Talking Wine – September 2014

The Oxford Wine Company has just secured the exclusive UK distribution rights to Downton Abbey wines – two special blends put together from Bordeaux mimicking the style of wine drunk during the early 20th Century. The Claret blend is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot but with some Malbec – widely used at that time but later badly damaged in the 50’s due to hail storms and often not replanted. The white is a Muscadelle and Semillon blend – again mimicking the style of the times. Both are from the 2012 vintage and sell at £12.99 – order from the Oxford Wine Company website or find them in our shops. According to Mr Carson, the head butler in the television series: “Well in my opinion, to misquote Doctor Johnson, “If you’re tired of style you are tired of life!!”

There seems to be a new move by a group of MPs to try to get more warning signs and information on a bottle of wine. This would include advice about units permitted and calorie content. Information is knowledge but a far smarter move would be to introduce minimum pricing so that wine and beer (in particular) could not be promoted at irresponsible prices by large companies that can afford to sell below cost price just to entice customers into their store!!