I make no secret of the fact that Yapp Bros have always been my idea of the almost perfect independent wine merchant – great enthusiasts and knowledgeable specialists in specific regions (especially outside Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne) – yet with an informal and approachable style, a fun but informative wine list/website AND taking risks by selecting lesser known (or even unknown) wine regions. In Yapp’s case the focus has tended to be the Loire and the Rhone (although not to the exclusion of other regions of France, or even Australia), their list is always something to look forward to, and they have premises which are ideal for enjoying wine in an old brewery in Mere in Wiltshire just off the A303.
Now they have updated their website (www.yapp.co.uk) in true Yapp style, which is a delight on the eye, but also easy to navigate. The site has some new functionality including an “Easy wine selector”, wine maps and regions and a food and wine matcher! So you select your food category and they’ll suggest suitable wines rom their list – so for example for Blue Cheese they propose some predictable dessert wines such as a Jurancon or Coteaux du Layon, but also interestingly suggest some red Crozes Hermitage from the northern Rhone.
So for more info see www.yapp.co.uk
Why almost perfect? Well, they are too far from where I live to pop in and enjoy the ambience of their cellars and attend their sales and tastings. The website is a good alternative though.
PS No, we’re not sponsored by Yapp in any way!
