Wine Fair News

Last week we held our annual Wine Fair at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall. With about 150 guests slurping, swilling and (just occasionally) spitting it was, all in all, a memorable evening. There’s a fine line to be drawn at these affairs between out and out party and serious tasting as it is a splendid opportunity for all to improve their wine knowledge and develop their palate. We do, however, seem to get it right every year and the overwhelmingly positive feedback we got was certainly proof of the pudding. Oh, and we took a few nice wine orders as well – thanks everybody, buyers, sellers and staff for making it go so well. Next year’s date is 22^nd November 2012, hopefully at the same venue.

Everybody at WIC had their favourites –

Julian – Epicuro Aglianico; Rex Goliath Zinfandel; Pouilly Fumé Michel Bailly.

Nigel – Chablis 1er Cru Montmains, Simmonet Febvre; Logan Orange Chardonnay; Riesling Grand Cru, Wunsch et Mann; Curatolo Dulce Marsala.

Mike – Santa Alicia Carmenere Reserva; Auxey Duresses 1er cru, Comte Armand; Chateau Blanville Grand Cuvee.

Jonathan – Michaud Touraine Sauvignon; Tamar Ridge Dry Riesling; Rex Goliath Zinfandel.

Dick – Lyngrove Chenin Blanc; Chablis 1er Cru Montmains, Simmonet Febvre; Paul Mas Viognier; Epicuro Aglianico; Dogpoint Sauvignon Blanc.

Keeping up with the best

On Wednesday this week The Cornwall Tourism Awards were held and we are delighted that a number of our customers again featured in the top players in the county.

As both winners of one of these prestigious awards (on several occasions) whilst running Trengilly Wartha and latterly as part-time judges, Nigel and Mike are well aware of the importance of this scheme and the effect it will have on future business.

So massive congratulations to The Victoria Inn at Perranuthnoe and The Kitchen Tearoom and Restaurant in Polperro who both received Bronze Awards in the Taste of Cornwall category; Hotel Penzance, Silver in the Small Hotel category; Trebah Gardens, Gold in the large visitor attraction section; Penleee House, Penzance, Gold in the small visitor attraction category; Gwel an Mor, Portreath who picked up Gold for Caravan, Camping and Holiday Park and Village of the Year as well as a special award to their hospitality Team for "Outstanding Customer Service" and finally, The Pendragon Country House in Davidstow who collected a Bronze Award in the B&B and Guest Accommodation category.

Corkscrews and Screwfix!!?

Much excitement in Penryn this week as the new branch of Screwfix opens very nearby - we’re hoping that people who buy screws also like wine!

We’ve been gradually upping the profile of our “shed” since the summer as we endeavour to improve our retail presence locally. We toyed with the idea of taking a separate retail unit but the logistics of a split site just didn’t add up in the end. When the trees were removed from outside the front of our warehouse it became clear that it was more efficient to make the best of what we’ve got. You will notice some significant changes inside and out over the coming months.

Last week’s Budock Vean Gourmet dinners went well and next month we are organising a Gala Champagne dinner in association with Veuve Clicquot at the hotel which should set the pulses racing. Busy all round at the moment – lots of tastings and of course the annual wine fair coming up at the Maritime Museum on 24^th November.

Best bottles recently have been a taut, concentrated Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from Isabel Estate, a gloriously mature Urgoiti Rioja Reserva 2001 and the oh-so-easy Delaforce His Eminence’s Choice (and very good value) 10 year old Tawny – all downhill to Christmas now, hey ho!