BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – ORIGINATING from Sandy Point, Jiggy Wine has made a major impact on the local market since it was brought to the public’s domain at the start of this year’s Black San’ Bang-A-Lang.
Enologist Akile Glasgow, in an exclusive sit down interview with SKNVibes Business, stated that this wine could be the next big drink in the twin-island Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
The wine is high in alcoholic content but is said to be smooth and does not cause hangovers or the usual headaches after consuming large amounts of alcohol.
“First, it’s a local homemade wine and it is strong in flavour and alcohol content. It is done in a high temperature fermentation process, and that’s how come you get the high alcohol content.”
The wine maker explained that the concept came from his days of making wines several years ago, noting that his daily work routine took him away from doing what he once enjoyed, but that has all changed as he is fully committed to his wine production.
“I used to make wine a lot back in 2008/2009 and then I just stopped because work and time commitment wasn’t there. I just love to make wines. I first saw my friends making it and I fell in love with it. I then started seeing it going through the different processes, and then when people drink it, it makes them feel good.
“I had stopped around 2011 and then recently for the Black San Festival, but I decided that I would come back out on a bigger scale and that is why you saw it at the marketable scale…that is why you saw it at the Black san event.”
He declared that it is a “personal joy” to see individuals enjoying the rebirth of Jiggy Wine and the reception from persons towards the new concept of the product.
Glasgow stated that the wine is made primarily for partygoers due to its high alcoholic content.
When questioned on the market response for the wine which has been limited in supply, he stated that currently the demand is more than he could supply because of the lengthy process it takes to create the blend.
“Well, honestly, it’s kind of scary because I’m wondering if I would be able to keep up with the demand in terms of how much people would want. It’s like I never have enough. I’m in the process of trying to go out on a bigger scale and I still think that would not be enough.”
Currently, the wine is being sold in the Sandy Point area and at several neighbouring supermarkets but, so far, it has not reached Basseterre.
However, the Black San’ events were not the official launch of the high-alcoholic wine, according to Glasgow, rather, the “Black San’ activities were used as a marketing and promotional event for the small wine brand”.
The winemaker revealed that he would soon be introducing the ‘Ladies Jiggy Wine’, which would be a much softer version of the current one.
Glasgow also revealed that there are only two individuals who bottle the wines for distribution while he undertakes the process of making it.
When asked how the wine is made, a wry-smiling Glasgow declared to SKNVibes Business that he would not reveal his secret which would make individuals get ‘jiggy” whenever they consume his product.
Exportation is a major goal that Glasgow has on the front burner, but that venture, he noted, would be engaged after the local market has been adequately supplied and the brand is nationally recognised.
Glasgow stated that he has a number of major plans for the remainder of the year, which include the launching of the ladies version of the Jiggy Wine with a “Jiggy Wine Dance Competition in July or August and in 2015 there will be a big official launch for the brand in general”.
