Posted by Andrew Chapman on May 12th 11:55am. Leave a comment
Every Friday at about 5.30am the alarm goes off and Andrew crawls out of bed - all in the name of business. And a good breakfast, because he's off to Oxygen Business Forum. It's a collective of like-minded business owners who were so fed up of the formulaic business clubs with their emphasis on how much business you could get from everyone who came, that they decided to form their own club. Aleady the members have run a mini-marathon to raise funds for Helen and Douglas House, a local children's hospiceand have just adopted a school with the aim of giving something back to the community.
One of the members there is Hilary Farmer who practices Human Givens Therapyand teaches dyslexic students. She's got a master’s degree in education and firmly believes that we're all born needing essential things like love, security, fun and friendship. It's when those needs aren't met that things go awry. Hilary uses storytelling to gently get to the heart of a problem, and to help her client explore it.
Every week she comes up with a new story for the members of Oxygen. We thought you might like to listen in. We're hoping to bring you one of these a week. But for now, as the news of human tragedies in Burma and China comes in, and we worry about the credit crunch at home, please enjoy Hilary's take on the tale of the widow's mite - with a modern twist.
I've been thinking for a while now that I'd like to open up the conversation on Surf4Wine...
Meaning what I hear you ask?
Well, getting more of you involved. Making it easier for visitors and customers to talk to us - and each other. To give their comments and ask questions. Even to start their own conversations… power to the people!
To make talking about, thinking about and drinking wine easier and more fun.
We can even roll this idea out to wine buying too. You can get involved, if you want, in helping to chose wines we stock by voting on favourite grape varieties, countries and regions. Even producers.
You can help us tailor offers and promotions to what YOU want, not what we think you want.
Sure, we have our opinions, and we like to think we are experts. But we are always happy to learn ... and find out what our visitors and customers want
Posted by Andrew Chapman on May 3rd 8:14am. 1 comment
A long, good Friday... It started with breakfast in Oxford at 7am, paper-work and customer stuff at warehouse in middle, called in to see friends Shelley and Richard at The Radnor Arms in Coleshill late afternoon (we are possibly organising a wine supper there with Saint Clair estate coming to visit later this month - watch this space for more info), and was rounded off by a lovely supper at the Eyston Arms in nearby East Hendred.
Eyston Arms's is one of Alison and my favourite places to eat locally. The food is modern, using good ingredients well prepared, with just the right dash of imagination to help things along the way. Unstuffy, friendly service by an all female team that combines cheerfulness and professionalism. Relaxing end to a long day. Didn't drink much, just a glass of the house Languedoc Rosé that was nice and refreshing. We weren't in a wine mood as we had to do Friday night taxi ferrying of teenagers... except that when we got back the one that was going out later had, by then, decided not to, and the one that was out already decided to walk back with friends. Oh well, such is life with kids!
Tonight’s wine... Anyway, by then we thought we deserved a glass of something, so I opened a bottle of Bonarda, Colonia las Liebres 2006 from Argentina that I'd brought home from warehouse with me. To be honest, I hadn't tasted/drunk this wine in quite a while, so was interested how it was doing. I know I thought it was excellent value when we started listing it again last Summer.
Nice punchy, damsony red fruit flavours. Good acidity/tannin grip (Bonarda can be, I sometimes think, a bit too acidic if not fully ripe. Which is why I like mine from South America, where there's a bit more sunshine, and not its native home of northern Italy) . As is typical for the grape, this red and was happily full-bodied (Alison is not a fan of light wines, and she had done the driving earlier, I figured we'd best stay in safe territory!).
On the back-label it proudly boasts unfiltered and unoaked. I'm delighted about the latter in particular as too many commercial wines use oak to add 'interest' and 'flavour', when all this actually does is mask the fruit flavour of the wine and add too much artificial tasting vanilla and other unattractive aromas and flavours. Happily more and more pubs and restaurants are starting to think more about their wines and put more thought into their lists, especially their house wines. Over-oaked reds are not food food-friendly people!
The lack of oak in this wine really lets the plummy, ripe fruit scream out. Nice weight, good grip. Well put together, interesting wine. Would work well with Pasta and rich sauces as the acidity would balance things and there's masses of good fruit. And, I think, still good value at £6.99.
Incidentally, the Bonarda Colonia las Liebres is made by Altos los Hormigas, and I have brought their Malbec home this week-end to try too. Look out for a note here... It's May Bank Holiday week-end in UK, so, HOPEFULLY, sun will shine and we'll get to drink some nice wines too. Have my sister Debbie and her family coming for Supper, so off shopping now... Wells Stores first stop.
Being firm Apprentice fans in this house it made us all roll around on floor laughing...
But seriously Sir Alan, would you want any of this lot working for you??
Is this really the cream of young business talent in the UK? I hope other countries aren't watching otherwise we will be even more of a laughing stock than we already are (we have the only PM in the world, as far as I'm aware, who admits to being part of one of his own 'on the job' training courses. Not that I'm batting for any political team here I hasten to add... they all remind me too much of tonight's Apprentice candidates in the closing sequence...)
Would be fantastic fun if Alan Sugar had some sort of hidden web cam in the candidates house that recorded all the petty, jealous, spiteful and insanely childish in-fighting and showed it back to them at beginning of next weeks challenge. And then said 'after this lot I don't want any of you, you're ALL fired!'. But that wouldn't make great television, would it?
Posted by Andrew Chapman on April 22nd 8:07pm. Leave a comment
Just a quick Blog post as I'm feeling immensely proud...
Kelvin, our in-house resident web-guru and all-round web/IT genius has just put the finishing touches to our new podcast system. Thanks Kelv!
Not only have we developed a first class and very cool podcasting system for SurfWine, but my interview with Jeff Rosenmeier from Lovibonds neatly demonstrates the flexibility of this new system too. We really are very lucky to have someone has talented as Kelvin on our team here... and we have more great stuff to come in weeks/months ahead.
But the main thing is not to pat ourselves on the back, or to let technology take over, but to make sure you have a great time whenever you visit surf4wine. Hope you like...
PS Look out for our next podcast... we have the beer-bug at the minute and this next post will be a great follow-on to my interview with Jeff...
So, I thought I was being very clever yesterday by trotting off to local Gym with son Douglas and while he and his mate lifted weights and worked out (they both play national league Basketball and are of an age where they can eat what they like and still not put on the pounds - unlike us 40+ wine merchants!). I ran 2K moderately easily, stopped for some much needed water and ran another 1K. Felt great, had a Sauna. Fantastic!
Woke up this morning, fully intending to hit the road and carry on the good work by doing some running. Ouch my poor knee! I think it is trying to tell me that a life of eating and drinking is taking it's toll and not to be so stupid. But I managed .5K uphill, and then a bit of a walk to try and at least maintain momentum.
Something tells me this is going to be a long-haul to the start line in London on 6th July!
Anyway, being a glutton for punishment, and as if my poor aching knee wasn't warning enough, to get me in the mood for 10K on 6th July I'm also planning on running in the first ever Oxford Run for Moore. This in aid of the Bobby Moore Fund, which raises money for research into bowel cancer. The event is on Sunday 8th June, and as soon as I have registered I will post information for anyone that feels like sponsoring me.
Given Alison's illness with breast cancer I badly wanted to run for that charity, but the Race for Life is women only event. This years Oxford Race for Life is being held in University Park on Saturday 7th June, the day before the Run for Moore.
So, having overdone it and started like a Greyhound out of the Blocks, I think it's time to pace myself... a night off training tonight I think, and rest the knee. Which really only leaves the question of what to drink...?
Posted by Andrew Chapman on April 14th 11:46pm. Leave a comment
Only this morning I managed to astonish my wife. This doesn't happen very often, as Mrs C is a graduate with an honours degree, her father was on Mastermind and Brain of Britain, and she's an all-round smart cookie. (Well, she married me.)
She honestly had no idea how champagne is made. After a lot of teasing, she eventually confessed that she'd assumed that the wine was made bubbly by some kind of industrial Sodastream.
The French are notoriously protective of the name "champagne" - even forcing a famous perfume maker to stop marketing a fragrance bearing the name. It's a name protected by EU law, so they're not going to be happy when I tell you that champagne was invented by (whisper it) an Englishman in the 17th century.
It was the scientist and physician Christopher Merret who first wrote down the Méthode Champenoise - the idea of making the wine ferment a second time in the bottle by adding sugar. Legend says the venerable Dom Pérignon invented sparkling wine, but Christopher Merret got there a good thirty years before him.
So, next time you see a Frenchman looking smug and extolling the virtues of Champagne and how they created the world's best sparkling wine (most probably true, although they are getting a run for their money from some New World areas - and who knows what effect enlarging the demarcated Champagne region will have on quality), don't forget to tell them it was an Englishman that invented it first!
In times of credit crunches and soaring prices, Surf4Wine's very own house champagne Gremillet Brut Sélection offers excellent value @ £19.99. It recently beat all of the top houses and famous names of Champagne to win the International Wine & Spirit Competition Trophy for best NV Brut Champagne. If you feel like pushing the boat out with something a little richer and more intense then why not try 'D de Devaux' from Champagne Devaux @ £29.99. Utterly gorgeous, utterly irresistible - perfect with strawberries this Summer.
** This is an excerpt from a piece we recently wrote for a local magazine. And yes, we are most definitely available for writing articles and any kind of copy for wine related publications, be they web sites, magazines, newspapers or anything else. Mrs C. (Alison) is a trained journalist and Mr. C. (Andrew) knows his wine! We also have access to an incredible video production team as well as still photographers
Posted by Andrew Chapman on April 10th 1:34am. Leave a comment
Our techy team, AKA Kelvin our in-house resident web genius, has been busily putting the finishing touches to our new podcasting system over the last couple of weeks.
I'm pleased to say that this has now gone live - please do take a look - we think it's pretty neat!
It is place where we can take you to let you see and listen to all our audio and video, whether they are me on the radio or interviews with winemakers, or virtual wine tastings by video.
You can play them right there, or down load them in whatever is your preferred format - even into iTunes and onto your favourite mobile device or iPod.
Look out for more videos and audio to come very soon...
Posted by Andrew Chapman on March 26th 9:19am. Leave a comment
Have you caught the 'Thunder' yet? In case you haven't, check it out: Wine Library TV.
The web phenomenon that is Gary Vaynerchuck is sweeping all before it (use of 'phenomenon' is deliberate - Gary V is all over the web at the moment, from new media and technology conferences to his own web site, not forgetting Twitter posts every few minutes. Does he ever sleep??). Great article on Gary here: Wine, Video and the Cult of Gary
Definitely worth telling more people about Gary and his Thunder shows, and happy to try to do that on our little 'ole blog :)
Gary also posts on his personal web site, with some great insights about getting the passion out there. With honesty! And yes, I'm aware most wine bloggers will already know about Gary - I'm hoping we can let a few non-blogging wine drinkers know about him too. Although I'd say they could probably hear him 'Thundering' in America all the way over here in not so sunny UK - even without the internet! Yup, that Gary sure is loud - but hey, he loves his wine and wants you all to know. And that's all good in my book.
Posted by Andrew Chapman on November 22nd 2007 12:47pm. Leave a comment
We are currently out of stock of Cloudy Bay wines. We are working at
getting more in very soon - hopefully in time for Christmas.
Of all
the Cloudy Bay wines the Sauvignon Blanc is the most sought after - at least if
our sales and enquiries are anything to go by. So, while we are waiting on the
arrival of more Cloudy Bay we can recommend some excellent, award-winning New
Zealand Sauvignon's from our list, all of which make great alternatives to
Cloudy Bay.
To make things more fun, take a look at the video below of
me tasting some of them. Find a full list of our suggested
Cloudy
Bay Sauvignon Blanc alternatives here, including a mixed taster case to
try.
Posted by Andrew Barrow on November 6th 2007 1:12pm. Leave a comment
While Mr Parker doesn't quite have the influence on this side of the pond as he does in his home country (his proclamations of Bordeaux clarets aside) his reviews certainly give an independent review of wines from, what is after-all, one of the most respected palates in the world.
Penny's Hill Fortified Vintage Shiraz 2005 (91 points) "Purple/black in colour, it has aromas of coffee, mocha, fig and blackberry liqueur that leap from the glass. At 18% alcohol the wine is full-bodied, sweet and rich. How it will age is anyone's guess but it can be enjoyed over the next 10-15 years with cashews, walnuts and a Cuban stogie." £27.50
Mitolo Jester Cabernet Sauvignon (92 points) "Includes 20% dried grapes in the style of Amarone. Purple-coloured, it has a fragrant bouquet of black fruits, tar and violets. This leads to a smooth-textured, layered, dense wine with enough structure to evolve for 4-6 years. It has a long, pure finish and can be enjoyed over the next 15-20 years. It is a superb value." £9.99
Mount Horrocks 'Cordon Cut' Riesling 2006 (90 points) "Is sweet but has no botrytis. Gold-coloured. It has a lovely floral and tropical fruit perfume, mango and kiwi flavours and vibrant acidity. Drink it with fruit tarts and cheese cake." £14.75
Posted by Andrew Barrow on November 5th 2007 2:41pm. Leave a comment
A little rant if you don't mind.
Everyday I take phone calls form people trying to sell us something - building insurance, telephone systems, health plans, company vans, even the occasional palate of wine. Just now I took a call from Easyjet - a woman trying to sell advertising on their website. Now I am quite used to my initial 'no we are not interested thank you' being ignored. Usually the - 'no we are a small company with no budget at the moment for advertising; we prefer to invest in quality products' ends the conversation.
For this call the word pushy doesn't cover it. My second 'no we don't have a budget' gets talked over, a raise in the voice to nearly a shrill squawk, and the implied hatred was really quite extreme. At least I had the decency to be quiet when the other person was talking rather than the attempt to shout out the script. The details I forget but 5 million ABC1 page views for £5000 or something.
The third "no we don't... " reply resulted in a a rude rant with the 'marvellous offer' being withdrawn and the phone was slammed down.
She's obviously not making her targets!
As I cool down and resist the temptation to waste even more time in lodging a complaint against her, an image from one of the newly created Christmas packs - this is The Case For An American Christmas a mix of beer and wine (£80).
Deep breath... relax... and dream of the luscious texture of that Saintsbury Chardonnay...
Posted by Andrew Barrow on October 29th 2007 4:17pm. Leave a comment
As recommended in Waitrose Magazine
Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2003
"Allegrini continues to produce some of Italy's most stylish red wines. This concentrated, modern blend of Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara is dense and chewy; it's heavy with flavours and smells of plums, cherries, liquorice, chocolate and Christmas Cake."
Posted by Andrew Barrow on October 29th 2007 11:57am. Leave a comment
From the November issue of Decanter written by Simon Woods:
"In search of a signature
South Africa has long struggled for a wine around which to pin its identity. But with critics increasingly lauding Cape Sauvignon Blanc, could this be the variety to fit the bill, asks Simon Woods?
Great Sauvignon Blanc, South African-style
Quando Robertson 2007***** (5 stars)
Powerful yet restrained, herb-scented lemon and lime, but also touches of nettles and gunflint. Up to 2011."
Posted by Andrew Barrow on October 22nd 2007 1:00pm. Leave a comment
I don't think these will be wines we stock anytime soon - and I can't really see the point of them apart from stoking controversy and thus publicity.
Back in September Italian police confiscated 20,000 bottles of wine from the 'Der Fuhrer' range made by Vini Lunardelli, on the basis that they represented 'a glorification of the perpetrators of crimes against humanity'.
The labels certainly look like they glorify Nazism to me but Lunardelli also has labels depicting Napoleon, Franz Joseph, Churchill, Stalin and Roosevelt in addition to Hitler and Mussolini.
I could understand the attraction if the bottles were historically interesting, actual bottles of the time, but why would you produce them now? According to Decanter Andrea Lunardelli was able to convince the judges that he had no political agenda so the wines are released and available for sale.
Posted by Andrew Barrow on October 18th 2007 10:46am. Leave a comment
The major wine, or rather alcohol, related news story over the last few days has been concerned with the high alcohol consumption of the wealthy middle classes.
The BBC covers the story well highlighting affluent places such as Harrogate, Woking and Guildford as 'hazardous drinking hot-spots', which sounds more like a motorway tanker spillage than a drinking issue.
We sell alcohol. Such news stories are not in our interest, but are the likes of the BBC and the Daily Mail really going to have everyone reaching for the fruit juice? While we are not disputing that excessive alcohol intake is damaging our rule is 'a little of what you fancy'.
Coincidentally Mr C proffered a glass of something cool and white earlier - an Australian wine with just 8.5% alcohol.
Trentham Estate Two Thirds 2007 is a blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc; a wine that they claim has "only two thirds the alcoholic strength of a normal white wine". A level that many German wines are still set at. But this is Australian where big alcohol is pretty much the norm. The Trentham website also proclaims the wine has "40% less carbs and jouls".
Not sure if this is dealcoholised or just fermented to a low level. But it is generally dry, light, typically Semillon/Sauvignon on the nose and palate and does taste like a 'normal' wine. Until you get to the finish. Here the flavours dissipate quickly and, where you expect the alcoholic weight to be, there is little more than a disappointing damp-squib.
No decision yet made on whether the Trentham Two Thirds will be listed. We currently list several wines from the Trentham Estate
Posted by Andrew Barrow on October 16th 2007 1:59pm. Leave a comment
An email has just arrived. It's an announcement that one of our champagne's - the Gremillet Brut Selection NV - has just been awarded the Wine and Spirit Competition 2007 Trophy for Best None Vintage Champagne!
"Whilst we cannot mention their names, I'm sure that the competition was tough with all the big Champagne houses entering their examples of Non-Vintage champagnes. The IWSC seems to attract the prestigious houses and is judged to be one of the most rigorously-judged competitions"
It is a total coincidence that we put up the Gremillet Brut Selection as our Wine of the Week yesterday. But it is on offer with a £2 a bottle discount taking it to just £16.99!
Posted by Andrew Barrow on October 7th 2007 3:57pm. Leave a comment
Very nice of Wine and Spirits magazine to give us a plug in the latest issue.
They write that this Sauvignon
"... also merits attention. Ripe but restrained with lemon, herb, mineral and light green pepper flavours, it's a wine that impresses at the table rather than the tasting bench"
Sounds great, does it not. Sadly we dont actually stock the wine in question.
Posted by Andrew Chapman on October 7th 2007 9:15am. Leave a comment
I signed up for Twitter today, so I can Twitter about wine, life and the Universe (i.e. Blog) when not in office, or in front of my laptop. (This style of updates has been described as "micro-blogging").
Anyway, this idea gets its first proper outing Monday 8th October when I'm off to the Wines of South Africa Mega-tasting in London. Monday and Tuesday are for the Trade, (i.e. us!), then the general public next two days.
But as most of you who know me will testify, I never stop Twittering about wine, one way of another, so you're sure to get lots of WineTwitters here!
Posted by Andrew Barrow on October 5th 2007 4:22pm. Leave a comment
Might be something to do with the England-Australia rugby match tomorrow but Australian beers - Hahn Premium in particular - have been flying out.
I hadn't realised quite how much of a following Hahn has created. Chatting to an Australian friend of mine alerted me to the hilarious adverts for the award winning beer. (Is Hahn award winning or is it the adverts; not too sure on that score). Any road-up the power that is the internet lets all see these adverts...
Now I will admit that I am yet to try the Maury so have no idea how it will stand up to the competition. Not even sure who the competition is to be truthful!
UPDATE: Looks like we were slightly mis-informed. The competition was for a pairing of Roussillon dessert wine with a dish prepared by a restaurant chef. Our wine was there for tasting but wasn't used in a pairing. It did give me the opportunity to have a quick slurp - and an amazing wine it is too, stunning in fact. An amazing wine that could be sipped on its own, with a selection of nuts or chocolate, a quality piece of blue cheese or a treacle tart.
Posted by Andrew Barrow on September 19th 2007 1:46pm. Leave a comment
You have probably heard it all before but red wine is good for you.
Not a startling revelation to those who follow the news but a new book The Red Wine Diet by scientist Roger Corder, states that drinking red wine regularly is good for just about everything from heart disease and diabetes through to dementia.
"The book is an outgrowth of a 2006 article in Nature magazine by Corder, 51, a cardiovascular expert and professor of therapeutics at London's William Harvey Research Institute, in which he identified procyanidin, a ``vasoactive polyphenol,'' as the chemical in wine grapes that helps reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and overall mortality."
It was resveratrol that earlier studies stated was responsible for the 'French Paradox', (by which the French can consume large amounts of fat and wine yet have lower rates of heart disease and live longer than Americans).
This new book insists there is so little resveratrol in wine that only by consuming 100's of litres a day would any benefits be gained, when of course the alcohol ingested would counter any benefits. He now suggests that a "nice half-bottle a day gives you all the procyanidins you need for the same effect".
Which is about three glasses!
And which wines are the best for these procyanidins? According to the book it is Italian reds (specifically from Sicily) and wines made from the Tannat and Malbec grapes that are most beneficial.
Posted by Andrew Barrow on September 17th 2007 4:27pm. Leave a comment
We are running a little competition over in the Oxford Mail where you can win one of six bottles of Devaux Champagne.
Unfortunately I can't find a direct link to their website for you to enter but have copied the following from the printed publication:
"For your chance to win one of these exciting prizes, simply write the answer to the question below on a postcard and send it, together with your name, address and a daytime telephone number to:
Champagne Devaux / Andrew Chapman Fine Wines
Competition,
Oxfordshire Limited Edition,
Osney Mead, Oxford OX2 OEJ
to arrive no later than Friday, September 21,2007.
The question is : What is the name of the area in the south of Champagne where
Champagne Devaux can be found? And if you want a hint...
We should mention that normal Newsquest competition rules apply.
Posted by Andrew Barrow on September 6th 2007 5:18pm. Leave a comment
Not sure how much weight you give to awards in general but the annual shin-dig that is the Louis Roederer International Wine Writers' Awards 2007 has just announced their writers awards.
Nothing earth-shattering (Andrew Jefford is International Wine Writer of the Year 2007) but we did notice that the The Ott Award for Annual Wine Guides 2007 went to Philip van Zyl for the John Platter South African Wine Guide.
I believe we are the only place you can buy this particular guide from in the UK. Retail price, including delivery, just £12.95.
Posted by Andrew Barrow on August 27th 2007 12:56pm. Leave a comment
It's Bank Holiday and, to be truthful, I don't really want to be here; but Mr C bribed me with two days off if I 'popped in'. Good thing I did really as the phone hasn't stopped ringing since I got here.
Orders, stock inquiries, a nice chat with a gent about Ice Wine and just a few moments ago a nice chat with a lovely sounding lady.
She was after a few bottles of Cullen Semillon-Sauvignon and a top-up of TMV White. All of which were in stock. Her name rang a bell - Sarah Ahmed.
"Having practised as a solicitor for 12 years, I started off my wine career with multi-award winning wine merchants Oddbins in 2000. I’ve since literally steeped myself in wine knowledge and struck out on my own in 2005 as The Wine Detective to present tastings and write about wine. I regularly write for specialist wine magazines including The World of Fine Wine, Harpers (the Wine and Spirit Weekly) and Wine & Spirit and have contributed to the wine publications The World Atlas of Wine, Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book and Oz Clarke's Pocket Wine Book.
Hands on experience includes working at wineries in Spain (Bodegas Torres), South Africa (Boekenhoutskloof) and Australia (Cullen) [which explains part of the order!] and an introduction to winemaking course at Plumpton College, Sussex. "
We don't normally give out customers names, (don't worry Mr Peters, your secret love is safe with us), but Sarah is widely acclaimed as a great wine tasting host (the fact she is recommending our wines is another bonus) so I hope she doesn't mind the mention and a little publicity!
Posted by Andrew Barrow on August 27th 2007 12:38pm. Leave a comment
While flipping through an old issue of Wine & Spirit Magazine, the April 2007 to be precise I stumbled across this recommendation for Zig Zag Zin.
Now I love a decent Zinfandel, none of your blush-stuff thank you, but a full, flavoursome delicious interpretation of California's native, State grape (although I don't actually think Arnie made it the state grape...)
This Zinfandel slips down a treat. Remember Jammie Dodger biscuits? There's something of them in here, along with spicy bramble helly flavours, earthy herb flavours and a punchy finish. Truly a smokin' wine.
10:52am 12/05 Twitter coming of age: http://tinyurl.com/3nklu7. Story via BBC/Robert Scoble. I'm a news junkie and tech-lover, so nice overlap for me :)
9:07am 12/05 Andrew wants to break out the Bar-B-Q for supper tonight, Alison says Risotto with chicken from yesterday. 'Yes wife' is the correct reply!
9:06am 12/05 I could almost believe we are going to have a good Summer if this weather continues!
Andrew Chapman Fine Wines Ltd - Registered office: 264 Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 7DY Registered in England. Company no. 5496317. VAT no. GB873 7934 72. You must be aged 18 or over to order.
+44 (0)1235 821539
Your trolley is empty.
A long, good Friday... It started with breakfast in Oxford at 7am, paper-work and customer stuff at warehouse in middle, called in to see friends Shelley and Richard at 
Just a quick Blog post as I'm feeling immensely proud...
Started my training for the 
Anyway, being a glutton for punishment, and as if my poor aching knee wasn't warning enough, to get me in the mood for 10K on 6th July I'm also planning on running in the first ever Oxford 
Given Alison's illness with breast cancer I badly wanted to run for that charity, but the 
Only this morning I managed to astonish my wife. This doesn't happen very often, as Mrs C is a graduate with an honours degree, her father was on Mastermind and Brain of Britain, and she's an all-round smart cookie. (Well, she married me.)
Our techy team, AKA Kelvin our in-house resident web genius, has been busily putting the finishing touches to our new podcasting system over the last couple of weeks.
While Mr Parker doesn't quite have the influence on this side of the pond as he does in his home country (his proclamations of Bordeaux clarets aside) his reviews certainly give an independent review of wines from, what is after-all, one of the most respected palates in the world.
A little rant if you don't mind.
As recommended in Waitrose Magazine
From the November issue of Decanter written by Simon Woods:
I don't think these will be wines we stock anytime soon - and I can't really see the point of them apart from stoking controversy and thus publicity.
The major wine, or rather alcohol, related news story over the last few days has been concerned with the high alcohol consumption of the wealthy middle classes.
An email has just arrived. It's an announcement that one of our champagne's - the 
Very nice of Wine and Spirits magazine to give us a plug in the latest issue.
I signed up for 
Off to London in awhile to attend the 
You have probably heard it all before but red wine is good for you.
by scientist Roger Corder, states that drinking red wine regularly is good for just about everything from heart disease and diabetes through to dementia.
We are running a little competition over in the 
Not sure how much weight you give to awards in general but the annual shin-dig that is the Louis Roederer International Wine Writers' Awards 2007 has just announced their writers awards.
It's Bank Holiday and, to be truthful, I don't really want to be here; but Mr C bribed me with two days off if I 'popped in'. Good thing I did really as the phone hasn't stopped ringing since I got here.
While flipping through an old issue of Wine & Spirit Magazine, the April 2007 to be precise I stumbled across this recommendation for Zig Zag Zin.
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