Marks & Spencer English wine buyer: Nativ Dror
Please tell me which English and/or Welsh Wines you stock?
- Chapel Down Sparkling English Brut
- Chapel Down Sparkling English Rosé Brut
- Ridgeview Cavendish
- Nyetimber Classic Cuvée
- Nyetimber Rose
- Balfour Cuvée Rosé
- Balfour Classic Cuvée Brut
- GinKing Rose
- Denbies English Lily
- Balfour Chardonnay Ortega
- Balfour English Rosé
- Denbies English Pink Lily
- Hambledon Classic Cuvée Brut
What are you looking for when considering new wines to list?
Most importantly we’re always looking for delicious wines that our customers will enjoy and will buy again. This includes sourcing the best examples of customer favourites but also helping them discover less well-known styles and hidden gems. We’re also looking for long-term partners that will grow with us sustainably over time.
What do you expect a supplier/producer to supply you with, in advance?
We constantly review the performance of our ranges, so suppliers pitching for listings should get to know our portfolio, where our potential future range gaps might be based on the wider market, and what volume and scale are needed.
What are English and Welsh producers doing well?
It’s been great to see so many English and Welsh producers really telling their individual stories and engaging emotionally with customers, which helps take them on the journey and understand the brand. This is exactly what’s needed for long term growth!
What trends do you discern in wine sales?
The key trends we’re seeing at M&S are a growth in sparkling wine (with English sparkling the fastest growing category within sparkling!), similar growth in rosé, and a strong customer focus on wines for gifting.
Your background
I have been a wine buyer at M&S for nine years, covering Champagne and Sparkling, England, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Loire and South America. I am currently in the final stage of the Master of Wine programme, writing my research paper.
I have previously bought wine for other major retailers, but also worked for an independent family-owned importer. I started out my career in bars and restaurants in Israel and my claim to fame was opening the first Irish pub in Tel Aviv.
How did you become a wine buyer?
My first buying role was at SPAR UK, having gained experience in all aspects of buying, distributing and selling wine at Hayward Bros Wines.
What style, type, country’s wine, do you personally enjoy?
It’s tough to list all the styles I have a soft spot for, but amongst them are Barolo and Barbaresco, Rhone, Bordeaux, South African barrel-aged Chenin Blanc, Australian Grenache. The list goes on…