Curating a Profitable Wine List in Aberdeenshire
Creating a wine list that performs well isn’t just about showcasing great bottles, it’s about understanding your clientele, your margins, and your supply. Whether you run a neighbourhood bistro in Stonehaven or a high-footfall pub in central Aberdeen, here’s how to build a wine offering that works both on paper and on the bottom line.
1. Know Your Audience
A wine list in a city centre steakhouse should look different from one in a seafood spot on the coast. Location, occasion, and price point shape not just what sells, but how it’s enjoyed.
At United Supplies Wine, we help venues in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire shape their lists around real-world drinking habits, not just theory or trends.
Whether your audience prefers bold reds, crisp whites, or safe crowd-pleasers by the glass, we tailor your list to match your space, your season, and your service style.
2. Get the Balance Right
A profitable list doesn’t need to be long, it needs to be clever.
A good rule of thumb:
- One or two crowd-pleasing whites and reds
- A rosé year-round (yes, even in Scotland)
- At least one sparkling option
- One wildcard – something that gets your team talking
We can help you fine-tune this balance based on season, cuisine, and your team’s confidence to sell.
3. Think by the Glass and by the Bottle
Wines by the glass are your margin makers, but only if they move.
We’ll help you select wines with stability, freshness, and the right story to sit on the bar and keep your profit healthy.
4. Price Confidently, With Support
Building in profit doesn’t mean overpricing. It means buying smart and having options across price tiers.
Our wholesale model ensures you get access to wines you won’t see in the supermarket, and at pricing that supports the trade. No inflated RRPs, no confusion.
5. Train the Team, Tell the Story
Even the best wine list won’t perform without front-of-house buy-in.
We provide tasting notes, key sales lines, and in-person training support if required – because a wine that gets talked about is a wine that sells.
Want help building your next list?
We work with hospitality venues across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire to supply curated, margin-friendly wines backed by service that moves as quickly as your business does.
Ready to refine your wine list? Get in touch and let’s build something that works for your margins and your menu.