News

31st May 2016

Summer 2016 Promotions – 10% Off

Lazy summer evenings on the terrace beckon, and with it a call for something crisp, cool and refreshing for your glass. We’ve taken inspiration from around the world to bring you a selection of delicious and interesting wines to enjoy this summer. Enticing Chardonnay from the ‘enfant terrible’ of American winemaking Charles Smith Eve Chardonnay 2014 A self-taught winemaker, Charles Smith is a true artisan and pioneer. After spending a decade managing rock bands around Europe, Charles decided to indulge his passion for food and wine by heading...

25th May 2016

in News, Producer Stories

by Jessica Broadbent

Catena strikes gold

Catena Zapata’s Nicasia Vineyard Malbec 2011 received a gold medal and no fewer than three trophies at this year’s International Wine Challenge. The wine was awarded Best Argentinean Red, Best Argentinean Malbec and Best Mendoza Malbec. It also won a gold medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards. Owned by Nicolas Catena and his daughter Laura, Bodega Catena Zapata is well-known as a pioneer of Argentinean fine wine. When Nicolas started to plant Malbec at increasingly high altitudes in the 1980s, people were sceptical. But the results...

Sommelier wine awards + The Wine Merchant Top 100

24th May 2016

in News

by Jessica Broadbent

Walker & Wodehouse award-winning wines

At Walker & Wodehouse we pride ourselves on our longstanding relationships with suppliers. We recognise the attention and craftsmanship that goes into each of their wines, so it’s wonderful when they gain broader recognition in the wine trade. We are thrilled to have received a host of recent awards for wines from our portfolio, and here are just a few of those that have been recognised. Sommelier Wine Awards 2016 - Gold Medal Winners Jaboulet La Petite Chapelle Hermitage 2007 This distinguished wine comes from one of the...

18th May 2016

in Out and About

by Jessica Broadbent

The Art of Spritz

The very essence of laid-back Italian cool, spritz has become an al fresco staple for warm summer evenings. The original Venetian recipe of bitter liqueur topped with Prosecco and soda has evolved into a myriad of different forms, but the important thing is for a spritz to be refreshing, easy-to-drink and effortlessly stylish. Here are two contemporary takes on the classic spritz. The Wingfield – Great British Gin Aperitif (new and exclusive) The Wingfield is a brand new and distinctively British aperitif launched exclusively by Walker & Wodehouse in...

18th May 2016

in Uncategorised

by Jessica Broadbent

Pasarisa – Beyond Mendoza

Laura Catena is a fourth generation winemaker whose family pioneered the revival of Malbec. When her great grandfather Nicola Catena arrived in Mendoza from Italy in 1902, he believed he had found the promised land. Until then, Malbec had been used only in blending, but Nicola saw the potential for something far greater. He pioneered its revival, putting Mendoza on the map, and contributed to the global reputation that Argentinean Malbec enjoys today. In this same spirit of adventure, Laura Catena began exploring the potential of...

NB gin founding couple Vivienne and Martin Muir

11th May 2016

in Producer Stories

by Jessica Broadbent

A royal seal of approval for NB gin

There are small-batch distilleries, and then there’s NB. This premium artisan gin was first made by husband and wife team Vivienne and Steve Muir on a truly ‘micro-batch’ scale, using nothing but a modified pressure cooker in their North Berwick kitchen. The business may have expanded since then, but the gin is still made in tiny batches of just 100 litres. Only eight botanicals of exceptional quality are used in the distillation process, and any batches that don’t make the grade are discarded. Thanks to this uncompromising...

Hyde Single Malt Irish Whiskey + Walker and Wodehouse

10th May 2016

in Producer Stories

by Jessica Broadbent

Hyde – The best single malt Irish whiskey in the world

Hyde Single Malt Irish Whiskey won a double-gold medal at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition earlier this year, earning it the title of Best single malt Irish whiskey in the world 2016 from a panel of 39 judges. But despite such international acclaim, this artisan distillery remains family-run and continues to make small batches of just 5,000 bottles. Hyde’s hand-crafted whiskey is produced in traditional copper pot stills with only pure Cork spring water. The Hyde family has a long tradition of being part of...

Walker and Wodehouse celebrates English wine week

10th May 2016

in Producer Stories

by Jessica Broadbent

Make the most of English Wine Week

A marked increase in quality in recent years, combined with a preference for locally-produced products and positive media attention, has led to a surge in the popularity of English wine, with sales reaching almost £100 million at the end of 2015. English Wine Week is taking place from 28 May to 5 June to celebrate and promote English winemaking and terroir. Coinciding with the spring bank holiday, it’s a great opportunity to promote English wine to consumers, who are already showing an interest in this burgeoning...

3rd May 2016

in News

by Elona Hesseling

Conviviality Plc acquires Bibendum PLB

Press Release - Tuesday 3 May 2016 It has been announced that Conviviality Plc is acquiring Bibendum PLB. Conviviality is the UK’s largest independent drinks wholesaler and distributor; it is a successful public company and enjoys the support of a strong institutional investor base. Conviviality has grown through careful acquisition of complementary businesses to strengthen its drinks capability and wholesale business. Bibendum PLB was formed in 2014 when Bibendum Wine Ltd merged with the PLB Group. It has five distinct trading companies each focused on a different market sector: Bibendum...

25th April 2016

in Events, Out and About, Producer Stories

by Jessica Broadbent

NEW ZEALAND REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT

London Wine Fair is always a great opportunity to discover new things. And with this in mind, we’re excited to be showing wines from lesser-known regions of New Zealand. Martinborough is situated at the southern tip of the North Island, and is the most southerly sub-region of Wairarapa. It is just across the water from Marlborough, which lies on the northern coast of the South Island, but the two places couldn’t be more different. Marlborough is categorised by its pulsating day and night temperatures with hot,...