented by purchasing overseas. "Appetite for exceptional wine is, at least to my eyes, as high as ever. The dining scenes in both New York and Miami are thriving; the concept of corkage is slowly becoming more acceptable at top establishments and the London culture of members’ clubs is spreading with gusto." Read more here... https://lnkd.in/ebR5MN9S