Grey or parallel imported Champagne

[phillisc]

Krusty's enquiries re the champagne houses has got me thinking.

I hear a lot about if you were considering purchasing champagne (particularly the half dozen or so offerings that are flogged routinely by the large chains) be wary of grey imports.
I am planning to buy a few bottles of vintage and NV in the next few months for celebrations etc. and as this is an area where I am not overly confident, that what I plan to buy is; either the "real deal" or has not been sitting on the dock for an eternity.

Would appreciate if someone can spell out in simple terms what actually goes on here and apart from the details of the importer on the back label, how would I be any the wiser.
Perhaps I should just order from you Mike or our host here.

Cheers Craig.
ps. its been a tough year professionally and personally, but with studies nearly finished, a milestone bithday or two coming I feel like a bit of a treat.

[simon1980]

Craig,

As far as I see, it's a lottery. The more "promoted" by a retailer as some sort of "parcel" the more wary I would be. A retail buyer may just see a great cost price, and not worry too much about where it has come from...
However, I would expect official importers to be the best bet, maintaining a high quality supply chain.

I personally import a few cases (personal consumption) and always pay extra for a chilled container, and cooled trucks at either end. However, when somebody is chasing the cheapest price, this may not be done by an importer (it's not just the cost, but the cost of shipping is included in the landed price...so you get taxed on the shipping cost too).

I'd trust Gavin...as its likely he will be drinking a few of what he is selling!

Nothing better than a good bottle of Champagne after a tough time - enjoy!

simon1980

[phillisc]

Thanks Simon,
I initially felt that the post may have put people off (it was not intended as "meat in a tin") and yes Gavin stocks two of the wines that are routinely belted by the big boys.

I always have a little look when the ads come out and think, gee that seems cheap , but there is probably a reason for it.
Or is it actually ok and quite sound and can be put out as a loss leader?
On the one hand if I open a few bottles with friends and apart from the glass or two that I consume...does it really matter if it is not up to par...how would I know, don't have it often enough and two don't get to France that often!
I guess, apart from price, and this varies by nearly 100% or more, (so thats why a loss leader is tempting), surely an importer has to have some degree of integrity concerning the quality of the product and equally the producer..or perhaps once sold and on the boat who cares?

Think I will take a punt get a few and if they are as flat as a tack...then hopefully refund or replacement.

Cheers
Craig.

[Andy.L]

Hi Craig,

speaking from my personal experiences, if you do buy vintage from the 'big chains' keep the receipts, more often than not, I've returned countless 'off' champers to them.
Be prepared to stand your ground though, when the 'expert' from the big chains come and meet you, and taste the champagne...

Another suggestion is instead of going for 'big houses' like Dom, Krug etc, where the chance of it being of grey import and thus the quality of the champers, perhaps you can look into small growers. Somehow, with small growers champagne, I have never encountered bad bottles. Just my thoughts. Even better, to have piece of mind, buy from Gavin

Good luck

[Craig(NZ)]

i had the opportunity years ago to try a bottle of parallel imported tattinger next to traditionally distributed

chalk and cheese. id never buy parallel

[Red Bigot]

i had the opportunity years ago to try a bottle of parallel imported tattinger next to traditionally distributed

chalk and cheese. id never buy parallel

I bought some Laurent Perrier Brut LP from one of the wine daily-deal type places, very cheap price. The box had a Chinese agent/importers name on it.

I went to DM and bought a bottle with a local importer back label (there were some with Singapore back labels on the shelf as well).

Trying the two side by side was an eye-opener.
The L-P back label states "This elegant Champagne is memorable for its freshness and finesse"
One of these was, the other wasn't.


The Aus. back label smelt fresh and fruity and tasted fresh and bright, very enjoyable.

The xxxxxx batch had plenty of bubbles, but smelt flat and of aldehyde, it tasted comparatively flat and hard, lacking freshness and life.

I don't buy NV Champagne to cellar, I expect it to be fresh and have finesse for drinking now.

Guess which cork was from which bottle.

The cheap batch has gone back for a refund.

[phillisc]

Greetings all, and before anyone else gets in and its now Post Melbourne Cup... and the silly season kicks off, compliments of the season to you all.....Craig you must be joking

My letter box here in downtown Adelaide is thick with junk mail. My wife loves it....oh look at all the things we can buy...groan...crass commercialism and retailers over here want interest rates to be 1% so people start parting with their hard earned!

Which brings me back to this old thread...sorry.
What exactly is the go if i wish to get a few presents for people and I look at the big house NV Champers that sit between $33 and about 55.
All of these stores (read national chains here) all claim, we are the only importer of brand X.
Oh really when i show them an ad in the local paper of the same product.
They then profess not to "know" what parallel or grey importing is.

Anyway without getting our host upset or naming any brands are such bubblies worth buying. I guess it depends on stock turnover and how crazy the prices might get.
i have been looking on some UK sites and for the first time many NVs and indeed some vintage brands are actually cheaper here.
Over to the forum for some suggestions please.

Cheers Craig.

[phillisc]

Post-script to the above post.
For the first time I have seen a particular brand that I love drop below the magical $50 mark.
I am thinking too good to be true...but

Cheers
Craig.

[Mike Hawkins]

Maybe buy 1 bottle Craig and see how it is before buying in bulk?

Reading all this, I'm a bit concerned for some of the cases I've bought in Australia and had shipped directly to professional storage.....

[daver6]

As annoying as it is at the time, you can always return any wine that isn't up to scratch to the place of purchase.

If in doubt, speak to the manager before you pay and ask what their policy is.