June 2010
Corks Out picked up ‘National Retailer of the Year’ at the Drinks Business Awards ceremony at the London Wine Fair 19th May 2010.
After being nominated judges praised Corks Out for its innovation, service, knowledgeable team and said that it was a business that was forward thinking and punching above its weight.
We are so very proud to win yet another national award and this gives us a total of 16 I think, (gosh I’m losing count) over the past 4 years, however, it’s not just about winning the award it’s about it’s about the fact that we are obviously doing something right for the consumer out there. Corks Out has always been built on a strong personal service and a quality range that has a point of difference to the rest. It’s a polarising market out there and we feel that our customers deserve some of those old fashioned values that seem to be long gone in most retailers; our business is about passion, basic etiquette and going one step further when it comes to customer service. I am very proud of our team and they all deserve this award as they work extremely hard, passionate beyond most and are totally committed to customer satisfaction.
I must say, it’s also extremely hard out there when there are many convenient stores to visit and if you, our customers did not support us we wouldn’t be here. Independents are special and will only survive if you allow them to. Therefore, thank you also to all of our loyal customers.
April 2010
I know you all love your favourites but I have been out searching for new wines and spirits recently and with the help of the managers we have put together a wish list, therefore, expect to see some new additions coming on board in the near future, however, we couldn’t hold back on a few that we just had to be listed straight away…
Crystallum
Crystallum is a boutique wine operation started by brothers Andrew and Peter-Allan Finlayson in 2007. Although very new, they are gaining huge recognition and respect for their wines, limited amounts are made, and recently we have listed the Peter Max Pinot Noir, which has a very smooth palate with hints of dried apricots and cassis to enrich this classic Pinot style, and the Cuvee Cinema Pinot Noir with incredible purity of Pinot fruit, cassis, strawberry and cherry lifting from the glass, long lasting with great ageing potential.
20 Barrels Pinot Noir
The goal here was to create expressive Pinot Noir from one of the world’s southernmost wine regions. An elegant, voluptuous Pinot Noir with a nose that carries through with amazing finesse and complexity, where notes of fresh cherry, strawberry, raspberry and plum, mingle in with leather and smoked hints in the background. This sophisticated, complex wine has outstanding extraction, is deliciously long and is the result of New World fruit vinified according to Burgundy’s tradition.
Chocolate Block
The Boekenhoutskloof winery has gone from strength to strength, and now enjoys a reputation as one of the leading estates in South Africa. Typical Syrah notes on the nose, intense spice and ripe plum, black fruit. Well integrated on the palate with great aging potential and very Chateauneuf du Pape!
Chase Williams Gin
An English Gin, from the same company that make the Chase potato vodka, this Gin is distilled from their own organically grown cider apples and has a lovely crisp apple and elderflower, fruity flavour, makes a perfect Gin Martini.
Chase White Peach Liqueur
Hand-picked by the distillery team at Chase, the fruit is mixed with Chase Vodka to create a thick velvety liqueur which is excellent on its own or mixed with Champagne or Prosecco.
Pig Peat
Winner of the 2010 ‘Best Blended Whisky’ award, a Vatted Malt, which is a marriage of Malts from the island of Islay, Ardbeg, Bowmore, Caol Ila and Port Ellen. A traditional, old fashioned approach with no chill filtration taking place.
Yours in Wine
Ruth Yates
March 2010
‘Corks Out Wins National Neigbourhood Off Licence of the Year 2010.'Corks Out was very proud to pick up National Neigbourhood Off Licence of the Year at an awards ceremony at the Dorchester, London on 2nd February.
More than 300 guests were in attendance to acclaim the winners in 17 categories, which included the big boy supermarkets and the multiple specialists. Corks Out was also the runner up for Drinks Retailer of the Year.
After being nominated there were two rounds of judging, this included a visit from one of the judges to assess just what Corks Out had to offer. Corks Out was judged on what it offered the local community both in and out of the store, its range, point of difference and its customer service.
Judges said:
“Cheshire –based Corks Out has rapidly become one of the most well-respected independent drinks retailers in the UK’.
Having built its reputation as Cheshire’s leading specialist contemporary wine merchant, its business is built on the principles of good old-fashioned local service.
The five Corks Out stores are simply great wine-led stores, with everything from sub-£5 to top-end clarets and Burgundies, which would be a boon to any neighbourhood, but they always try to go that extra mile beyond just having a great range in the quest for customer satisfaction.
The service ethic, charity work and collaboration with local businesses make Corks Out a worthy winner.”
Off Licence News editor Rosie Davenport said:
“This year’s awards recognise the businesses that can continue to shine in our industry through hard work and flair, despite difficult economic times. When it comes to buying beer, wine or spirits, UK consumers have more choice than anywhere else in the world, backed by fantastic customer service. The retailers recognised at our prestigious awards are at the forefront of this dynamic industry."
I am very grateful for the commitment of the Corks Out team and the support we get from our loyal customers, Corks Out may have started out as a bit of a dream that was lead by passion and the desire to offer something a little different, however, now it’s certainly a fulfilling reality and I am loving every minute of it….
Yours in Wine
Ruth Yates
Feb 2010
‘Top Chilean gets a warm reception from corks out’Corks Out Wine Merchants were very lucky to play a part in the celebration of Don Melchor's coming of age and their 21 critically acclaimed vintages.
Winemaker Enrique Tirado paid his first visit to the UK for over 10 years and headed up north to Corks Out to showcase five of the older vintages of Don Melchor, 89, 95, 99, 01, 03 and a sneak preview of the 2007. Corks Out welcomed him by hosting a special Winemaker dinner at Tom 101 restaurant for a select number of guests on 2nd December 2009.
Winemaker Enrique Tirado has had a long and illustrious career at Viña Concha y Toro. After joining the Company in 1993 to lead its premium brands, in 1997 he was appointed head winemaker to assume responsibility for its super premium and ultra premium labels in addition to the Company’s icon wine, Don Melchor.
The evening started by tasting the Don Melchor vintages, whilst Enrique filled us with his enthusiasm about the wines, each vintage and the delights of Chile, then during dinner there were a further 6 wines to taste from Concha y Toro.
Besides his work with Don Melchor, Enrique Tirado was named co-winemaker for Almaviva alongside Patrick León, Technical Director of Château Mouton Rothschild. Working together for seven years the pair attracted considerable acclaim from international wine writers. Tirado was appointed a director of Viña Almaviva in 2004.
His exacting, ongoing research into terrior management as well as the adoption of new vinification technologies allied to his extraordinary ability to achieve the best expression, finesse and elegance from Cabernet Sauvignon, has made every single vintage among the finest wines of the year from Chile and elevated Don Melchor to a privileged place among the world’s finest wines. Domestic and international media consider Enrique Tirado one of Chile’s great winemakers. Don Melchor 2001 and, subsequently, the 2003 vintage both secured fourth place in US journal Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of the World.
Taste and never forget!
Yours in Wine
Ruth Yates
Jan 2010
What to do in 2010! .... Apart from watch the world cup that is!
Right, it’s January, it’s cold, damp and we’re all feeling a little deflated after our festive activities, therefore, why not put a few dates in your new diary, (if you’re like me you probably have six that you don’t know what to do with) to cheer yourself up!
Corks Out has a great calendar of events for 2010 and each month as usual we have one or two themed tastings in each store. Our tasting is usually themed on a particular grape variety, country, region or style of wine and it’s a great way to find out a little more about what’s in your glass of wine, no snobbery, no lengthy lectures on soil types, just great wine and a bit of chat!
We start in January with warming malt whiskey for Burn’s Night specials and then really get into the fun of things at the end of January with a few blind tastings, (no, I promise you we won’t blind fold you, just the wine) where you can have a go at guessing the wines on show, it’s not too competitive, (for some) just great fun and a fabulous way to recognise some of those characteristics in a particular wine or grape, there will also be some prizes too, just in case you do have that competitive streak in you!
As always, we will have our Summer Tasting at the Park Royal Hotel (8th July) and another couple in November, again at the Park Royal and at Chester Racecourse. We are also thinking of putting on a couple of extra ones this year in the Alderley Edge/Hale area to cover our two stores in those areas.
You can also now purchase a ticket voucher if you would like to give it as a gift to a friend or relative. The tickets come with a calendar of what’s on and can be used at any of the tastings; however, booking is essential as they fill up fast. You can purchase a single ticket or a multi ticket to up to five tastings throughout the year. A great gift if you are stuck for what to buy!
A Very Happy New Year and thank you very much for your support, it’s gratefully appreciated.
Yours in Wine,
Ruth
Last updated: July 01, 2010