type of enhanced small-sizes merchandising , up from the initial 61 test stores .

In fiscal year 2019-20 , Fine Wine & Good Spirits plans to grow the number of stores with 50-ml . multipack shelf sets from seven to 183 , and expand the number of stores featuring self-service , smallsize shelf sets from 96 to 170 stores .

“ Consumers continue to want to experiment with new and premium products , so we see an opportunity for continued growth in small sizes ,” Horst says . “ Our focus is tailoring our Fine Wine &

Good Spirits stores to meet this demand .”

Moving forward , Fine Wine & Good Spirits will continue to expand its in-store portfolio of wines and spirits in small sizes and alternative packaging , and also make the products available online for purchase through FWGS . com .

“ We ’ re also going to explore refrigeration units for small sizes within the next few months ,” Horst says . “ This will determine optimal in-store placement and product selections within the units .” •

SHOWCASING WINE AND SPIRITS WITH FOOD

by MAURA KELLER

Top winemakers traveled to New Hampshire in January 2019 for the 14th annual New Hampshire Wine Week . This is the NHLC ’ s weeklong celebration of wine . Months prior , the commission launched the first-ever Distiller ’ s Week , showcasing hundreds of the world ’ s best whiskies , tequilas , vodkas , rums and more .

As explains NHLC Chairman Joseph Mollica , both series of events offer customers a staggering number of opportunities for in-store tastings and bottle signings , and culminate in two of the largest tasting events in New England : the Winter Wine Spectacular and the Distiller ’ s Showcase of Premium Spirits .

To extend participation throughout each week , and to expand opportunities for customers to immerse themselves in the worlds of fine wines and spirits , NHLC partnered with a number of restaurants to host exclusive meet and greets , and pairing dinners , throughout the state . NHLC featured each dinner on its website , and promoted the sale of tickets . Additionally , NHLC was able to sell product to event attendees at a discounted price at select events .

“ Wine and spirits help unlock unique flavors in food and viceversa ,” Mollica says , “ so it was natural to feature restaurants — on-premise licensees — in our weeklong celebrations .”

For NHLC ’ s signature tasting events , restaurants enjoy exposure they receive from the 1,000-plus guests who attend each event .

“ Dozens of restaurants participate in both events , serving up signature dishes ,” Mollica says . “ In addition , including food is critical to ensuring people enjoy responsibly .”

Restaurants reserve their space up to a year in advance to secure participation for both events .

For New Hampshire Wine Week , more than 60 of the world

’ s best winemakers descend upon New Hampshire in

January , because of the opportunity NHLC provides to interact with New Hampshire Liquor & Wine Outlet customers , as well as restaurant owners , chefs and staff .

“ Thanks in great part to our broker and supplier partners , we coordinate wine dinners that pair exceptional wines with custom-made menus , enabling diners to interact with winemakers and chefs and actually purchase cases of wine at the events ,” Mollica says .

During Wine Week , NHLC partnered with dozens of restaurants to feature exclusive pairing dinners , combining multi-course meals prepared by New Hampshire ’ s best chefs and delicious premium wines . Winemakers , who serve as hosts , work directly with chefs to pair the perfect wine with each course . Dinners included the following :

A four-course dinner with Marilisa Allegrini of Allegrini Estates at Tuscan Kitchen in Salem .

A family-style dinner and wine tasting with La Crema Winemaker Craig McAllister at Mombo was held in Portsmouth .

A wine pairing dinner with David Philips of Michael David Winery was held at the Copper Door in Bedford .

A wine pairing dinner with Sean Minor of Sean Minor Wines was held at Firefly in Manchester .

With Distiller ’ s Week in its second year , NHLC is expanding the interaction with restaurants to mirror Wine Week , by coordinating events that offer educational and sales opportunities .

“ Last year , in partnership with brokers and suppliers , we offered nearly a dozen spirits dinners , tasting events and seminars at locations , including our outlets , a speakeasy , cigar bar and restaurants ,” Mollica says .

During Distiller ’ s Week , NHLC hosted an exclusive Pappy Van Winkle five-course tasting dinner at Crown Tavern in Manchester , in which guests were treated to sample of Pappy Van Winkle ’ s full line of bourbons .

“ These wine and spirit dinners drew thousands of guests last

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