Old World

The ever-burgeoning number of exciting, top quality restaurants flocking to the region of Alsace demonstrates that food in this country is much more sophisticated than it used to be.

In the heart of continental Europe lies Austria, a reasonably small wine producing country that is enjoying a period of growth and higher standing amongst wine lovers around the world.

A region once in crisis, the granite-based hills of Beaujolais are undergoing quite a revival.

Although only separated by some thirty miles; the Medoc and the Right Bank are very different stylistically, historically and culturally.

No other wine region in the world has risen to such commercial and qualitative heights over the last twenty five years as Burgundy.

While it is true that overall UK Champagne sales are still dominated by the ubiquitous Grand Marques, our own customers seem to be displaying a step change in their approach to the world’s original sparkling wine.

Since the 1997 vintage we have seen a complete revival of Germany’s fortunes as a producer of world-class wine.

Certainly in Piedmont, there has been a succession of great vintages, broken only by the minor blip that was the tumultuous 2002 vintage.

Not far from Burgundy lies Jura, a strikingly beautiful area renowned for its alpine landscapes and remarkable wines.

Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé continue to lead the way as France's most recognisable Appellations Contrôlées.

In the last ten years, France's battle with New World wine for shelf space has been most competitively fought by the Languedoc-Roussillon.

France’s wine growing “Rhone Valley” in reality covers two very distinct wine growing regions, separated by a vine-free gap of approximately 30 miles.

The popularity of brand Rioja shows no signs of abating and is single-handedly supporting Spain's stronghold in the UK.