5 Cork companies feature in Bord Bia/Tesco programme

A press release from Bord Bia

Bord Bia and Tesco Assist Companies to Grow at Retail Level

~ Five Cork companies to take part in retail programme for Irish food and drink companies ~

Pictured at the launch in Bord Bia’s Dublin headquarters were Aidan Cotter, Chief Executive, Bord Bia, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney T.D. and Maxine Hyde, Ballymaloe Country Relish.

4^th April 2012 Bord Bia and Tesco have developed a programme, to help food and drink companies to develop the required skills to achieve sustainable growth at multiple retail level. At the launch today, in Bord Bia’s Dublin headquarters, the participating companies were joined by Bord Bia and Tesco representatives.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD who was in attendance, added, ‘I am pleased to be launching this programme, this form of cooperation is something which will drive this sector forward both at home and abroad. Tesco plays a large part in the current retail environment and so it is essential to work together.’

Pictured at the launch in Bord Bia’s Dublin headquarters were Sergio Furno, Cashel Blue, Co. Tipperary, Gillian Swaine, Bord Bia, Carmel-Anne Brennan, Tesco and Cullen Allen, Cully & Sully in Shanagarry.

This comprehensive retail programme will equip participants with the necessary skills required to secure, grow and maintain a listing with Tesco. The programme will involve three different levels Local, National and Export to assist small, medium and large sized companies in growing to the next level of business with Tesco. This programme will be supported by Enterprise Ireland.

Pictured at the launch in Bord Bia’s Dublin headquarters were Scott Baigent, Eight Degrees Brewing based in Mitchelstown, Jacqueline O’Neill, Tesco, Gillian Swaine, Bord Bia, and Tadhg O’Donovan from Glenilen in Drimoleague.

Aidan Cotter, Chief Executive, Bord Bia stated at the launch, ‘The Irish food industry is experiencing strong growth in export markets yet the domestic market remains challenging, with spending under pressure and consumers searching for value.  Based on Eurostat data, food prices in Ireland today are just 3 to 4 per cent above their level of seven years ago.  By comparison, in the euro area as a whole they have grown by 15%, and in the UK by as much as 35%, a period moreover of strong commodity price inflation.   It is vital in this environment that Irish food and drink companies work with the retail sector to build their competitiveness on the domestic and export markets alike. This programme with Tesco is designed to arm the participating companies with the insight required to have success at home and the opportunity to expand abroad.’

Sixteen companies covering the dairy, seafood, ready meals, beverage, frozen and ambient sectors have been selected to participate on the programme. Amongst those partaking are five Cork companies; Ballymaloe Country Relish, Cully & Sully, Glenilen, Green Saffron and Eight Degrees Brewing. Clear objectives and targets will be set for each company partaking to help them achieve key opportunities identified for their business with Tesco. The programme will consist of workshops, bespoke mentoring and access to relevant Tesco consumer data and consumer insights.

Tony Keohane, CEO, Tesco Ireland said, ‘At Tesco, we are long and committed supporters of the Irish food industry. Today’s initiative continues our desire to source local products, particularly fresh foods, which have always been a key part of our strategy and a cornerstone of our business. We hope that as many as possible of the programme participants will grow with us to become Ireland’s next generation of food entrepreneurs and exporters.’

The Irish Retail Market

The Irish grocery market is valued at €8.8 billion. The latest figures from Kantar Worldpanel in Ireland, for the 12 weeks ending 18^th March 2012, show the grocery market has slid back into decline following four months of modest sales growth. The latest data show that the sector has fallen in value by 0.5% when compared with the same period last year. Shoppers, according to Kantar, are continuing to look for ways to control their spending.  This is reflected in growing pressure on branded items, which have seen a drop in market share from 54.1% to 52.9% in the past year. The Irish retail market is increasingly competitive with new format development, technological advances, such as contactless payments and private label all impacting on its development.

PICPOUL HEAD TO HEAD

PICPOUL HEAD TO HEAD


Domaine Reine Juliette, Terres Rouges, Picpoul de Pinet, Languedoc 2010, 13.5%, €12.00 Bubble Brothers, 3 stars


Colour is of light honey and it has a moderately aromatic nose. Not a major impression on the palate but quite a friendly one, more of a purr, less of a bark. It has a nice lively acidity with thirst quenching fruit.

While the acidity is sharp it never gets anywhere the point where you feel you might as well be sipping a Citron Pressé. If you want something to go with your mussels or oysters (and there are a lot of months with “r” coming up) this is a banker.


 

Les Costières de Pomerols, Picpoul de Pinet, Languedoc 2010, 12.5%, €7.00 Tesco, 4 stars.


Colour and nose is much the same as the previous Picpoul. The acidity is still there but this is definitely more flavoursome, more rounded.

There will always, it seems, be arguments about Tesco’s pricing policy in the drinks department but nor argument that their buyers have come up with a good one here, underlined by the fact that Decanter gave it their Regional Trophy (Languedoc –Roussillon) for a white at under ten UK pounds.

Some differences

A – Closure is artificial cork on Bubble’s, screw-cap on the Tesco.

B- Alcohol is 13.5% in Bubble, 12.5% in the Tesco bottle.

C- The Tesco price is €7.00, Bubbles €12.00

THREE WINNING WINES

McWilliams Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon 2005, Hunter Valley Australia, 12%, €10.00 Tesco, 4.5 stars
Colour: light gold, bright, micro bubbles
Nose: Citrus rind.
Palate: Full fruity tropical smooth waxy mouthfeel yet well balanced. The Hunter is famous for Semillon and this is a fantastic example where the patient aging in the bottle has paid off in a big way. No wonder that it comes with a bunch of gold medals! You may read much more about this prize-winning wine here. 

OGIO Primitivo IGP Puglia Italy 2010, 13%, €6 Tesco, 4 stars
Colour: Ruby red
Nose: Intense, mainly cherry
Palate: Rich and fruity, warm, hints of spice. With the tannins doing their job, it is an engaging mouthfeel plus it has a long lingering finish. Quite a hefty drink from the heel of Italy and recommended on Twitter by Tom Doorley.

Tagus Creek Shiraz and Trincadeira, Alentejano 2009, 14%, €8.69 Tesco, 4 stars 
Colour: Medium dark-red
Nose: Aromatic, ripe red/black fruits
Palate: Fruity and juicy, spicy and warm, yet pleasantly dry. It is supple with a comforting mouthfeel and finish.
Decanter recently awarded this its international trophy for a Red Blend at less than 10 UK pounds "Deliciously good value. Fantastic." They said. And the judges were also impressed by its freshness.
Tongue in cheek, I'm glad to say the judges agreed with me. Now, I'll get the tongue out of the way to make room for another mouthful of delicious Tagus Creek.

GOOD IRISH FOOD AND FINE WINE AT TESCO

GOOD IRISH FOOD AND FINE WINE AT TESCO

All the supermarkets are basking in reflected glory after the recent announcement of the Blás Na hÉireann Awards in Dingle. Dunne’s Store, Lidl, Aldi, Supervalu and even Superquinn had winners on sale across the board. Tesco’s own brands won a silver for their Irish Yogurt (Finest Madagascan Vanilla Yogurt for Tesco).

But Tesco also have other Blas winners on their shelves as I found out when I visited their Mahon store yesterday, on a quest for good Irish food and fine wines. The award winners I spotted – there could well have been more – were Folláins jams and Butlers chocolates.

It is a tough market out there for Irish produce and these awards sure help lift the profile. The fight to win shelf space is ongoing, particularly for our chocalatiers, and I have seen, both in the English Market and on the Tesco shelves yesterday, how hard it is for them.

Butler’s, in fairness, have a good presence but it is difficult to spot other Irish produce in the inviting display. So I was glad to see the capital Á, in a Gaelic type script. Checked it out and sure enough the Áine choc bars came from Cavan, from the multi-award winning Áine’s Chocolate in Stradone Village www.chocolates.ie

Treated myself to two bars, in the cause of research of course, at 2.50 each. Only one has been tested so far and that is Áine Or. This 33% milk chocolate 100 gram bar is set to make friends everywhere. It has a smooth creamy almost caramel like centre but it is all chocolate, all gorgeous, and indulgent. Looking forward to sampling the other one, a Lime Zest in 70% Dark Chocolate.

Glenilen Yoghurts didn't feature in the Dingle prizes but they are still my favourite and we picked up a big pot of the Raspberry one from €2.25. Lots of soups and readymade meals from Irish makers including Cully & Sully and Taste a Memory. Delighted too to see the Just Food range there and popped their Minestrone Soup and Spicy Lentil Soup into the trolley.

Hunter Valley

Then I turned my attention to the wine area where Wine Festival banners were hung and many reductions trumpeted. I had a shortlist and got the four I was after, some at a reduced price.

The List:

1-    Tagus Creek, Shiraz and Trincadeira, Alentejano, Portugal 2010, €8.69;

2-    Tingleup Vineyard Riesling, Great Southern, Western Australia 2010, €11.99;

3-    McWilliams Mt Pleasant Cellar Release, Elizabeth, Semillon, Hunter Valley, NSW 2006, €10.00;

4-    Coteaux du Languedoc, Picpoul de Pinet 2010, €7.00.

Their Ogio Primitivo had been recommended by Tom Doorley on Twitter and I bought a bottle for 6 euro and then there was an impulse buy (isn’t there always) a Vinea Reserva Tempranillo, Cigales 2005, reduced to €8.00.

Looking forward to trying out that lot.

TESCO IN MAHON POINT

The major supermarket chains are often portrayed as the big bad wolves of the food industry.

Is it all bad? I know the Bridgestone Irish Food Guide editorial came down on them like a pack of Dutch defenders in the ninth edition. But the products of many of the food producers lavishly praised by Bridgestone are to be seen in the major supermarkets.

Tesco spend two billion (their own figure) on Irish food and drink each year, including everything from salads to Angus Beef. Quite a lot of organic produce on display there also.

I recently filled a trolley at Tesco’s Mahon shop, including a few of those gorgeous yoghurts from Glenilen Farm in West Cork, and that was after a buying quite a  bit at the weekly Farmers Market outside.

I understand, from some producers, that Good Food customers, especially organic fans, stay loyal in the downturn and are prepared to pay a small premium to keep getting their favourite foods but who can blame the busy financially challenged houseperson doing the weekly shopping (say for two adults and two plus kids) from taking advantage of the choices and prices at places like Tesco.

Tesco Ireland in Mahon Point

TESCO
Tesco at Mahon Point is one of the biggest supermarkets in the county. Aside from the clothing and electrical departments, the choice in food is staggering.
Take Balsamic Vinegar for instance; prices here ranged from one euro to close to twelve for aged varieties.
Range of wine too is impressive. Got a couple of bottles, including a Tarrango by Brown Brothers for old time’s sake. This unusual variety, which I first came across a few years ago when the brothers (sisters actually) came to town to show off their produce.
It is a red that may be chilled. Liked it then and no reason why I shouldn't like it now, especially that the price has been cut.

Check out my review of Tesco Ireland - I am cork - on Qype