INDIES COUNT THE COST OF BREXIT
Pre-Christmas stockpiling has shielded many from the impact, but for some the problems have already arrived.
merchant profile: TIVOLI wines
Coming from an analytical background means Tivoli Wines owner David Dodd takes a remarkably methodical approach to business. It’s a policy that has reaped dividends over the past four years – but he admits that sales forecasts for even the first quarter of 2021 are essentially guesswork.
critic’s choice: define FOOD & WINE
Matt Walls is wowed by a comprehensive wine range, unbeatable brunch and a friendly team.
bright ideas
Bob McDonald at Salut in Manchester is keeping the relationship going with customers with a series of helpful online Q&As, tackling all the questions people want answering about wine.
just williams
David Williams finds himself all at sea when questioned about the best selling wines in the UK market. You may not want to drink ‘spreadsheet wines’ any more than you want to watch the Kardashians, but professional curiosity can help put things into a useful context.
zoom tasting with charles bieler
Winemaker. Adventurer. Hustler. Rosé wrangler. He’s been called all these things. So who exactly is Charles Bieler, and what are his wines all about?
RISING STARS
Every month we invite indies to nominate someone in their company who’s making a real difference to their business. They win something special from Pol Roger Portfolio. Read all about Louise Savage, who has met Status Quo and the queen as part of her work at Richardsons of Whitehaven – but most importantly has helped bring the business into the digital age.
wine shipping after brexit
VI-1s may be on hold, but there’s still a lot to take on board for any wine merchant planning to do business with wine exporters in the European Union after January 1. Chris Porter of Kukla Beverage Logistics explains the new process
Wine Merchant Top 100 supplement
We mailed out our annual Top 100 winners supplement in October. Here’s the digital version, which you can read online in page-turning PDF glory.
comings & GOINGS
New faces at Vino Vero in Essex, expansion for the Oxford Wine Co and The Old Garage, relocation for DBM in Bristol and a new bottle shop in Battle.
the burning question
How easy is it to attract younger consumers to the wine category? We asked four independent merchants for their opinions and suggestions.
NEW COMPLICATIONS FOR ORGANIC IMPORTS
Importers of organic wine from the EU will face an extra layer of red tape thanks to Brexit.
A malt whisky with your name on the label
Borders Distillery is rewarding its loyal independent customers by letting them earn their own free cask of single malt while making purchases from its spirits range.
zooming in on tannat
Nowhere is this beguiling variety more at home than in south west France, where it produces wines that aren’t simply tannic and alcoholic, but full of fruit, freshness and balance. At our Plaimont online tasting, we discovered its many facets.
digital Masterclass
Win £800 to spend on a meal for your team with a digital marketing campaign for Aster Crianza. We’re looking for ideas to inspire you from wine merchants across the globe and we’ve found a good one in New York City, involving Bob Dylan. Don’t have a Bob Dylan to hand? A Leo Sayer would work just as well.
