Between live videos, online webinars and the e-apero craze, people are full of new ideas to occupy their days, if they can't keep up with their usual contacts. And in the evening, it's behind computer screens that family and friends meet up for a virtual toast. Everyone shares their homemade recipes, food pairings and finds of local produce: could this be a sign of a return to our roots, to the simple pleasure of 'eating and drinking well'?
A great opportunity to try out different food and wine pairings...
A variety of drinks with a less festive feel
Yes, but can you really say that you're bubbling among bubbles? Weddings, communions, Easter dinners, Labour Day, Mother's Day... everything has unfortunately been cancelled! Blame it on the Covid-19 pandemic and Europe's lockdown.
Admittedly, the mood in Belgium is not one for bubbly celebrations, but alcohol consumption is nevertheless on the rise. Le Soir magazine confirms that supermarkets are seeing increases in wine sales of up to 20% for sales in cubes. Could it be that consumers are stocking up to prepare for long evenings in the confines of their homes and turning them into enjoyable e-apéros?
As for the French, the increase in volume is not the same at the heart of supermarkets. Sales varied from one category to another. Certainly influenced by the particularly clement weather during these weeks of confinement and the emergence of virtual aperitifs, it was beer and rosé sales that showed clear increases, with +6.9% and +3.2% respectively, according to La Revue des Vins de France.
On the other hand, the mood is more gloomy, with a real freefall in sales of Champagne (-52.5% - survey from 13 to 29 March - LRVF) and sparkling wines (-28.8%). What if we changed our minds and combined bubbles together?
The bubbles are waiting for us...
Bubbling at home with beautiful bubbles to finally celebrate this moment of pause and self-reflection? The bubbles are waiting for us... Something tells me that we're impatiently waiting for the day when we hear the "pop" of the famous cork put under pressure by the bubbles. And let's talk about the pressure!
For some, the "pop" has already been launched at this somewhat strange time. Some are savouring the moment, getting back into the kitchen and creating food and wine pairings to liven up their daily lives, while others are innovating and fighting every day to save their businesses. What's more, the world of wine is showing its solidarity by offering home deliveries, online ordering and group purchasing, along with numerous sponsored adverts on social networks.
Domaine du Chant d'Eole, a recent Belgian winery whose 2014 Prestige cuvée was voted best bubble in the world 2019 at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles in Aigle (Switzerland), has adapted to the context:
"Following the cancellation of events planned at the estate (weddings, christenings, team building, seminars, etc.), a certain number of bottles became available.
So we offered our private customers and ambassadors the chance to order these bottles and have them delivered to their homes. This initiative has sparked real enthusiasm in the country for our 2017 cuvées! As a result, we are once again out of stock and are now launching pre-bookings for the 2018 Cuvée, which will be released in September," explains Martin Frise, who is in charge of Marketing and Communications at Le Chant d'Eole, in Quévy-le-Grand (Belgium).
So, are we bubbling?