A key feature of the Wine Pantry is the Tasting Room, London’ s only exclusively English wine  shop:

One of London’s smallest shops, we hold a much larger ambition to promote and [...]]]> Down in foodie-heaven at London’s Borough Market, a new venture has opened bringing together quality English Wine, Cheese and Cured meats.

A key feature of the Wine Pantry is the Tasting Room, London’ s only exclusively English wine  shop:

One of London’s smallest shops, we hold a much larger ambition to promote and support the finest British products and English wine, by sourcing them directly from producers and making them available in one of London’s oldest and most renowned markets, six days a week.

It is good to see English wine getting top billing with English winemakers getting recognition for the quality of their produce and offering real alternatives to traditional wine-exporting countries. It will be pasrticularly interesting  to contrast and compare wines from different English producers. Wine is often at its best against food – the Wine Pantry’s selection of English cured meats and cheeses is not yet available online – another excuse to pop into Borough Market if you are in the capital.

No online ordering or scheduled tastings as yet – although you can browse their English wines for tasting notes and at the store they have up to 20 wines for tasting by the glass!

The Wine Pantry – Tasting Room:1 Stoney Street, Borough Market, SE1 9AA  t:020 7407 1002

At the following events there [...]]]> The idea of the Three Wine Men shows is to bring an audience of enthusiastic wine lovers into one room with wine and TV Personalities Tim Atkin, Olly Smith and Oz Clarke to learn more about the complexities and fun you can have with wine and also with food.

At the following events there will be over 500 wines for you to taste, cookery master classes, face to face meetings with winemakers, masterclasses on food and wine matching, pop up tastings, glassware demonstrations, opportunities to buy wine for Christmas and many more exciting activities designed to help enlighten you about the complex world of wine…what more could you ask for in a day out?

Three Wine Men

e:info@threewinemen.co.uk

24 September 2011 (Lords, London)

25 September 2011 ( Manchester)

3-4  December 2011 (Lords, London)

It does exactly what it says in it’s name. Simply put, walk into the shop and explore the broad, eclectic choice of fine and little-known wines, taste if you will, and buy if you can’t resist.

The shop, [...]]]> A rather different concept awaits visitors to Balham in South London at The Wine Tasting Shop:

It does exactly what it says in it’s name. Simply put, walk into the shop and explore the broad, eclectic choice of fine and little-known wines, taste if you will, and buy if you can’t resist.

The shop, launched by Julia Micheal, reflects her individual interest in wines created with as little intervention as possible in both the Vineyard and Winery; some from lesser-known regions and all delivering value for money within their price range.

With a choice of 20 still wines and 6 sparkling wines at any time at a modest charge of 50p a time, customers get a chance to try lesser-known wines and expand their wine knowledge without having to commit to a large outlay. Regular tastings are promised.

Online there is no indication of the wines on offer and no online ordering available – but then you really need to be local to take advantage of this concept – worth a try?

Tasting events:

Frequent tastings

The Wine Tasting Shop,  8 Hildreth Street, Balham  London SW12 9RQ  t: 0208 6168658

Over 29,000* wine enthusiasts and food lovers attended the 3 day event last year – With The Wine Show co-located with hugely poplar MasterChef LIVE [...]]]> After the huge success and high volume of visitors last year, The Wine Show 2011 has expanded and will take place in its own dedicated venue in Olympia 2.

Over 29,000* wine enthusiasts and food lovers attended the 3 day event last year – With The Wine Show co-located with hugely poplar MasterChef LIVE it’s a must attend event for any wine and food lover.

Wine Show 2011 11-13 Nov 2011, Olympia London

Offering wine by internet, mail and a real shop this looks to be a fun and interesting source of great wines. The large range of wines looks to be keenly-priced – and free [...]]]> Edinburgh has a number of good, innovative independent wine merchants, amongst which has to be the memorably-named Great Grog Wine Warehouse.

Offering wine by internet, mail and a real shop this looks to be a fun and interesting source of great wines. The large range of wines looks to be keenly-priced – and free delivery is offered on a case of 12 bottles.

The online ordering system is a bit basic, but there is plenty to offer with the downloadable (pdf) list – but calling into the shop looks worthwhile, to browse through the offerings and special offers.
EXPERIENCE:- Over 65 years of professional drinking, tasting and sober study between us.(21 for Richard, 11 for Simon, 11 for Mat, 11 for janice, 7 for Heather, 100+ for Red (at least!)
All wines are individually taste tested (before listing & then regularly after)…. & then the samples taken home by us, just to make absolutely sure the wine at the bottom is the same as at the top.
Frequent Offers and Bargain Bin-Ends.
Most of our products are from small, individual, quality, family-owned producers. I would say “boutique” wineries, but that would intimate expensive & we ain’t that.

Tastings are offered (not just in Edinburgh).

UK Delivery =£free (minimum order 12 bottles)

GREAT GROG WAREHOUSE161 Bonnington Road, Edinburgh, EH6 5BQ. t: 0131 555 0222

École du Vin has been specially created by sister company [...]]]> Combining stlylish accommodation, dining and some very good wines, the Hotel du Vin chain has always been something of a treat for serious wine lovers. Now with the Ecole du Vin (wine school) the emphasis on great wine tastings and expertise has been extended:

École du Vin has been specially created by sister company Hotel du Vin  to share their knowledge and passion of the world’s finest wines. Hosted by their world-class Master Sommelier Ronan Sayburn, special guest producers and set in their stunning private events and Laroche tasting rooms, the École du Vin weekends combine wine-tasting and masterclasses on what they consider to be some of the finest wines from each region.

 Picture fourteen sensitively converted spaces, like a Georgian townhouse, a former asylum, or a hospital, eclectically furnished in a timeless manner. Imagine a trademark bistro, serving simple classics, an outstanding cellar, Egyptian linen and monsoon showers for your room, a glorious Laroche tasting room for the wine-lover, a cigar shack in its gardens, and inspiring original art in its halls. How very du Vin.

Hotel du vin & Bistro, Harrogate

Hotel du Vin, Bristol

Hotel du Vin, Birmingham

Hotel du Vin, Brighton

Hotedl du Vin, Cambridge

Hotel du Vin, Cheltenham

Hotel du Vin & Bistro, Edinburgh

Hotel du Vin, Glasgow

Hotel du Vin, Henley-on-Thames

Hotel du Vin, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Hotel du Vin, Poole

Hotel du Vin, Royal Tunbridge Wells

Hotel du Vin, Winchester

Hotel du Vin, York

Having completed a highly successful maturing process, Vineyard Wines of Ramsbottom now enjoys popularity throughout this region of Lancashire where – with ‘bouquets’ all round – we are recognised as a full bodied, [...]]]> Vines and Lancashire do not naturally go together. But in Ramsbottom you will find The Vineyard – an independent wine merchant.

Having completed a highly successful maturing process, Vineyard Wines of Ramsbottom now enjoys popularity throughout this region of Lancashire where – with ‘bouquets’ all round – we are recognised as a full bodied, sparkling wine merchant…with a truly impressive vintage! Here, you will quickly discover that wine is our passion as we introduce you to superb choices from around the world

Revamped website is pleasing on the eye, easy to navigate and with plenty of information offerd plus online ordering.

Regular tastings are on offer e.g.

8 December 2011 – Malt Whisky Trail Tasting

6 May 2011 – Champagne & Cognac
Hosted by Julia Langshaw -McKinley Vintners

Vineyard Wines, 12 Square Street, Ramsbottom, Lancashire BL0 9BE

t: 01706 822213

Interestingly they claim that they only source their wines from within a 1000 miles radius of Norwich – so most of the New World is excluded – [...]]]> A high standard to live up to, but The Perfect Wine at Wacton near Norwich looks to be determined to become a successful independent wine merchant .

Interestingly they claim that they only source their wines from within a 1000 miles radius of Norwich – so most of the New World is excluded – on the basis that there are plenty of great wines available nearer to home. They could be right, especially when being able to ascertain the provenance of food and wine products is becoming increasingly important for consumers. Unless you are very lucky or very big it is unlikely that any UK independent merchant can visit vineyards in California, Chile or Australia and get to know how they are produced.

• Our wine list – it’s small but perfectly formed and our wines really have to earn their place. Unlike the supermarkets, we actually think too much choice can be bewildering. All our wines online have been individually tasted and selected to meet our demanding standards.
• Our pricing – all of our wines (except Champagne) fall into the £5 to £15 price range.
• Our producers – we have deliberately chosen wines from within 1000 miles of our base in Norfolk. We strongly believe that there is no need to transport wines half way across the world when fantastic wine is produced closer to home.
• Our service – customer service is integral to The Perfect Wine. As an independant online wine merchant, we really can offer a personal service and we can be contacted any time to discuss our wines. We’ll even come to your house for personal wine tastings if you live in Norfolk or Suffolk! Keep watching for news of tastings planned for further afield

Established in 2009 by Emily Barclay. The website is clean and attractive with online ordering (?no shop) – personally I would like just a little more info on the wines or vineyards, but the information is sufficient to help make choices – tastings are offered at various venues. Certainly worth a look. There is a blog , but posts look a bit intermittent.

UK Delivery = £free (12 bottles)

Tastings offered

The Perfect Wine, The Barn, Hill House, Wacton, Norwich NR15 2UE  t:01508 486000

[gravityform id="149" name="The Perfect Wine Co - Enquiry "]

From their bustling store in the quintessential market town of Northallerton, North Yorkshire, Mr Lewis & Mr Cooper built a world-renowned gourmet food emporium packed with local delicacies and gastronomic delights of uncompromising quality.

Today the [...]]]> Lewis & Cooper combine an excellent deli and wine store at their shop in Northallerton, North Yorkshire.

From their bustling store in the quintessential market town of Northallerton, North Yorkshire, Mr Lewis & Mr Cooper built a world-renowned gourmet food emporium packed with local delicacies and gastronomic delights of uncompromising quality.

Today the tradition lives on, handed down from generation to generation.

Lewis & Cooper today is a multi award winning independent gourmet food store, packed with the most flavoursome foodie treats, fine wines, delicious gift baskets and sumptuous food hampers, all available to order online .

Attractive, if busy, website, showcasing an impressive range of wines (and foods) from New and Old World – navigate by category (e.g. Indulgent Whites), brief tasting notes and online ordering.

Tastings are offered.

UK Delivery=£10.25

Lewis & Cooper, 92 High Street, Northallerton, N Yorks DL7 8PT   t: 01609 772880

also at 109 High Street, Yarm, TS15 9BB    t: 01642 784 158

and 23 Parliament Street, Harrogate,HG1 2QU

14 October 2011 – The Wines of Jean-Luc Colombo (Northern Rhône) (booking required) 5 – 7pm

4 November 2011 -  [...]]]> More tastings this time down in Fareham, Hampshire where the team at the Fareham Wine Cellar are hosting a series in the run up to Christmas – these are informal tastings at the shop.

14 October 2011 – The Wines of Jean-Luc Colombo (Northern Rhône) (booking required) 5 – 7pm

4 November 2011 -  A rum tasting with Toby Cutler of Eaux de Vie Ltd (booking required) 5 – 7pm

i July 2011 – 2009 Vintage Port Tasting (booking required) 5 – 7pm

on  4 December 2010 from 1 – 4pm

Proprietor Dominic Lockyer will be showing some great wines from Torres including a new organic white wine and a some rather good Priorat and Ribera del Duero. The Wente Riva Ranch Chardonnay would be just as at home with turkey and all the trimmings as it would be with smoked salmon. There is also the chance to try one of the single vineyard Super-Malbecs from Trapiche. Additionally there will be a Single Quinta Vintage Port and a 10 year Malmsey Madeira for the fortified fans!

on 11 December 2010 1pm – 5pm

James is showing mainly Chilean and French wines. There is a new single vineyard Gewurztraminer and an NZ Pinot Gris for those who prefer things a little more aromatic. There will also be a chance to try one of the newly arrived 2008 white Burgundies. The 2006 Pernand Vergelesses is drinking really well now, the Shiraz is spicy and bramble-y, whilst The Blend is a must have for those who prefer their wines on the chunkier side.

Fareham Wine Cellar, 55 High Street, Fareham, Hampshire, PO16 7BG

t : 01329 822733 e: dominic@farehamwinecellar.co.uk

The Wokingham Wine Festival (Berkshire) on 3-4 December 2011 provides anopportunity for wine-lovers to taste and buy fine wines supplied by members of the ASDW (the Association of Small Direct Winemerchants). ASDW members offer between them a huge range of fine wines from around the world.

The event is [...]]]>

Wokingham Wine Festival logo

The Wokingham Wine Festival (Berkshire) on 3-4 December 2011 provides anopportunity for wine-lovers to taste and buy fine wines supplied by members of the ASDW (the Association of Small Direct Winemerchants). ASDW members offer between them a huge range of fine wines from around the world.

The event is organised by the ASDW, the Thames Valley Region branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, and the Wokingham Round Table. It’s a charity event, and profits from the sale of tickets goes to the Mutliple Sclerosis Society.

There will be a number of independent winemerchants in attendance, each with a superb range of wines to taste and buy:-

Aldeby Wines – small producers in the South of France

Amordivino – specialist in Italian wines

Bordeaux & Beyond - quality French wines

Decanter Wines – Spanish specialist (Rioja, Albariño and others)

Great Wine Online – South African wines

Harlequin Wines – French and German wines

Hyde Park Wines – Spanish Wines to drink with spicy food.

Individual Wines – wines from Old and New World

Merry Widow Wines – Austrian Wines, including some small bottle-sizes

Nick Dobson Wines – wines from Austria, Switzerland, and Beaujolais

Pre-purchased tickets for the event will be available, and once inside, you can taste as many wines as you like for no additional charge.

It’s a fantastic opportunity to stock up for Christmas, by buying from the exhibiting merchants.

See www.wokinghamwinefestival.co.uk

Our goal is to make shopping for wine simple, approachable and fun. We make it easy to find the right wine by taste or food-pairing. Most importantly, you can taste virtually any of our wines before you buy – [...]]]> Vagabond Wines in Londons’s Fulham believe they have a new approach to shopping for wines.

Our goal is to make shopping for wine simple, approachable and fun.
We make it easy to find the right wine by taste or food-pairing. Most importantly, you can taste virtually any of our wines before you buy – so you’ll know exactly what wine you’re getting into.

Most retailers today carry far too many wines, and the sheer variety involved can be daunting. On top of this, when buying wine, customers are expected to pay for something without knowing what they’re getting. Not so with other high street items such as music, clothes or perfume.

This is why we’re launching Vagabond Wines. Our goal is to make shopping for wine simple, approachable and fun.

Vagabond carries over a 100 wines, which is enough to be interesting but not overwhelming, unlike the 500-1000 carried by most retailers. Each of our wines is selected by an emerging Master of Wine, the industry’s highest credential.

Given the huge potential choice facing the wine consumer these days, the opportunity to try before you buy is really valuable – and it helps the wine lover to experiment with new and different wines – and by restricting the range somewhat it should be a less daunting prospect than being confronted by shelf upon shelf of wines – hopefully this will avoid selection by the impressiveness of the label or by sheer familiarity. We have all done at one time or the other – chosen by the name (often a brand) or because the label suggests something grand.

Online ordering and a decent website help – you can narrow your choice by style, region or price – or by selecting the food group which the wine will partner!
UK Delivery = £15

An impressive range of Tastings offered
Vagabond Wines 18-22 Vanston Place, London SW6 1AX  t: 0 20 7381 1717

Talking Wines is an independent wine merchant established in 2003 by Simon [...]]]> Cirencester and the Cotswolds are quite well-served by independent wine merchants – and its not all Champagne and fine claret! Cirencester is home to independent wine merchant Talking Wines offers a fairly small but interesting selection of wines from around the world:-

Talking Wines is an independent wine merchant established in 2003 by Simon Thomson. Combining his passion for wine and business knowledge has enabled Simon to build a successful company which continues to grow with a small team selecting all the wines.
Talking Wines specialise in sourcing wines from smaller independent vineyards. We continually search the wine regions of the world to add interesting new wines to our list, available for you to buy online. Where possible we select independent vineyards that practice minimum intervention in the vineyards, producing a more natural style of wine. We also prefer wines with a sense of place, true to their origins.

The website is quite straightforward and easy to navigate – tasting notes and online ordering is offered and there is a real shop with open tastings most Saturdays.
UK Delivery = £7.99

Tastings offered

Talking Wines, Unit 2, Stirling Works, Love Lane, Cirencester, Gloucestershire GL7 1YG    t: 01285 650250