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News
Vagabond vamps up retailing
A “new” type of wine retailer has been launched, promising to offer customers the chance to try anything before they buy.
Vagabond Wines in London says it is filling a gap between fine wine retailing and supermarket wines.
The Fulham-based retailer’s in-store, bespoke wine sampling system ensures all reds, whites and rosés are available to taste in 35ml sample sizes at 50p a go, including everything on the list from Allegrini’s Pinot Grigio to 1996 Château Lagrange.
The retailer offers a range of 100-150 lines, which are merchandised by style and occasion rather than country and grape, and which come with take-away shelf-talkers.
Stephen Finch, managing director of the retailer, said: “It’s just crazy that in this day and age customers should have to part with a good sum of money on a bottle of wine without knowing what it is they’re buying. That’s why we’re allowing customers to taste 100% of our red, white and rosé wines before they buy anything.
“There was definitely a gap in the market between fine wine retailers which, as good as they are, can be a bit intimidating, and supermarkets that are great for price but their wines tend to be mass-produced and uninteresting,” he added.
For further details on the store, visit www.vagabondwines.co.uk
Jane Parkinson, 27.09.2010
This sounds great – could I just check a couple of things? Does the location have an ‘on license’? How can they sell 35ml samples of wine since this isn’t a legal measure? Are they selling into government stamped, lined glasses? Or via a ‘stamped’ thimble measure? None of the current crop of wine dispensers are approved for trade, so how are they dispensing legally?
Don’t want to be a party pooper here, but the on-trade is very strictly regulated and it doesn’t seem right if off-trade outles are ‘winning’ over their ‘properly licensed’, on-trade oppos.
David
Very sad we deal with Archaic regulations in our industry. Wouldn’t it be great if we had an open legislative system that allowed consumers to develop their taste and appreciation of wine, beer or spirits through more insightful legislation.
The issue with the On Trade/Off Trade is a red Herring. In other countries tasting flights of 25/35/75ml – whatever groups of tasters are offered in bars – restaurants. These allow consumers to sample and taste the outlets cuisine (yes the drinks offer should be part of their cuisine).
Thought, Let’s stop bickering amongst ourselves and start putting concrete plans to Legislators and Consumers.
Regards
Riki Hutchinson
The Drinks Lover