“My preferred wine does not come from a particular brand,” he exclaimed as he raised his glass to a 2020 Vintage of Josh Cellars Rose. Be reminded that Jesus, his mother, and his disciples attended a wedding in the village of Cana. When the wine ran out at the feast, Jesus turned water into wine, highlighting the importance of never running out of good wine when hosting events, he chuckled. Yes, wines are that important to any soiree or get together all year round. Jamaica has seen a substantial rise in popularity of wine over the last decade, as more and more people will grab a bottle or two to add to their shopping carts when they shop at the leading supermarket chain stores across the island.
So, what is so great about wine and more importantly which one is ideal for you? BUZZZ Magazine caught up with Kemmar Lewis, the Regional Category Manager at Caribbean Producers Jamaica Limited (CPJ) to get all the necessary intel on the nectar of the gods. Lewis, who has been with CPJ for over a decade, shared that the conventional wine drinker does not subscribe to any one brand of wine, but more to a region or a ‘varietal of grape’. “There is a growing trend of Jamaicans enjoying more wines from the California region of Napa Valley and the Sonoma Coast. The consideration of region is important, as the soil, weather, elevation, growing practices et al, all determine the quality of the wine in the bottle.
As Lewis further explained, wines from the “Old World” i.e., wines from the traditional wine growing countries such as, France, Italy and Spain are typically more on the dryer side and higher in tannins than “New World” wines, wines from the USA, Chile, Argentina, South Africa and Australia. Regardless of where your favourite bottle originated, there are several benefits of wines that the average consumer may not be aware of and can be a big plus. In choosing a wine over a spirit, you are in effect choosing 11% alcohol per volume in comparison to a spirit that can get up to 63% + alcohol per volume. “There is a growing market for quality wines in Jamaica, as grapes possess more health benefits than grains. So, if you are health conscious you will appreciate all its added benefits. Indeed, some people say a glass of wine a day keeps the heart attack away.”
