Tim Atkin in the Observer (20 July 2008) takes a bit of a swipe at the new owners of Oddbins, and bemoans the way the wine merchant has developed in recent years. Certainly it is not quite as good as it was in its heyday when even as a small competitor wine merchant, I could recommend Oddbins with little hesitation – an interesting range, keen prices and particularly knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff who never disappointed.
OK so nowadays it has lost some of its quirkiness and originality and is a bit more like the rest of the national wine merchant chains – a tad more formulaic and with a narrower range. The staff still seem helpful though (at least in my local branches) and it still feels more like a wine merchants than a convenience store! And they do have some good wines:-
Tim highlights:
I liked the soft, grassy, smoothly textured 2007 Saumur, Réserve des Vignerons (£6.95, 12%) and the modern style, sensitively oaked, sturdy yet polished 2004 Château de Crouseilles, Madiran Premium (£11.99, 14%), made from Tannat and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Interesting because these are both wine styles which are usually difficult to get right, and at these price points have to be worth a try! See www.oddbins.co.uk
[...] a few weeks after a less-than-glowing review of their wine selection by Tim Atkin the Observer following its acquisition a year or so ago by French owners Castel, we hear that the chain has now [...]