The art and science of selecting wines for Cayman

Ernest Hemingway famously said, “Wine is the most civilised thing in the world.”

Whether selecting a bottle to pair with dinner, bringing bubbles to a celebration or enjoying a glass on the beach, wine plays a role in many of life’s moments. But have you ever wondered how certain bottles make it to store shelves or restaurant wine lists in Camana Bay?

Greg Whisenant, wine manager at Cayman Distributors Group (CDG), the owner of Blackbeard’s, is part of the team responsible for making those decisions. Recently, the CDG team attended Wine Paris 2024, the world’s leading wine and spirits trade event. Over three days, the event welcomed more than 52,000 visitors from over 150 countries. The CDG team met with more than 30 wineries and spirit producers, conducting more than 10 meetings each day to explore new options for the Cayman market.

“Selecting wines for Cayman is both an art and a science. At events like Wine Paris, we taste, evaluate and consider not just quality, but how a wine fits our unique market. It’s about finding the perfect balance between tradition, innovation and what we know our customers will love,” said Whisenant.

One exciting addition soon to arrive on shelves is a wine from Quinta da Raza, a Portuguese family estate dating back to 1769. Mafalda Teixeira Coelho, owner of the winery, highlights the country’s rich viticultural history, noting that Portugal boasts over 250 grape varietals.

When discussing the appeal of Portuguese wines in Cayman, she remarked, “They are very fresh wines, very fruity — perfect for your weather, gastronomy and those relaxed moments by the beach or pool.”

Blackbeard’s currently carries the Raza White and Raza Rosé from Quinta da Raza, and soon, the Raza Pet Nat White will join the lineup. This naturally fizzy wine is bursting with vibrant orchard flavours, its cloudiness from natural sediment adding complexity. It pairs beautifully with tuna, snapper and other local seafood.

Another notable return to Cayman is La Segreta, a wine from Sicilian producer Planeta. Previously available at Blackbeard’s, it is making a comeback due to its popularity. Marco Scaglione, Planeta’s export manager, describes La Segreta as an accessible yet high-quality introduction to Sicilian wines.

“La Segreta is a wine that everybody can afford. It offers fresh acidity, fruit and salinity on the palate, with aromas of white peaches, Sicilian citrus and tropical fruits,” he said.

Sarah Howard, sales and marketing manager at CDG, emphasised why La Segreta was chosen to return. 

“We’re always looking for wines that offer great taste, a great price and are perfectly suited for our island climate. Bringing back this particular wine was an easy decision — it’s refreshing, well-balanced and ideal for enjoying the Cayman sunshine. We know our customers will love having it on the shelves again.”

Beyond traditional wines, the next big trend is the continued rise of non-alcoholic and low-alcohol options, driven by consumer demand for new experiences and health-conscious choices. 

“The non-alcoholic trend is growing rapidly, and we’re seeing incredible innovation in this space,” said Howard. “From premium brand extensions to entirely new offerings, producers are elevating the category with complex flavours and high-quality alternatives. It’s exciting to bring these options to Cayman, giving our customers more choice without compromising on taste or experience.”

Wine lovers can look forward to discovering these new selections at Blackbeard’s stores in the near future.