We’re delighted to announce that one of our team, Jerome Marks-Gardener, has won a scholarship with a major distillery to develop knowledge and presentation skills. William Grant & Sons has created a new spirits educational scholarship: The Ian Murray Scholarship is designed to help develop the recipient’s knowledge of the spirits category and malt whisky in particular. Open to 18-30 … Read More
1983 Vintage Ports
1983 Vintage Ports, now over 30 years old are fully mature, so which houses have full-filled their predicted potential? We had a very enjoyable evening tasting eleven of those which declared, hosted by Alan Cutler, the Black Country’s leading authority on fortified wines, at Stourbridge’s Old Edwardian Club. The quality of the vintage has generally been considered second to the … Read More
The 2011 Vintage: A leading light back to Port
Now the 2011 vintage has been universally lauded and enthusiastically declared by all of the major Port houses and shippers, it is perhaps time for reviewing the situation with such wines, or at least attempting to provide a suitable overview of things as they stand. (quotations) It is a promising sign that even at this early stage, ‘the first growths … Read More
Maison Hardy: Haute Couture for Cognac
Our newest Cognac house, Maison Hardy, was founded in 1863 by Victorian English gent and Francophile Anthony Hardy. Just as Hardy changed his first name to Antoine and adopted the French cockerel as his emblem a century and a half ago, Maison Hardy in the 21st century (led by direct descendant Bénédicte) epitomises the pinnacle of French luxury that is Cognac. … Read More
Reds from around the World Tasting Friday Feb 7th
We had another full house on Friday, 7th February as intrepid visitors sought refuge from the crazy weather in our cellars. A geat evening to explore some rich, red wines, all of which are currently offered at a bargain price in our Fabulous Famous February Sale..! 2007 Finca La Estacada 18 Months Oak Aged Spain A wine produced from four … Read More
Christmas Prize Draw Winner
Our Christmas Prize Draw WinnerMr Ravi Verma, from Tettenhall Wood, is pictured with his wife, Kellie and son, Arlen, together with a couple of items from the Nickolls and Perks Christmas Mixed Half Case selection. For the record, the prize consists of one of each of the following: 2010 1er Cru Cotes De Lechet Domaine Bernard Defaix Chablis Dandelion Legacy … Read More
Compass Box Whisky Tasting Friday 13th December – Unlucky for some?
Only unlucky for those who couldn’t make this excellent evening – informative and enjoyable in equal measure hosted in our cellars by Chris Maybin, Commercial Director. Of Compass Box. The Company delights in producing a range of carefully blended whiskies, made in a variety of styles to suit a variety of tastes. (Click here or on the image below to … Read More
‘Fizznac’ Champagne and Cognac Tasting, August 2nd 2013
We were delighted to welcome a sell-out crowd to this very special event, presented by James Robinson – Champagne and Cognac Ambassador, Pernod-Ricard, “Créateurs de convivialité”. It was certainly a very convivial atmosphere as we prepared to taste Champagne from Perrier-Jouët and Cognac from Martell… First up was the Perrier-Jouët Brut NV champagne, fresh and elegant, notes of lemongrass and ctrus on … Read More
Wine on a high…
The view from the eleventh floor of one of Birmingham’s new and iconic high rises offered the perfect setting for a great evening of food wine and sleuthing. Two attractive flutes of palish golden fizz kicked off proceedings. Initially the colour differential was slightly encumbered due to heavy condensation. They were a little over-chilled reflected in the tight nature of … Read More