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2014 Review and Hopes and Fears for 2015: John McLaren

Published:  30 December, 2014

John McLaren, UK director of the Wine Institute of California, on how the UK has changed to become a fresh land of opportunity for Californian producers, how it's in a 'holding pattern' with grocers, and why he 'may scream' if he's told to 'engage with consumers' again.

Wine Institute of California's John McLarenWine Institute of California's John McLaren

John McLaren, UK director of the Wine Institute of California, on how the UK has changed to become a fresh land of opportunity for Californian producers, how it's in a 'holding pattern' with grocers, and why he 'may scream' if he's told to 'engage with consumers' again.

How was 2014?

A triumph in the restaurant sector, a muted triumph with the indies, and we established a holding pattern with the grocers. California proved it could be light on its loafers, and the 'New California' caught the headlines and the imagination.

Most significant events of 2014

I guess I should mention duty increases, blinkered anti-alcohol lobbyists, consolidation, bad Prosecco, the indies going off like a box of fireworks - eye-catchingly, but in all directions. The global recognition of California's sustainability programmes leading the way, not as a bolt-on, but as part of the fabric of winemaking culture. The hint of a change in the hierarchy of importers, with some exciting new challengers.

Opportunities for 2015

Many wineries were on the verge of giving up on the UK as no place to make a profit, but I now present it as a land of opportunity. The structure of the trade has changed and everyone (well, not quite everyone) is looking to express their individuality, and increasingly using California as a vehicle to do just that. We need more wineries to recognise all this in a more pragmatic way, and we need more importers to use their imaginations.

Biggest challenges in 2015

If anyone else tells me we should 'engage with the consumer', I may scream. As a trade we now know how many people are going to spend a decent amount of money on a bottle of wine, and the supermarkets are not going to help with that.  he sky will not fall in if we admit it. We are hopeless at communicating, but I noticed that when I entered the trade, and nothing has changed, so reminding us is not constructive. The greatest threat is the consumer losing interest. Oh, and Italian Primitivo pretending to be California Zin. Flattering maybe, but an unholy charade.

People to watch in 2015

For a variety of reasons we should probably keep an eye on Tesco, Robersons, Flint and about 700 independent retailers. And whatever emerges as the new steakhouse and the new Prosecco.

What am I doing for Christmas?

Relaxing with family and the finest wines known to man, cooking, music, looking for shops that sell batteries on Christmas Day.

Favourite tipple over the festive season?

My objectivity precludes me from naming names, but Pinot Noir from the western end of the US always seems to buddy up with turkey, and certain beers fill the gaps between ceremonial uncorkings.

Favourite Christmas film?

Bad Santa, or Amahl and the Night Visitors.

Ideal day out over Christmas?

Watching my son Toby play music, or my other son Finn play football.

What do you want from Father Christmas?

Peace on earth - or some peace and quiet, anyway.My daughter Kitty's front teeth.  Following an Achilles' problem, a return to the football field, maybe more as a mid-field holding player now...

New Year resolutions

There are some wineries which I'm determined to find homes for here (wake up, importers!), we need a new light for the front room, and I should probably be more patient with people who appear to be complete idiots.

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