Majestic, the UK’s largest specialist wine retailer, has reported a jump in organic wine sales and predicted a further spike in demand for the category in the coming years as consumers switch to wines with environmentally friendly credentials.
Ahead of Organic September, Majestic said sales of its organic wines climbed 22% in the first five months of its financial year, compared to the same period a year ago. Due to the rising popularity of organic wines, Majestic has increased the depth of its core organic range from 50 to 67 wines to help meet the needs of retail customers and on-trade partners increasingly seeking planet-friendly products.
As a result of those shifting behaviours, Majestic predicts that sales of its organic wines will double across the next three years.
Majestic Chief Operating Officer Rob Cooke said: “We listen to our customers every day and know that demand for organic wines – both from people shopping in our stores and from our portfolio of on-trade partners – is growing at pace. Attitudes are clearly changing as consumers make more planet-friendly purchases. We’ve already seen a huge uplift in organic sales, and that’s a trend we believe will continue in the years to come. Our mission at Majestic is to help our customers discover and buy wines they will love, and so we need to invest in the right products at the right time to deliver on that pledge.”
In addition to growing the organic range, Majestic’s award-winning buying team is also stepping up efforts to make its proposition more accessible and environmentally friendly. Its Chosen By Majestic range, for instance, launched with 11 new wines June – all of which are suitable for vegans. Many of the suppliers Majestic works with already place huge focus on sustainable winemaking practices, or are undergoing organic conversion.
Provence Rosé is Majestic’s best-selling organic category, with many producers such as Peyrassol and Château de Berne undertaking organic conversion at their vineyards and looking into more sustainable farming practices.
Peyrassol ‘Reserve du Templiers’ is Majestic’s best-selling organic product. Other products flying off the shelves include the alcohol-free ‘Noughty 0% Organic Sparkling Chardonnay’, sales of which have rocketed 116% year-on-year. Following its success, Majestic brought Noughty’s Sparkling Rosé into the range earlier this month.
Exciting new additions to Majestic’s organic range include:
Peyrassol ‘Les Commandeurs’ Rosé, 2022 – £15.99 Mix Six / £17.99 Single Bottle
Established in the 13th century by the Knights Templar, Peyrassol now makes some of the finest rosé in Provence. This is their second wine – and their bestselling rosé globally. It’s a true reflection of the estate’s commitment to quality, which sees them select the best terroirs and grapes to craft their signature style. 2022 marks the first vintage to be certified organic – as all Peyrassol’s wines will be going forwards.
Piccini ‘Histrio’ Organic Anfora Toscana Bianco, 2022 – £9.99 Mix Six / £11.99 Single Bottle
Piccini is one of Italy’s most dynamic and innovative producers. Now in their fourth generation of family ownership, they have over 140 years of expertise behind them. Their roots lie in Tuscany – and today they’re considered one of the region’s leading wineries. This aromatic white blend combines two traditional Tuscan grape varieties, Vermentino and Malvasia. It spends seven weeks maturing in special clay amphorae, which gives it an elegant texture while still allowing the fruit flavours to take centre stage.
Château des Ravatys Côte de Brouilly, 2021 – £13.99 Mix Six / £15.99 Single Bottle
Château des Ravatys has been producing wines in Côte de Brouilly since 1850, building a stellar reputation. Today, the wines are made by Aurélie de Vermont, who comes from a long line of Beaujolais winemakers. She crafts this limited-quantity bottling from organic Gamay vines that have an average age of 40 years – meaning low yields, but fantastically concentrated favours.
