I have always chosen easily accessible wine from the supermarkets and Majestic, but its time to admit that I also go to a renowned wine merchant in Basingstoke for much of my wine.
A few years ago, I bought several vintages of a good claret to do a vertical wine tasting for some great clients in Lincoln’s Inn. I collected this parcel from Berry Bros & Rudd at their distribution centre in Houndmills just of the A339 near Basingstoke.
Next to this centre, BBR have a warehouse store, which houses the last wines of a vintage and various odds and sods. Heaven! 20-30% reduction of some cracking wines.
The whole world is represented, and some great spirits. For anyone who takes their wine drinking seriously, this is a must.
Going to BBR a few days ago, supermarkets seem a little drab. No knowledgeable young guys and gals to help you, no atmosphere of excitement and discovery. It is a long way to go if you don’t live near to Basingstoke, but well worth a day out.
Having said all that, I’m presently on a dry(ish) January. I decided that it was time to cut down a bit, and a routine medical confirmed that this was a good idea. I fully intended to write about alcohol-free wines but, the conclusion is, don’t buy them.
I have tried most and now I stick to a weak spritzer with plenty of lemon zest. I also tried alcohol-free spirits especially the Seedlip duo, Spice and Garden. Still not convinced, but the cucumber flavoured Garden can make a nice drink.
Whilst I don’t really see the point of it, it is on offer at Tesco for £20, down from £26, if you’re interested.
My view is, if you are going to do a ‘Dry January’, just take the medicine and then come February, enjoy the fermented grape juice again, and enjoy it all the more!
Pip pip
Ian Mitchell, Chairman, Bartlett Mitchell
It seems that even the most stalwart of consumers are turning to Dry January. According to some statistics 5.5M Brits start out by giving up alcohol for January. Although by Jan 20th half of those have had enough and go back to the booze, with ‘will-power’ sited as the main cause.
There can be little doubt that regulating our alcohol intake is a good thing to do for our health, sleep and general well being. What is not clear is that giving up altogether is beneficial. There have been many studies demonstrating that small amounts of alcohol in our daily diets contribute to health and longevity.
In line with the fad diets then it is not clear that Dry January is beneficial to our well-being.
Maybe some of the older generations had it right. My Grandma would have an entire bar of Cadburys chocolate in the sideboard for a month, savouring just one square a day with mid morning coffee. She lived until she was 99. Perhaps we heed the less, and little but often rules to moderate our alcohol intake and enjoy it all the more?
Alistair Morrell, Hospitality & Catering News, Wine & Drinks Editor
