What's in your glass?

No time for reading? Wine story in photos

Hi. If you haven't got the patience to read a blog, the next best thing is

a photo album. So go ahead and if you need any more info, well then

just email me and I'll get back to you as soon as I can!

Mostly Merlot, Cagey Cabernet, Seasoned Sauvignon..?

Hello, friend of Hand Picked Wines.

Have you thought about what it is that you like? Red wine or white wine? Why?

There are a few out there who know their cabernets fron their merlot just by sipping, but mostly we all could use a little guidance.

I have decided to hold an open question and answer forum after my good business buddy Karin Hermans from Wood you Like, extolled the virtues of forums.

So if any of you out there would like to secretly ask questions about the difference between cabernet, Bordeaux and Pinot, then please do not hesitate to ask any questions and send them to me at cv@handpickedwines.co.uk.  I am more than happy to answer them in total confidentiality..

Catherine

GO Ye to the Fair!

Hello again from the sunny point of view of a wine merchant!

Would you all like to learn about wine? Taste wine? Buy wine? All of the above?

If so, get going to the London Wine Show "The Wine Show". From the 25th to the 28Th of October, in London, Islington at the Design Centre.

It has been called "the Place to taste, try and buy".

Not only will your mind be blown away by the varieties available, but you will have fun learning about wines from every corner of this wine-growing planet.

I will be going too, and as a wine importer I'll be able to monitor who tastes my wines (Chateau Clauzet 2004, St-Estephe) shown in the French Wine experience and maybe why and how they react; but mainly, I'll be discovering the new vintages and watching the general public at large.

Some will stay reasonably sober, while others won't; but those of you who think this is literally for plonkers should reconsider. The population of the wine-obsessed is growing!

Long live the vino-geeks. And they do, you know...

Have Fun!

Catherine from Hand Picked Wines

Have you in fact dared?

Many of you out there have told me that it is often intimidating to buy wine and even to order wine in front of others as you lie in fear of choosing something that others would consequently judge "disgusting" or "ugh! who ordered that?"

Can I say just one thing? Your friends with you at the table are in the same position as you are, generally, unless they are part of the small percentage of people out there truly obsessed with their wines. Most of us don't have time for this obsession, preferring to just order run of the mill wines or the most expensive one just to impress.

So dare to be adventurous! Not only will you feel bold and will explore the wine list and consequently make a friend out of your local restaurant owner, but you will really find out what you love and if it turns out to be a bad choice, at least you'll have something to laugh about with your mates.

And ladies, don't hesitate to try something else. The owner of a restaurant/pub or other establishment only put on the list the wines that they think they will sell; if you try different things every week, they might be encouraged to take a bigger risk and put more wines by the glass on the menu/wine list. And when buying from your local wine merchant or online wine distributor do the same and ask for advice if you think the person seems helpful and the website willing to explain a few tidbits of information.

Variety, when it comes to wine, is the spice of life and will spice up your dining experience.

Please feel free to ask questions and post comments.

Catherine

What do you need from us?

Hello, this is your friendly wine sprite. My company is Hand Picked Wines Ltd based in Kent in the often sunny market town of Ashford. So just call me Catherine.

In order for me to start a worthy blog, I would like to know from you all out there, fascinated by the world of wine or simply desperate to get tidbits of info about the wine you drink or drank last night, a very old bottle you found, an embarrassing question in a restaurant.. what do you need

Ask me a question. Tell me what you want to read about here. I am at your service.

Wine Tasting Evening at The Cricketers

Monday 29th October
The Cricketers Presents
"A Wine Tasting Evening with Catherine Velge"
From "Hand Picked Wines"

Presenting Wines From "Bordeaux and Champagne"
Tickets are £15.00 (includes a light buffet)
Starts at 7:30pm