Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair Top Ten

We've just returned from spending 5 busy days in London. We had the Bar Feature at this year's Country Living Magazine's Christmas Fair.

One word would describe it: MANIC

We've done the maths and here, in no particular order, are the gifts that were the 10 most popular from our stand at the show.

(Click on any link to go to the product in question on our website which opens on a new page):

Kingston Black - Somerset Cider Apple Brandy Aperitif £9.00
Glen Elgin - Cask Strength Single Malt Speyside Whisky 1991 £47.00
Bunnahabhain - Cask Strength Single Malt Islay Whisky 1997 £45.00
Caol Ila - Chill filtered Single Malt Islay Whisky 1996 £31.50
Armagnac 1988 - Chateau de Millet 70cl £32.00
Armagnac 1974 - Chateau de Millet 70cl £56.00
Edradour 10 year Old - Single Malt Whisky £32.50
Edradour Cream Liqueur - Single Malt Whisky and Cream Liqueur £13.50
Friar's Choice - Brandy based liqueur with honey and spices £17.95
Blanche d'Armagnac - Newly launched spirit from Ch. de Millet £24.50

I hope that this list easies your worries of what you should give them!

Cheers!

Big Day Saturday 3rd November

Saturday was a big day for us.

Three events to host at the shop. First Will looked after Philip Allen and friends for a wine tasting in the early afternoon and then Charles looked after Jane Wilkins and her group of hens (another group of local ladies)(I rashly agreed to wear one of their tiaras) which was fun but a bit rushed and finally Ifor hosted a regular customer's birthday party in the evening.

So..... long day but all went well. Phew.

Cheers!

Helen Jacob's Hen Party Tasting 2nd November

Last Friday, Helen the bride-to-be and eleven of her friends and family joined us for a Hen Party Wine Tasting. All local ladies, which was very nice as it was a good opportunity to introduce ourselves to some more people around Bath.

The white that stood out was our new Italian called Colbadia from Cardeto. This is a delicious Umbrian answer to the UK's love affair with Pinot Grigio. Umbria's own Orvieto is lovely but it is probably perceived as a bit old fashioned, so Colbadia was born. 75% Procanico (their name for Trebbiano and what the French call Ugni Blanc) and 25% Sauvignon Blanc. Result is fresh, zingy and very very drinkable.

Suddenly their taxis arrived and they departed. The evening had flown by.

We wish Helen all the best for the future.

Cheers!

Country Living Christmas Fair

Next week we're piling into a large van and going up to London for 5 days. We'll be exhibiting at the Country Living Christmas Fair.

We're not taking wine however, BUT we are taking:

• Vintage Armagnac


• La Blanche d’Armagnac


• Malt Whiskies


• Mead Liqueur


• Sloe Liqueur


• Port


• Rum


• Cognac


• Grappa

So come and see us. We'll be the Bar Feature in the Pavilion.

Cheers!

Gift Brochure Out Now!

Our Gift Brochure has arrived from the printers and is available in hard copy if you come into the shop or as a downloadable PDF from our website. It contains some excellent ideas for presents, whether they might be for work colleagues, favourite customers, Auntie Maggie, mad cousin Keith or in fact anybody who might enjoy some alcohol.

We can send the goods out packed in wooden boxes or cardboard packages direct to the recipient or to any address on the UK mainland or indeed they can be collected from the shop.

You can download the Brochure and its all-important accompanying Order Form, which includes the prices, from the website by clicking here.

Cheers

Popham & Woodland Tasting 27 October

Late Saturday afternoon saw two couples arrive for a tasting, bringing the news that Bath had beaten Leicester, so the mood was set for a good time.

We tasted a range of wines from various countries and had a very enjoyable few hours.

Cheers

Our Annual Woods Dinner 26th October

We were really pleased to fill Woods Restaurant's main dining room for our annual Grower's Dinner. 65 people sat down to a splendid 4 course meal accompanied by wines from the Southwest of France. Our guest, Alfonso Calderon, flew in for the event from his base near Pau. He represents several vineyards including Domaine de Bordes (Cotes de Gascogne), Clos Thou (Jurancon), Chateau Bovila (Cahors) and Chateau de Millet (Armagnac). All of which were poured during the evening. It was a really enjoyable affair. Huge thanks must go to David Price at Woods and his team who served us brilliantly throughout as well as looking after some other guests in their other room - no mean feat.

We tripped out, happily, at about 1am (some of us literally, I gather) with the hard core (Will and his brother, Tom) entertaining our guest until much later. Following the expected (and delivered) comments about the shortcomings of French international rugby and the relative talents of one Laporte, we took Alfonso to see Bath play Leicester the next day. Nursing a slight 'gueule-de-bois', he was able to see Bath thrash the visitors. Happy days!

Cheers!