Category Archives: Wine Merchants

The Solent Cellar – Like a London Wine Shop in a Sleepy South Coast Town

I am working through my list of feature articles about some very special wine merchants. I’ve written about Feral Art et Vin in Bordeaux, and Butlers Wine Cellar in Brighton. Next up, The Solent Cellar in Lymington, Hampshire. Lymington is, … Continue reading

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Missing Out – Tutto Wines Trade Tasting in Edinburgh

One or two of my readers may be aware that I have been struck low with a virus this week. Not only has that meant an involuntary wine detox, but it has also tested my addiction to writing, just at … Continue reading

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Basket Press Wines Spring Tasting at Spry in Edinburgh – This is Very Much a New Wine Frontier Now

Monday 18 March was the date for the Basket Press Wines Spring Tasting for the trade, held at Spry Wines, the wonderful restaurant/wine bar/natural wine shop in Central Edinburgh. Now, I know I’ve brought you a lot of articles on … Continue reading

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Butlers Wine Cellar – The Evolving Nature of Wine Retail in Brighton

A lot of you read my “interview” with Feral Art & Vin in Bordeaux last month. I think I mentioned that it was the first in a short series on wine shops which rock my wine world, and for the … Continue reading

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Rewilding Bordeaux – Feral Art & Vin Three Years On (Natural Wine in that Bastion of Conservative Taste)

Back in March 2021 Russell Faulkner and his wife, Sema, opened Feral Art & Vin in the heart of the old city of Bordeaux. To open a shop selling natural wines, alongside art exhibitions, and indeed to stock around 50% … Continue reading

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Wine Prices – A Bit of a Moan

Over the period since Brexit and the Covid pandemic the prices of individual bottles of wine I have bought for years have unquestionably gone up…and considerably. I can think of wines which perhaps cost in the low £30s back in … Continue reading

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Review of the Year 2023

My Review of the Year 2023 marks a new phase in my life. I can’t really say career, because as far as wine goes, it isn’t a conventional one (and I think, to many working in wine in my new … Continue reading

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Basket Press – New Vintages in Edinburgh

The last of the Edinburgh tastings for November featured some new wines from Basket Press Wines, actually tasted outdoors on a lovely mid-November lunchtime. It doesn’t always rain here, contrary to the myths put about down south. You will doubtless … Continue reading

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Modal Wines Edinburgh Tasting at Spry, November 2023

Modal Wines held their Edinburgh Trade Tasting on 6 November at Spry Wines which, at 1 Haddington Place, is at the top of Leith Walk. For anyone who doesn’t know Spry, it is a natural wine-focused bar and restaurant which … Continue reading

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Cork & Cask Winter Wine Fair 2023 (Part 3): Vine Trail, Southern Spain and Arran Whisky

Parts 1 and 2 of my selections from the Cork & Cask Winter Wine Fair contained wines from six small independent importers. Part 3 Shows some wines from Vine Trail, along with some delicious gems from Southern Spain poured on … Continue reading

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