Butlins unveils fine wine offer

Butlins has introduced a “Fine but Fun” wine list, offering visitors to its budget holiday resorts access to top quality names without their usual restaurant mark-ups.

The 18-strong list features high profile classics such as Krug Grand Cuvée (£120), 2006 Cape Mentelle Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon (£27) and 2004 Château Talbot (£65), as well as more adventurous options in the form of 2007 Trimbach Gewurztraminer (£29), 2001 Château Musar (£34) and even the St Stephan’s Crown Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos (£29). Most of the wines are priced between £24 and £34 per bottle.

Supplied by Matthew Clark, the Butlins list was compiled in collaboration with Pip Martin, former wine manager at Harrods and founder of events firm The Wine Adventure.

While the wine offer may be as sophisticated as a top end restaurant, the tasting notes have been deliberately composed to reflect the unstuffy Butlins style. Expect references to “George Clooney”, “buttery crumpets” and “diving into a cold pool on a hot day”.

Richard Bates, managing director of Butlins, described the selection as “world-class wines at prices that don’t take the mickey”, claiming: “Butlins will soon be the place to go for a good Burgundy, Châteauneuf-du-Pape or top-notch bubbly.”

The introduction of this fine wine offer sees the company looking to capitalise further on its wine sales, which have increased by 34% in the past two years. 1.5 million guests visit Butlins each year across its three resorts in Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness.

Gabriel Savage, 29.06.2010