Countryside La Vie Magazine

Underwood Wines, an independent wine merchant, has moved to a 5,000 sq ft warehouse in Warwick making it the largest wine merchant in the town. The business, which has been established for over 20 years and is owned by two bothers - Nick and Tim Underwood, was originally based in Honiley, near Kenilworth. With ambitious plans for expansion and the requirement for more space, the Underwood brothers opened their new premises on 1 May. The move to Warwick has also enabled the public to buy directly from the warehouse as previously the business had sold only to the trade.

The warehouse features over 1000 different wines from across the world ranging from vintage labels to wines at under £4 a bottle. The company also sells a range of quality spirits, including cognacs, malt whiskies and port, as well as beers, lagers, ciders and soft drinks. Useful to know during the heat, Underwood Wines offers an ice making facility producing up to 1000 bags or 4 tonnes of ice per week.

Unlike other traditional wine merchants, the company has a number of unique displays placed around the warehouse for customers to view whilst browsing the wines. The brothers, who share a passion for vintage cars, have positioned a number of cars inside the building which include a 1990 Alfa Spider, a 1947 HRG, a 1973 Porsche Carrera RS and a 1955 Bristol 404.

Also on display is a collection of around 600 old corkscrews which the brothers have collected over the last 10 years, some of which date back to 1830. Old wine books and decanters can also be found on display making a visit to the warehouse more of an experience as opposed to just buying wine!

Nick Underwood, co-owner of Underwood Wines stated, “We are delighted to open our new premises in Warwick which we’re immensely proud of. We want our customers to enjoy visiting our warehouse and spend time not only looking at wines, but also our collections. We will be organising a number of regular wine tasting evenings throughout the year for both old and new customers to taste our wines and experience the ambience that is Underwood Wines.”

Underwood Wines, which can be found at The Old Pie Factory, Montague Road in Warwick, also offers next day delivery which is free of charge within a 50 mile radius of Warwick.

Nick and Tim Underwood at
Underwood Wines on 01926 402100

or email to
nicolas.underwood@btopenworld.com
or tim@underwoodwines.co.uk

Things are not so great for village Post Offices and shops at the moment but Graham & Sue Parkinson at Great Glen Post Office are refusing to give in and fade away. Instead they have thrown everything into their business hoping to prove that village shops can survive and thrive.

From the moment you pull up onto their car park and notice that you can either enter the shop by the lift or the steps you know this is no ordinary rural post office.

Last October their shop was totally gutted and a whole new look emerged within just one week. It is now bright and spacious with an oak floor and a rustic country theme, it oozes QUALITY

They have retained most of their original products especially the huge range of quality, designer and unusual greeting cards and gifts, something they already had a good reputation for, but excitingly they have introduced a deli section into the store. This foodie part of the business has been called ‘HOW IT SHOULD TASTE’ which really says it all. “We love food and try to source only quality products. If we have what is in the supermarkets there’s no point in doing it” says Graham. “More and more people are asking where food comes from and we are keen to have the answers” he continues “ We want to change customers way of thinking about food by informing them and showing how wonderful things can taste. A small portion of a fine cheese lovingly produced is worth far more than a great chunk from a supermarket that tastes like soap!”

Graham and Sue have obviously had to learn and invest in food hygiene (“We have so many sinks in the building now!”) but they readily admit the real fun is learning about the food themselves. Over the last two years they have been researching suppliers and producers and will never stop looking for new ones, the more local the better.

“People within this part of the food market are all so lovely, friendly and helpful and all have a real passion for their product” says Sue “ We have found lovely ladies in a beautiful farmhouse in Rutland making the best ever chocolate brownies and lemon drizzle cake. Really great guys in Queniborough who make ready meals better than you`d make them yourself. Three generations of Pork Pie enthusiasts at Cotgrave. Their dedication has made them Supreme Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Champions for 2006 –7. Our customers who reckon to be pork pie `experts` have been won over by these wonderful pies. Quenby Cheese Company who are total Stilton enthusiasts have been greatly supportive and people who didn`t like Stilton have been won over. We have traditional Red Leicester from a real family farm in Leicestershire, how it should be and tasting just as it should.”

Valentines week was also `Purple Love Week` Britain`s largest co-ordinated tasting event. Around 600 delis, farm shops, butchers and bakers across the UK took part in a bid to support and unite smaller independent food shops. Sue felt it was a great success and very satisfying when customers realised how good things could taste. “A farm over the border in Northants produces fantastic Rapeseed Oil and when we gave people a taste, explained its healthy merits and how to use it the chefs in the family were hooked and we sold out within days! An old paperboy of ours has a business selling fairtrade loose leaf tea and when customers tasted it we had lots of `ooos! We have children who would rather have a piece of cheese than a rubbish bag of sweets. One wonderful little chap tries a different cheese from our selection each week and seems to love them all!”

Graham & Sue have their fingers crossed hoping to be granted an alcohol licence so the offering can include fine wines, local beers and English liqueurs again quality and as local as possible being their mission. (They already sell liqueur yoghurt, Whiskey marmalade and Strawberry and Champagne Jam!) Sue sums it up. “This Post Office has been in the family for 48 years, started by my father in 1958, we would really love to get to the 50 year mark and have a big celebration. Hopefully what we have done, together with our fantastically loyal customers, will see us through”