Harvesting the years of sunshine

YOUNG, smart, articulate, Michelle Terry proudly describes herself as a ”brand nerd”. Since joining the corporate world in the mid 1990s as a graduate at Anderson Consulting, her working life has revolved around brands of some description, face creams, beer, gifts, homewares, she’s done it all – and now it’s wine.
Her extensive CV in brand strategy – stretching more than 15 years and including a stint at British retailer Marks & Spencer – should serve her well. These days selling wines is as much about selling a lifestyle or a category than the grapes themselves and, while all wines want to be a brand, many are just a label.
”I get very passionate about whatever I am working on, I just like creating things and thinking about how they will impact a consumer’s life, creating growth plans and then watching them deliver.
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”Thinking about new ways to deliver innovation, can happen in financial services as well as wine.”
As the new managing director at Lindeman’s, Terry reports directly to Treasury Wines Estates boss David Dearie, and is responsible for the juggernaut wine brand as well as the other giant in the former wine portfolio owned by Foster’s, sparkling wine Yellowglen.
Under the new organisational structure put in place by Dearie last year, Terry is also responsible for several smaller labels – Great Western, Devil’s Lair, Fifth Leg and Rothbury.But it is Lindeman’s and Yellowglen that will take up most of her attention and time.
Unlike some wine reviewers, and many wine snobs, Terry does not run away or retreat in horror from the ”sunshine in a bottle” tag that has become synonymous with Australian wine, especially chardonnay, and which has made Australian wine so popular with US and British drinkers.
”I think the consumer is looking for that, sunshine in a bottle, and that’s part of the reason for them coming back to great quality Australian wine, which is led by Lindeman’s,” Terry says.
She views it as a handy way of engaging consumers, and once they have the Lindeman’s portfolio before them, sell them other styles and varieties that are a world away from what drinkers may have downed in the 1970s and 1980s.
”My mandate is to make sure we keep on delivering on that, and we keep on growing, expanding into new markets and think about what else can the brand offer. Because it is an incredibly trusted brand and people will move into other parts of the brand if you introduce them, and other propositions.”
And she has big plans for Lindeman’s. On the cards is a launch in the US of its new Early Harvest label over the next 12 months, a new variety of wine that could be a big hit with people who like to watch their weight and their calories.
Early Harvest is a growing collection of reds, whites and sparkling – seven styles in all – that use flavour ripe grapes harvested from early ripening regions in south-eastern Australia to produce a wine that is 25 per cent lighter in alcohol and calories.
Early Harvest has been a huge hit in Australia since it was launched five years ago, and is appealing especially to an older demographic that enjoys drinking wine but also wants to keep an eye on the waistline – and are less enthusiastic about a hangover the next day.
”The core demographic is 40-plus and people looking to have a full lifestyle. They talk about it as a benefit of being lighter, and there are also people who buy it quite frankly because they are calorie counters.”
Terry, who recently took up marathon running and completed her first half-marathon, has big hopes for Early Harvest in the US, where lighter alcoholic beverages are making a huge splash, such as the Skinnygirl range of cocktails which is backed by a reality TV star and are proving amazingly popular.
”It’s a macro trend in general,” says Terry, ”and we have seen it in adjacent categories. For example, like those who lean more to better organic food stuffs; and in the beer market, that’s where the inspiration comes from. Consumers do say, ‘I like to look after myself’.
”And I think there are enough similarities and macro trends between places like the US and the UK that will see that, again, Skinnygirl margarita for example is going nuts in the US, it’s a phenomenon, so there is definitely a category fit play, certainly an industry there.”
And it seems it is not only in America that people, especially female drinkers, are trending towards lighter alcoholic beverages. The fad is also gaining traction in the biggest market of them all – China.
”This is a global trend. It’s interesting. I’ve been digging into this thinking about where we take this, and you can even move into markets like China. There has been market research in China and a survey showed one-third of them are looking for a lighter alcohol product; so I think there is enormous potential in this range.”
But before China there is the US. Lindeman’s has form when it comes to the US. It’s actually an unlikely star in America, unlikely because here Lindeman’s is typically the wine you get at a wedding along with a choice of chicken or beef, and is priced near the bottom of the totem pole at wine stores.
But its performance in North America and the nordic countries has seen it shine of late. For the first half of 2011-12, when Treasury Wine Estates saw declining wine volumes in the Americas, its Lindeman’s labels had double-digit growth, recording volume increases of just under 15 per cent. In March Lindeman’s grew more than 17 per cent and in the past 13 weeks more than 10 per cent.
Its pricing in the Americas ranges from $4.99 for the bottom end of the label to much higher, especially for its popular Bin range and some of its premium wines.
”The centre of gravity is in the heartland of our Bin series and people think it’s fantastic value for money, great everyday wine with good consistency and character. We are very pleased with that position in the market and the fact is it continues to grow.”
Interestingly, Terry, a Queensland girl who now calls Melbourne home, says the Lindeman’s range is ”significantly beating” Yellow Tail, owned by Casella, the incredibly popular family-owned wine group from Griffith in New South Wales which exploded from nowhere more than 10 years ago and is now the biggest-selling imported wine in the US.
It’s not just in the US that Lindeman’s pricing and flavour profile have hit a chord with customers. Lindeman’s chardonnay is the No.1 selling chardonnay in Canada, it’s pinot grigio is No.1 in the Netherlands, while other wines are top selling in Scandinavia.
Although Lindeman’s takes up a lot of her time, Terry is also responsible for Yellowglen, a wine empire within itself, with a 19 per cent share of the sparkling wine market in Australia and one of the country’s most recognised brands.
Yellowglen, like other sparkling wines, has come under intense competition from Champagne over the past two years as the strong Australian dollar and an oversupply of Champagne in North America and Europe has seen the real French bubbly flood into Australia, and at record low prices.
With Champagne prices for well recognised, sometimes premium, brands falling by more than 25 per cent, some drinkers have switched allegiance from Aussie sparkling to the French original.
”Yes, there certainly is competitive pressure coming from Champagne. But the good thing about Yellowglen is that it’s an enormous powerhouse brand here in terms of relative market share,” says Terry.
In fact, Yellowglen’s value as a percentage share of total bottled wine is 3.8 per cent making it the No.2 brand in bottled wine in Australia, behind Jacob’s Creek.
”It’s very important for us to defend our space as Australia’s leading sparkling house.”
She has plenty of time to mull over her strategic plans for the key wine arm of Treasury Wine Estates, and pounding the pavement during her marathon training is a great time for reflection – not to mention the rigour of vigorous competition.
”You always see people zooming past you like gazelles, and you think, ‘how do they do that?’ I was just happy to finish [my first half-marathon] and want to keep that up.”

http://www.businessday.com.au/business/harvesting-the-years-of-sunshine-20120525-1za8y.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Clark Wine Center is lauded by wine and food lovers from Manila and tourists from abroad as the best place to buy wine in Pampanga or Subic or Tarlac. Wine lovers from Manila as well as visitors to Clark Philippines from Asian cities visit this famous wine shop in Pampanga to buy vintage wines to enjoy here in the Philippines or bring some back home with them when they leave Pampanga.

Recent opinion survey of frequent travelers heading north towards Subic and Clark Pampanga revealed that the number one most frequently visited wine shop in Pampanga is Clark Wine Center located in Clark Philippines. Reasons given include good selection of fine vintage as well as affordable wines for everyday drinking also. This wine shop also has a beautiful roof deck lawn which serves as a nice venue for outdoor alfresco dining, cocktail parties and small functions and events. There are five large wine cellars that contain some of the world’s finest wines and rare vintages as well as wines that are excellent value that every wine shoppers love to discover. This wine shop in Clark is frequently visited not only by local residents but also tourists arriving in the Philippines looking to pick up a few bottles of good wine that are not normally available in their home town.

Subic is well known for diving, the sea and water sports that come with the territory. However one thing that Subic is not famous for is dining options. For years, visitors to Subic have complained about the quality of the restaurants and dining establishments but it is only until recently that travelers to Subic discovered the best restaurant to wine and dine, even for visitors with families and children. Now most residents of Subic and also Tarlac and Baguio know of this wine shop in Clark as the best place to buy wines in the Philippines and certainly the best wine shop in Pampanga, Angeles City, Clark Philippines.

Clark Wine Center was built in 2003 by Hong Kong-based Yats International Leisure Philippines to become the largest wine shop in Philippines supplying Asia’s wine lovers with fine vintage wines at attractive prices. Today, this wine shop in Clark Philippines offers over 2000 selections of fine wines from all major wine regions in the world. As a leading wine supplier in Philippines, Pampanga’s Clark Wine Center offers an incomparable breadth of vintages, wines from back vintages spanning over 50 years. Clark Wine Center is located in Pampanga Clark Freeport Zone adjacent to Angeles City, just 25 minutes from Subic and 45 minutes from Manila.

Wines from Burgundy, Bordeaux, Rhone, Loire, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Alsace, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, South Africa, Chile and Argentina etc. are well represented in this Clark Wine Shop.

The next time you are in Pampanga and are looking for things to do in Clark Philippines spend some time to do a little wine shopping at the most famous wine shop outside of Manila called Clark Wine Center. One of the favorite places to visit in Pampanga Clark Freeport is the white building along M A Roxas highway of Clark which houses over 2000 selections of fine vintage wines. The Clark Wine Center is one of the places to visit, a tourist spot and a good shopping place for those staying in Angeles City, Subic or Clark Pampanga.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.

Click here to contact Clark Wine Center in Clark Pampanga for inquiries and orders.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023

Tel: 0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Road, Ortigas Centger,
Metro Manila, Philippines 1605

Tel: (632) 637-5019 0917-540-3626 ask for Rea or Chay

Log on to this web site for more information about Yats Wine Cellars as the leading wine importer and wine supplier in the Philippines:

ats Wine Cellars Leading Wine Supplier in Philippines

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

Yats Leisure Philippines

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. Highly recommended fine dining restaurant in Manila for special occasion is Yats Restaurant & Wine Lounge located in the famous Mimosa Leisure Estate in Clark Pampanga. Situated near this popular restaurant in Clark is the Mimosa Golf Course as well as the Mimosa Clark Casino. This top rated restaurant near Angeles City Pampanga in Clark Philippines is frequently used for private parties and corporate functions such as board meetings and other gatherings. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

Besides good restaurants to wine and dine near Manila, Subic or in Angeles City Pampanga, Clark Philippines, those requiring assistance for hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines may log on to http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com for more information and reservations.

The lifestyle in Clark Pampanga is quite unique. For more information about shopping, sports, golf, leisure, hotel accommodation, where to see and visit, what to do, where to wine and dine and good places to hang out, relax, have a drink with friends, child-friendly establishments, log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

Wine lovers looking for a special bottle or something that is of great value and special discounts might log on to this web site to shop for fine vintage wines
http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

Those visitors who plan to relax and unwind in Angeles City, Subic, Pampanga, Clark Philippines might make an effort to book a room at the famous beach and lake resort Clearwater Resort & Country Club. This famous hotel in Clark Pampanga is frequently visited by families with children looking for a good place in Clark to see, a good holiday destination for the family to relax and unwind in the beautiful outdoor facilities. For more information, log on to www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Buy wine in Pampanga, Philippines at good wine shops and boutique wine stores that offer good selection of good vintage wines at all price points.
Good white wines that available at the wine shops in Manila and Pampanga include Puligny Montrachet, Chassagne Montrachet, Pouilly Fuisse, Corton Charlemagne, Montrachet, Batard Montrachet and Beaune. This makes it easy and convenient for wine lovers to buy wine in Manila. They are also great wines to include in wine gift baskets for delivery in the Philippines.
Manila wine and food lovers looking for things to do in Pampanga and Manila can consider attending one of these wine events. The best way to learn more about wine in the Philippines is to attend public wine tasting events that have no sponsors. These wine tasting events held by Yats are non-commercial. Yats Wine Cellars does not promote a specific winery, producer or a brand. These wine tastings and wine dinners held in Manila and Pampanga are all designed to let wine lovers explore more interesting aspects of wine.

Buy wine in Fort Global City, Metro Manila, Philippines at good wine shops and boutique wine stores that offer good selection of good vintage wines at all price points
Wine lovers in Philippines can find good wines from France in wine shops in Manila and Pampanga. Among the good selections of French red wines from Burgundy are Domaine de La Romanee Conti or DRC, Chambertin, Pommard, Clos de Vougeot, Domaine Leroy, Bonnes Mares, La Tache, Vosne Romanee, Echeazeaux, Romanee St. Vivant, Volnay, Morey St. Denis, Nuits St. Georges. This makes it easy and convenient for wine lovers to buy wine in Manila. They are also great wines to include in wine gift baskets for delivery in the Philippines. Some of the wines from this wine supplier are very good as wines for giveaway in Philippines.

If you are thinking of buying wines to give as gift in the Philippines, then contact Yats Wine Cellars now because they offer special vintage wines suitable as gift at all price points. Since most of these wines are not available in Manila, these wine gifts are excellent choices for corporate gifts as well as wine gifts for personal and social purposes. These can be wines or wine baskets.