Firm importing affordable wines

Farsons Group has set up the Trident Wine Company to market imported wines.

The wines are imported from different regions at a very affordable price ranging from 95c to Lm1.85 per bottle, Trident managing director Anthony Tabone said at the launch yesterday.

Wines imported by Trident at this stage come from France, Argentina, Chile and Spain.

Compass Point and Villa Tritone are the first two Private Label Wines (PLW) introduced to Malta by the company.

Mr Tabone said PLW were becoming very popular around the world as they offered the opportunity for companies to purchase only the best vintage from any particular region. They allowed for even more control on the quality and style of wine as grape suppliers knew they had no other option but to provide private label wine companies with their very best products.

Trident has been created as a separate entity. Wands Ltd and Anthony Caruana & Sons, two other Farsons subsidiaries, have been importing fine wines for many years.

Trident would be carrying out a different type of business. "We now have our own wine buyers who search from among the best varieties and vintages from a number of regions.

"Our task is to provide the Maltese consumer and tourists good value for quality wine at attractive prices," he said. Both Villa Tritone and Compass Point are registered trademarks.

Mr Tabone said one of the benefits of Malta's entry in the EU was for the consumer to have a wider choice both in terms of quality and price. "We are aiming to do just that."

Trident Wine Company has appointed Howard Price as its wines development manager. Mr Price has over 13 years of experience of wine buying and marketing for leading UK wine retailers.

The Compass Point range includes Colombard Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon Tempranillo, Cabarnet Savignon, Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc. It is also marketing a red and white form of Villa Tritone wine from Argentina.