Palestinian wines and beers are being made available to UK independent convenience retailers following the launch of a new online shop by specialist importer and distributor Nabeeth Wine & Spirits.
Founded by Palestinian chef and author Fadi Kattan and wine professional Anna Patrowicz, Nabeeth specialises in Palestinian wines and drinks, with its portfolio currently including wines from producers such as Cremisan, Taybeh, Ashkar and Jascala.
The new online shop allows consumers to order the range directly for delivery across the UK, while the company is also looking to expand its presence in the independent retail sector.
Patrowicz told Asian Trader that the company's Palestinian wine and beer range is available to independent convenience stores through direct supply. Nabeeth delivers from LCB bonded warehouses and can supply retailers anywhere in the UK.
The range includes alcoholic beers and non-alcoholic beer from Taybeh Brewery, alongside the company's portfolio of Palestinian wines.
“We would of course very much like to see those Palestinian products in the independent retail sector and are already working with a few independent wine shops and hoping to see this grow,” Patrowicz said.
The company said its aim is to give Palestinian wine greater visibility in the UK market and introduce consumers to wines produced using both international and local grape varieties.
For Kattan, wine represents another way of telling the story of Palestine through its land, people and agricultural heritage.
“Palestinian wine tells a story that deserves to be tasted,” he said. “Behind every bottle are people, vineyards, landscapes and generations of knowledge. Nabeeth is about creating a space for those stories in the UK and allowing people to discover Palestine through what grows from its land.”
Patrowicz said there was growing curiosity among wine drinkers about less familiar wine-producing regions and grape varieties.
“Palestinian wines can surprise people. They have their own character and sense of place,” she said, adding that Nabeeth's role was to give consumers the opportunity to discover the wines “first and foremost as wines”.
Nabeeth said wine has been part of the Palestinian landscape for thousands of years, with vineyards continuing to grow around areas including Bethlehem, Hebron and Ramallah.
The company works directly with its producers and distributes their products in the UK, supplying restaurants, sommeliers and independent retailers alongside its direct-to-consumer operation.