I am pleased to report that, thus far in this recession, demand for our range of wines – and the value and quality they offer – remains f irm. By continuing to work closely with our suppliers and controlling all our costs carefully, we are doing our utmost to maintain those standards, along with the levels of service we have always provided.

Yet there seems to be little escaping the old cliché of being ‘caught between a rock and a hard place’. One might reasonably expect the price of wines to be coming down in the current climate of economic and market pressure, but the general impetus is in fact firmly upwards. There are four principal reasons for this.

Firstly the poor exchange rate for virtually all countries from whom we import has had an enormous effect. Secondly, the relentless increase in duty, which has rocketed by an unprecedented twenty-seven pence per bottle (before VAT) since March 2008.

Thirdly, and again despite the recession, subsidiary winery costs such as bottles and packaging have continued to rise. Finally, many regions such as the Loire valley have suffered poor harvests, with the 2008 vintage 30% lower in volume than 2007. It is hard for producers to reduce or even maintain prices when they have that much less to sell!

But all is not doom and gloom – far from it. We are proud to introduce an exciting number of new wines from around the world, which ref lect both recent trends and also innovation within more traditional areas. I would particularly draw your attention to the wines from Domaine Arnoux in the Rhône, Domaine Montrose in the Pays d’Oc, from Allamanda and Matané in Italy and from Millbrook in South Africa.

Please also remember that our buying policy provides a continual stock of superior, ready to drink wines, across all price points, from around the world.

I am also pleased to welcome Christopher Topham-Smith as our new Fine Wine Manager. Christopher joins us from Corney & Barrow and brings a broad base of wine interest and knowledge.

Happy browsing – please do not hesitate to contact Christopher, Emma, Ian, Rosie, Dick or myself to discuss your requirements further.

Charles Eaton | Managing Director

Please also contact us regarding:

• Nationwide deliveries
• Free glasses on loan
• Drinks parties requirements
• Private tastings
• Hampers and gifts available all year round

5% Quantity Discount – 5 cases or more
For larger orders please contact us to discuss

Throughout the list case sizes are:

12 x Bottles (75cl)
6 x Magnums (1.5ltr)
24 x Half Bottles (37.5cl)

or the equivalent combination