We provide a fantastic range of everyday wines, [...]]]> Athough the premises in SW London have long been running as an independent wine merchant, the current business started in 2010 by Marco and Harriet Napolitan, who both had experience running chain wine stores and who can now make their own choices of wines (and spirits):

We provide a fantastic range of everyday wines, and a selection of hidden gems, handpicked from a range of small producers and some more well known brands that cover the globe. There’s no letting up on the quality either when it comes to our selection of spirits- try the truly outstanding Sipsmith range of handmade Gin and Barley Vodka.

There is an online ordering system with some basic tasting notes.

UK Delivery = £4.99

Tastings?

North and South Wines  63 Broomwood Rd, Wandsworth,  London SW11 6HU  t:0207 228 2431

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Independent wine merchant Dorjes of Warwick always finds some truly interesting wines from around the World qnd will be offering an extensive selection to taste at the Grand Christmas tasting on 10 November 2010.

This year’s tasting will be at The Granville in Barford and as usual we’ll presenting more than 80 wines, [...]]]>

Independent wine merchant Dorjes of Warwick always finds some truly interesting wines from around the World qnd will be offering an extensive selection to taste at the Grand Christmas tasting on 10 November 2010.

This year’s tasting will be at The Granville in Barford and as usual we’ll presenting more than 80 wines, Champagnes and ports, with experts on hand to answer any questions and offer advice. This year we’ll also be introducing a range of great quality spirits at very competitive prices, perfect for fending off the cold as winter sets in. Not only that, but we’ll be joined by Ian Sparrow from Hook Norton Brewery who will be offering the opportunity to taste their complete range of delicious bottled ales.

Proprietors Alistair and Jayne aim to introduce the most beautiful wines in the World! And the search includes wines from THAILAND!

Tickets  £10 (refundable on orders over £100 taken on the night), either from the website, or by telephoning 01926 430550.

Dorje’s Wine Limited, Unit 4, Rigby Close, Heathcote Industrial Estate, Warwick, CV34 6TH

t: 01926 430550 e: info@dorjes.co.uk

William Cadenhead has a well established pedigree and the experience [...]]]> With Christmas almost upon us thoughts move ahead to New Year, a celebration which the Scots dominate.
So a timely discovery is Cadenheads, a wonderfully atmospheric, old-style emporium on Canongate, part of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. Cadenhead claims to be Scotland’s oldest independent bottler -

William Cadenhead has a well established pedigree and the experience of over one and a half centuries ensure that our customers can truly rely on what we put in a bottle. We guarantee that we never chill-filter or chemically alter the products that we bottle nor do we add colouring agents. Each of our bottlings of whisky, and indeed of our rums and cognacs, comes from an individually selected cask.

Hence they offer an impressive range of whiskies (and rum) which are bottled from a single cask – each cask can be quite different even from the same year – factors such as the oak and storage conditions can make a difference to the spirit – not necessarily a uniform product, which the bigger international brands will aim for. This adds a whole new dimension to whisky selection – most consumers now understand the difference between single malt and blended whisky, between Scottish Whisky and Irish Whiskey, and between Highland, Lowland, Islay areas etc. So now you can also choose between different bottlings! This could be a fascinating (if expensive) journey of exploration.

Although seriously Scottish in their history and focus, Cadenhead also bottle rum and are expanding their range into World Whiskies – Single Malt from New Zealand, bourbon from America, whisky from Canada as well as single grain whisky from Scotland. Future bottlings will include Japanese and Australian malts.

Yes, Australian Malt Whisky – which comes from Tasmania, where the climate is rather more temperate than most of Mainland Australia – e.g. www.tasmanianwhisky.com.au/ where the Small Concern Distillery produces Cradle Mountain Malt: ”
Pure rainwater from the isolated craggy peaks of the Tasmanian Highlands helps to produce the unique, smooth taste of Cradle Mountain Single Malt Whisky.
Triple distilled for extra smoothness, Cradle Mountain Malt is made using the world’s finest Franklin barley and one of the purest sources of water on the earth. Cradle Mountain Malt has a pale straw colour with a faintly honeyish nose. It has a smooth palate and is clean tasting with a lingering afterglow.”
William Cadenhead , 172 Canongate Edinburgh EH8 8BN
T: 0131 556 5864 F: 0131 556 2527 E: chws@wmcadenhead.com
also at Campbeltown, Argyll and at Cadenheads 26 Chiltern Street, London W1U 7QF

Down in elegant Cheltenham is a wine merchant who also offers the opportunity to try a glass of wine, a coffer and a bite to eat – an ideal combination, esepcially in a town where they take local food produce seriously.

When we are not selling wines and spirits you may find us [...]]]>

Down in elegant Cheltenham is a wine merchant who also offers the opportunity to try a glass of wine, a coffer and a bite to eat – an ideal combination, esepcially in a town where they take local food produce seriously.

When we are not selling wines and spirits you may find us also serving glasses or wine and coffee. We also have a ‘lite bites’ menu for you to enjoy with your drinks. Catch us on the weekends and you may also enjoy music from one of the musicians that come and play here. Seating in the shop, downstairs in the bistro or outside in the covered courtyard.

So a little detour to this Regency town (and/or for the racing or its literary or other festivals) may be well worthwhile. As for the website at www.johngordons.org.uk, this appears to be a “work in progress” with several links not working – most importantly for the wine list! There is also a Wine Club (but no links) and a regular series of events and tastings.

At John Gordons we specialise in selling beautifully made, high quality wines at affordable prices to the wholesale and general public. You will find selected wines from both the Old and New world. These are not big brand producers, but relatively small individual vineyards, who, along with meticulous wine making, produce wines full of terroir and individuality. The wines we sell are of exceptional quality and in most cases, wines that you will not find elsewhere in the county.

John Gordon Wines, 11 Montpellier Arcade (in Montpellier Walk), Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 1SU

T:01242 245985  E:johngordons@gmail.com

Offering a whole host of vinous delights to taste and an opportunity to meet, in person, winemakers from all around the world. [...]]]> Oddbins and Nicolas come together for their annual wine fair on 17th & 18th May 2008 to be held at Stamford Bridge, home of Chelsea Football Club in west London.

Offering a whole host of vinous delights to taste and an opportunity to meet, in person, winemakers from all around the world.
It’s the perfect occasion to sample the Oddbins & Nicolas ranges of wines, in a professional yet fun environment, with the chance to learn more about the products on our shelves and the people behind them.

The event includes masterclasses on “Discover Argentina”, Bruichladdich whiskies, d’Arenberg winery (McLaren Vale, South Australia), Bordeaux, Champagnes and Anakena Ona winery (Chile)

Among many others, highlights at this year’s event include: d’Arenberg, Dashwood, De Bortoli, Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, Bollinger, Pernod Ricard, Paragon Vintners, Chapoutier, Montana, Lindauer, Cellar Trend, Masi, Cave de Tain, Gerard Bertrand, Taylor’s Port, Cillar De Silos El Quintalal, Jourdan Bordeaux, Cordoniu Wines, Bruichladdich Distillery, Inverhouse Distillery

Book your tickets (£25 11am – 5pm) ONLINE

What sets The French Wine People apart from the dozens of other smaller French specialists, apart from a nicely designed website?

Some of the more eclectic wines include a Savagnin from the Jura, [...]]]> Based in Matlock in Derbyshire, The French Wine People are importers of wines from across the regions of France.

What sets The French Wine People apart from the dozens of other smaller French specialists, apart from a nicely designed website?

Some of the more eclectic wines include a Savagnin from the Jura, a good range of aged Armagnac’s and Cognacs and I notice, of all things, a Cave amongst the sparkling/Champagne listings. The dessert wine section has a few non-French infiltrators – the Brown Brothers range from Australia and stickies from Germany and California.

Nice to see a pink Sancerre and unusual blends from Cabardes too.

Prices range from £4.50 right up to £100 plus for the top Clarets but generally sit below the £15 mark. The range is not huge but does appear to be very selective and personally chosen.

Postage is ‘at cost’ working out at £9.95 per parcel fro most of the UK but is free within 20 miles of Matlock.

The French Wine People
Hopton Courtyard
7 Snitterton Road
Matlock
Derbyshire DE4 3LZ

Several branches of Oddbins have or are in the process of being converted to the Nicolas brand (Henley-on-Thames, [...]]]> The Nicolas chain, is a French company owned by Casel, the same parent company of Oddbins. They have only recently broken out from their London heartland and now list 51 stores in the UK.

Several branches of Oddbins have or are in the process of being converted to the Nicolas brand (Henley-on-Thames, Beaconsfield for example); a shame in my opinion as the range is vastly smaller and, apart from a smattering of New World wines, is nearly exclusively France focused.

The website, has an English language version, (I dread to think what they mean by “Caution ! We do not go up the goods in the floors !” though) with prices listed in Euros.

All the French regions are covered – Champagne, Rhone, Alsace, Bordeaux etc – with good ranges across the board, although nothing from Pic St Loup is listed. Several pages of fine wines and Armagnac’s are available if you are feeling flush, while at the other end of the scale there are many special offers.

Each wine has basic details attached – a brief suggested food match, grape composition and perfunctory tasting notes (simply full bodied and the like). One indication of a wines popularity are the user votes. A pop-up box allows a grading of 1-5 grapes. I do wonder how many people can be bothered to go back and vote on a wine once consumed mind.

Many of the cheaper wines are listed with a six bottles minimum purchase, more expensive products are not restricted. Delivery to the UK costs 1 to 6 bottles : 19 EUROS TTC which I assume means multiples of 6 bottles attract the charge. No mention of free delivery with large orders.

The on-line wine list appears broader and more in-depth than the UK based stores. While not familiar with the wines listed the new store opening near me will be an excellent opportunity for exploration. Keep an eye on Spittoon for specific wine tasting notes.