In these extraordinary times when we need to stay at home, The Wine Tipster recommends some great drinks companies for online delivery to your homes. We are fortunate to have so many wonderful choices in the Cotswolds
Article by Neil Phillips, The Wine Tipster @TheWineTipster broadcaster/presenter/tipster/mc on drink, food and horse racing.
The Woodchester Vineyard near Stroud is on a high having just won a prestigious GOLD Medal for their 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, the only UK produced Sauvignon Blanc! They won their Gold Medal in the Global Sauvignon Blanc Masters, organised by The Drinks Business, and they were one of only 10 wines to be awarded a Gold medal from hundreds of entries.
I first tasted their Sauvignon Blanc 2018 at the Wines of Great Britain press tasting and I was wowed by the quality of this wine, as I was with the rest of their range, featuring other still whites, rosé and sparkling wines. Winemaker Jeremy Mount, who worked in New Zealand, is doing a great job, as is founder Fiona Shiner who has built an impressive business, with 45 acres under vine located in Amberley, Woodchester and Doverow Hill (Stonehouse).
Free delivery on all case orders (6 bottles minimum; mainland UK only) can be placed by calling M: 07710605558 or emailing: info@woodchestervalleyvineyard.co.uk
• Slurp
Slurp is a very well established premium online wine spirits and beers business, which also has an excellent shop in Banbury, which would normally have lots of events. However, during the current COVID-19 situation their shop is closed, although, they are serving NHS, Police, Fire Service, Teachers and Care Workers between 10am-4pm Mon-Fri. Please just turn up with I.D. for a contact-free service.
Slurp have a great team and The Wine Tipster is a big fan, as they have a fantastic selection of premium wines, including the very stylish Italian white Buglioni Musa Lugana 2018, the full-bodied, intense, complex Andreas Shiraz 2017 from South Africa and the top class red Gauchezco Reserve Petit Verdot 2016 from Argentina, whilst gin fans should check out the TOAD gins from the Oxford Artisan Distillery.
Slurp offer free delivery on orders of £100, with ordering online at www.slurp.co.uk and you can phone 01295 672290.
We have been out running every two days and The Wine Tipster has been rehydrating with some fab soft drinks from Bensons The Juicers, run by Alexia Benson. We always have their Refresher Awesome Orange and the Totally Fruity Elderflower & Apple at home as well as their popular award-winning Chilly Billy ice lollies made from 100% fruit juice. Great for the family.
Bensons The Juicers are available in numerous shops who are providing an online service, including the Dunkerton Cider Company and Shop in Charlton Kings, which is well worth a visit in future.
You can order directly too at www.bensonsthejuicers.com or phone 01451 844134.
Vinotopia is an energetic and refreshing online independent business, with a shop in Tetbury, which will be well worth a visit later.
Started by Jeremy Hill and run by MD Andy Cole, they are keeping themselves busy with their free ‘contactless’ delivery within a 30-mile radius of Tetbury. You can order online for next day delivery anywhere in the country via their courier partner UPS for a delivery charge of £11.95 per case.
The Wine Tipster recommends their 12 bottle Isolation Case, which include a fab of range of wines, gin and Rococo Bee Chocolate 65% Cacao www.vinotopiawine.co.uk/self-isolation-mixed-case. They also have a Wine Club www.vinotopiawine.club so check out the details as they normally run lots of events too.
The Wine Tipster has been championing single serve wines as well as high quality low-alcohol beers, with Vintopia reporting great sales of their Lucky Saint Lager, Bavarian Pilsner at 0.5% and the Hogan’s High Sobriety at 1.0% plus their links as well. Orders can be placed at www.vinotopiawine.co.uk and call 01666 502262.
We have some fantastic brewers in the Cotswolds including Hook Norton, Bath Ales, Stroud Brewery and, more recently, Chadlington Brewery, near Chipping Norton.
CEO of Chadlington Brewery, Jason Chipchase, has built an impressive business in a short space of time and, whilst they can’t of course supply their cask beers to pubs at the current time, I can vouch for their fine range of bottled ales! My favourites are the Golden Ale, Oxford Blue and their lovely Oxford Pale Ale, whilst they have some gift packs too.
Chadlington Brewery are delivering free across Oxfordshire, with orders placed online at chadlingtonbrewery.com #OxfordBeer or call 01608 676823 email: brew@chadlingtonbrewery.com
• Majestic
The Majestic shops are closed at the moment and you can order online centrally or select your local store for ordering online. Over the past few months, The Wine Tipster has had some great service from several of the stores in the Cotswolds including Stroud, Stow-on-the-Wold and Witney. Some real highlights have been the Portuguese reds, including the Porta 6 Reserva and Ramos Reserva, whilst from Australia the St Hallett Faith Shiraz is tremendous value, as is the excellent Stonier Pinot Noir. Finally, if you are looking for true elegance and style, the Eileen Hardy Chardonnay is a very memorable glass of vino.
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