Fellow Wine Lovers,
I know, I know, in spite of our successful weather predictions for last weekend we have decided to stay in the wine game for the foreseeable – we have the reassurance that we can do successful forecasting if needed but frankly the wine business is far more fun. Just yesterday in fact, Alex spent 3 hours clearing up after the upstairs flat flooded and proceeded to pour water into the shop via the light fittings – you don’t get that sort of fun at the Met office!
But today it’s business as usual in many respects, with a bit of proper excitement this evening which I’ll get to later.
When we first opened the shop in 2010, we only sold wine and champagne and a bit of port. Well, actually when we first opened the shop we only sold wine because everyone was a bit suspicious of the beardy man and the one with the earring, but eventually we managed to persuade you all to hit the bubbles and fortifieds. As time went on we added a few beers into the range and 3 spirits – a whisky, a gin and a brandy. Caution was very much our watchword.
Fast forward to 2016 and where previously we struggled to fill a shelf with spirits, we now have over 30. Our increase in range, as is often the case, is led by you. In the past, cocktails you made at home would basically involve a clear spirit and a quinine based mixer. And a slice. Things have moved on and you have become more adventurous and, as a consequence, more demanding. Five years ago we wouldn’t have known where to lay our hands on Orange Bitters but now we sell them.
And we also sell other fun things. We have two Italian delights from Antica Distilleria Quaglia – a Vermouth Rosso and a Bitter. The Vermouth is deliciously tasty with a lovely herbaceousness – leagues ahead of the branded stuff we all tried as teenagers. The Bitter is also a little bit awesome – nestling midway between the sweeter style of Aperol and the bitterness of Campari, we find it extremely moreish which makes it a blessing that it comes in a litre bottle. Oh, and the Orange Bitters I mentioned earlier – made by a company called By The Dutch, these are aromatic and intense and come in a groovy little 5cl bottle with a pipette to help add a dash of science to your cocktailing.
By The Dutch Orange Bitters – £8.99
Berto Vermouth Rosso – £14.99
Berto Bitter – £21.49
Little Bird Gin
‘Small batch. Cocktail strength Gin. South London. Seductive pink-grapefruit, fresh juniper, zesty citrus, dazzling ginger.’
That’s how Little Bird describe themselves on Twitter. However, if you want to learn more about this fantastic Gin from Peckham, pop in this evening, as we are honoured to have Laura, the driving force behind the gin, in the shop. She’ll be chatting and pouring and who-knows-what-else from sometime after 5.30 and she really is a lot of fun – what better way to start a weekend than with a gin with a ginmaker and a Negroni aficionado!
Saturday Tasting
As we’re all about Gin on Friday we’ll save opening any wines until Saturday. When we do open them they will be two South African wines that we have sold since we opened but very rarely taste.
Percheron Chenin-Viognier and Percheron Cinsault (£8.19) have both consistently out-performed their price point over the years and both have a very loyal fanbase – this is your chance to join the club!
Wine School
Places are filling, get it booked before the summer engulfs you! £150 for the six weeks, term starts Wednesday 28th September – full details attached
That’s all from us for now – just make sure you remember to pop in and see Laura this evening and drink some Gin – definitely an opportunity not to be missed!