Your personal wine merchants

Having, as he puts it, “marinated” somewhere in the wine trade since 1977 [Is that Anno Domini, Jeremy?] Jeremy’s experience of the wine trade in all its facets is truly extensive. Oddbins in its early days, management with Britain’s oldest wholesale merchant Hedges and Butler, and wine bar ownership in London, left Jeremy well-positioned to build an excellent reputation in the retail wine trade, which is exactly what he has been doing for the last decade or so.

His knack of predicting just what his customers will most enjoy drinking is uncanny, and a talent to which his loyal and extensive following bears witness. 

To contact Jeremy, ring him at the shop on 01453 802740 or on his mobile - 07768 865371 - or email jeremy@vinotopiawine.co.uk

Fizz – Hundred Hills Blanc de Blancs.

Simply glorious, Jancis Robinson rated it top of the 200 English sparkling wines she tried last year. The vineyard is in the Stonor valley just outside Henley but tastes better than any pure Chardonnay Champagne I have tasted in years. Wonderful stone fruit, beautifully balanced and a gloriously long finish.

White – Famille Hugel Gentil or Babylonstoren Chardonnay.

Famille Hugel Gentil for easy drinking, a blend of all the Alsace grape varieties which is greater than the sum of the parts. Lots of Alsace flavour at a sensible price- the ideal have it in the fridge wine.

Babylonstoren Chardonnay – when the answer to the problem is a dressed crab and a glass of Meursault, but common sense says that a crab sandwich and a glass of the nearest thing is more appropriate ... then here we go! Big, complex Burgundian flavours with a very long finish. Just delicious.

Red – Famille Brunier Le Megaphone.

Grenache dominant deep flavoured wine from the family owning Chateau Vieux Telegraph and Vieux Telegramme, both stunning examples of Chateauneuf du Pape. This cracking wine is made on Mount Ventoux and aged in Chateauneuf barrels, wonderful wine at a fraction of the price of the big brothers but with all the family resemblance.

Spirit – Alain Jaume Marc de Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

Marc is French for Grappa, made in the same way but this spirit ( which does have all the lovely fruit aromas of Rhone wine and then spends time in oak casks. Similar to a richer version of a good Armagnac. A lovely digestif at the end of dinner.    

Andy joined us just before Christmas 2015 after 15 years in event catering with William’s Kitchen @ Calcot and Fosters Events, feeding up to and over 1,000 people with restaurant quality meals; Andy decided to hang up his spoon and fork and trade them in for a new waiters friend!

Andy brought an enormous wealth of experience in hosting and planning events and he has taken Vinotopia into the busy wedding market. With our bespoke wine labels that are created for one-off events and special occasions, using Andy’s attention to detail and personable service to help clients choose their wines, match it to the food they are eating and help them to ensure they don’t run out!  

Please pop in and say hello to Andy and if you have an event coming up that he can help you with, let us know.

To contact Andy, ring him at the shop on 01453 802740 or email andy@vinotopiawine.co.uk

Fizz – Bauget Jouette Carte Blanche Brut NV.

Our house Champagne, fuller in style, tastes more like a vintage champagne than an NV and at half the price.  Aged for at least 3 years and has a yummy brioche finish to it which makes it very quaffable!!

White – Mont Rocher Viognier.

My go to white for every day, easy drinking goes with Thai, creamy dishes and grilled meats

Red – Alain Jaume Vacqueyras.

One of my favourite trips was to see Christophe and the team and this wine is super, great with a nice sirloin steak and peppercorn sauce

Spirit – Nc Nean Islay Whisky.

Gentle on the smoke, organic whisky, super smooth.  Light the fire, pour a glass and relax!

Sarah joined us in September 2017 to assist Andy in sales and events, as well as order fulfilment.

She has previous sales experience which makes her a great addition to the team.

To contact Sarah, email sarah@vinotopiawine.co.uk for enquiries.

Fizz – Cantina Beato Bartolomeo Vespaiolo Spumante NV.

A super easy drinking Italian fizz which is perfect to sip on any occasion, and not too expensive either. Great to share when catching up with friends, or with family in front of a juicy murder mystery on the TV!

White – Domaine de La Chaise Touraine Sauvignon.

We say that this wine is superb value for money - better than many Sancerres at twice the price, and I can confirm that it is. This wine often comes with me on a camping trip and is usually enjoyed with a takeaway pizza, although it could easily be paired with a far more complex menu.

Red – Lenotti Bardolino DOC Classico.

From a classic hilly area on the eastern shore of Lake Garda… just where I would like to be! An extremely versatile red that can be enjoyed in front of the fire in the winter, or straight out of the fridge in the summer. Delicious.

Spirit – Sly Dog Rum.

The most delicious spiced rum I know. Best served with lots of ice, a slice of lime, fiery ginger beer, and a dash of Angostura Bitters to make the perfect ‘Dark and Stormy’! My go to… often…

David joined Vinotopia in 2022 as retail manager. Customer service and wine have always been a passion, and after working for 12 years in hospitality, David moved into wine retail and has worked with independents.

Fizz – Pol Roger must be my choice here. It’s a love affair.

White – In brighter/warmer days you will see me drinking a Azevedo Vinho Verde or a Txakoli. In colder weather, I love a touch of oak in wine so an Encruzado by Quinta dos Carvalhais.

Red – La Hermandad Petit Verdot by the Falasco suits winter like a glove. For brighter days and barbecues, you’ll see me holding a bottle of Baglio Gibellina U. Passimiento.

Spirit – Toutain Calvados 15-year-old. Delicious!

Phil joined us in 2018, after a career in the police. The high stakes can only be matched by working with wine merchants.

Phil is our local delivery driver, so if you're trade or based locally you'll likely meet!

Louise joined us in 2020 to help us to support our customers and provide excellent service during an unprecedented time.

Leesa came to join the team in 2022 after 25 years working in Hospitality and events specifically Weddings and parties, Leesa can advise on wine and food pairing and quantities to make sure you never run out!

With Leesa’s commitment to customer care and attention to detail she is a great addition to the team and she looks after our Wine Club memberships, corporate orders and wine label enquiries.

Fizz – Gusbourne Brut 2019.

Classic English fizz, super on a Sunday afternoon to chillout and watch the world go by.

White – Vincent Girardin Bourgogne Blanc Terroir Noble 2019.

If I was on a desert island and had to choose a white wine it would always be a white Burgundy Light aromas of ripe lemon with a floral hint. A rich and elegant wine, with ripe, rounded stone fruits and buttery, creamy richness. Great balance between freshness and concentration of flavours. The grapes come from vines all situated in the communes of Puligny, Chassagne and Meursault hence “Noble Terroir” this is classed as over production White burgundy and we get special parcels of it when my friends say they don’t like Chardonnay I smugly give them this and before you know it  I have converted them !

Red – Sampietrana Salice Salentino Riserva Vigna delle Monache.

I love Italian Reds and this one is excellent value, Warm and velvety, with ripe red fruit, hints of sweet vanilla and subtle notes of toast. Perfect in front of a roaring fire on a winters day.

Spirits – Sapling Vodka served with Pickle House Spiced Tomato Mix.

On a Sunday morning I am partial to a Bloody Mary and we have the perfect pairing This vodka is distilled exclusively from British wheat. It is distilled four times, resulting in a very clean, crisp, and naturally sweet taste. But Sapling believe in more than just high quality spirits. For every bottle you buy, they will plant a tree.

Pickle house is produced and hand bottled on the family farm in Suffolk, this Spiced Tomato Mix contains all natural ingredients and is suitable for vegans.

We work closely with our friends at Lunalight Limited, who help manage our social media, online presence and website - as well as providing graphic design work when we need it.

Dessert – Mad Tokaji Late Harvest.

A delightful reminder of a brief time spent in Budapest. Perfect at Christmas, but we keep a bottle ready to go all year round.

White – Mayfly Sauvignon Blanc.

Crowd pleasing Marlborough Sauvignon. Always a winner.

Red – Biscardo Neropasso.

I have never found a wine that offers such fantastic value for money as this - especially with the Wine Club. We often call it our 'almost Amarone'.

Spirits – Cotswolds Whisky.

Exactly the flavours I enjoy in a whisky, and from a local producer.