The limits of importers' imaginations

I continue with reference to I Clivi, a favorite producer from Friuli. 

They told me a story about an American importer, whose semi-famous name shall be omitted, who ordered a grand total of 50 cases of 12 from I Clivi, sold 20 and...demanded a refund for the 30 unsold.  This was in New York, the biggest single wine market in the United States.  I can testify, we drink a lot of wine in New York.  Just in this household of two, for example, we could keep the wine production of Slovenia afloat.  If we actually drank Slovenian wines.

Anyway.

My observations are that:

1. This importer wasn't trying.  His focus is France, and he doesn't much care about Italia.  You have to focus and you have to have a human connection with your producers.  From all accounts, there was no focus and absolutely no connection with the Zanussos.*

2. The wines still have appeal. Ferdinando Zanusso told me that two Boston ladies who import I Clivi wines to their area buy a rather impressive number of cases -- many many multiples of the New York importer.  And they sell all of it.  Obviously, they care about and believe in the wines.  They're enterprising enough to find the rights stores and restaurants for them.  And they follow through.  Bravissime.

Ferdinando pours in exotic Newton Lower Falls, Mass.  Intrepid.
(Photo purloined from the wine bloviatrix)

* I love them!  They subscribe to L'Unita'!

Comments

[Sharon]

Thanks for referring to my blog. The i Clivi wines are wonderful examples of Friuli native grapes vinified with minimal modern machinations, with delicious results. I hope the Zanussos find another importer in NY. Maybe the current one is a Republican?

[th]

Hey Sharon, thanks for stopping by.

They have a NY area importer now. A new one, I mean. I hear it's going pretty well with them.

[Lisa Qiu]

Pfffft, forget what country he's representing, he's hottttttt

[Fredric Koeppel]

Lisa strikes to the heart of the matter!