Big Brands at The Mansion

Every state is dominated by a handful large wine/liquor distributors whose share of national brands has become more dominante due to consolidation. One of the big four in New Jersey is the family run Opici Wine Group and their distribution arm, American BD (beverage distribtibution), the host of this regional product tasting event for South Jersey at The Mansion in the bedroom community of Voorhees.

While I am inherently more interested in the growing availablity of fascinating small producers, I still like to attend these big shows to keep in touch with the popular brands that inevitably reach the mainstream customers at chain restaurants, major grocery stores, big box beverage centers and common liquor stores. Its the only way to legitimaly gauge of worth of products. In addtion, these large distributors also offer the chance to sample popular liquor brands and items new to the market.