Some of you may be surprised to hear that this is the first time I’ve used UB40’s 1983 No.1 hit as the title to this article. After all, my articles all have titles that are related to a song or song lyric and this is an example of a one with “wine” in it. However, this is the first time I thought its use to be appropriate.
Those of you who are familiar with this song will know that the lyrics relate to someone who turns to wine during a difficult break-up. Those who drink alcohol can possibly relate to that, and (as long as it is not the only thing that you turn to) the odd glass after a tough day can help you relax and unwind- which we all need to do.
Wine can also add to a social occasion, enhance a dining experience when paired with food, and can be the perfect gift to celebrate an important milestone. But…can it be more than that?
You’ll not be surprised to hear me say that it can. This was very much evident during the month of May as we celebrate all things New Zealand. One of our team at G&G is Bryce, a proud Kiwi. It is his influence that has seen us more than double our offering from both the north and south islands of his home country. We sell Esk Valley, a vineyard Bryce visited on many occasions. We held a tasting with Seifried, the first vineyard he visited. And we showcased wines from near where he lived. After tasting Squawking Magpie Syrah from the Gimblett Gravels he said, “that tastes of home”. And he’d be right, because there is nowhere in the world that does Syrah like the Gimblett Gravels in Hawkes Bay. It is unique. It is sentimental. It holds memories. It brings a place that is thousands of miles away a little bit closer. And yes, it is more than just a bottle of wine.
I will look to enjoy a similar experience when we celebrate Australian wine in September- the country that inspired me to come into this game.
This doesn’t just apply to us as consumers/sellers of wine, but also to those who produce it. This month I’ve messaged a NZ winemaker who has kept me up-to-date on their latest harvest whilst excitingly proclaiming that this year is their “best year yet!”. I’ve met an Australian winemaker who lost everything in the wildfires of 2020, and is still picking up the pieces four years later. Yet their passion and commitment to winemaking was still undiminished. I’ve also been lucky enough to welcome a South African winemaker to the shop to taste their wines and enjoyed hearing how proud they were of what they have achieved. I’ve shook their hands, looked them in the eye, and heard first hand the work that goes into making the wines they sell…and believe me, it is A LOT of work! That’s totally different compared to the bureaucratic, industrial type projects of the faceless “big players” that are widely available. Most of the wineries we deal with are family-run and, just like farming, winemaking is a way of life and it is in the blood. And yes, that passion, that love, is reflected in the precision, and complexity of the wines that they produce.
And here’s the even better part- you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy such wines because there are many examples of them out there at around the £10-£12 per bottle mark …and we have plenty of them at G&G. Examples include Bodegas Care Grenache Blanc from Spain (£12.00), A Grower’s Touch Durif, Australia (£12.00), and Snapper Rock Sauv Blanc from NZ (£12.50).
One of our many slogans is “every single one of our wines has a story, and we can’t wait to share them with you”.
When you realise what goes into making these products you enjoy it more, savour it, and treat it with the respect it deserves. Because if you don’t respect alcohol, it won’t respect you. Simple as that.
Sentimentality accounts for only so much, because at the end of the day, no matter how close to a wine you are, it has to be good. But when you have that connection, it is really special and we want to share that with you guys too. And I think that what makes us as a business truly unique compared to others out there.
So, happy drinking everyone! We look forward to seeing you soon!
