Pictured: Clive Dickinson
The corks are popping today down at The Classic Wine Shop in
Bridgnorth, Shropshire, as the retailer celebrates scooping the
prestigious Regional Wine Merchant of the Year Award at the
International Wine Challenge held at the Hilton Park Lane last
night.
The judges praised The Classic Wine Shop's unstuffy approach to
wine as well as stocking some truly outstanding bottles from
boutique vineyards and interesting producers. The retailer received
the overall award for the entire Central England region.
Clive Dickinson, who founded the shop just eight months ago,
said: "Even now wine appreciation is still seen as something of a
dark art, so we want to demystify it. You don't need to be a wine
snob or bore to enjoy a cracking bottle or two - and that's the
ethos I had in mind when I founded The Classic Wine Shop.
"The majority of our customers are savvy enough to know the type
of tipple they usually like, but are after something a bit
different to the usual mass-market stuff they can pick up at the
supermarket. We only sell wines that are ready to drink now and
that have personality, and we'll only stock a bottle if we know its
provenance and the team all really love it. They all have character
- often rather like the producers who have made them!
"I'm incredibly proud that less than a year after setting up the
shop that we've been given the industry's greatest gong for the
region. It was tough setting up a new retail business in a climate
where the high street is struggling and purchasing is moving
online. However my belief was that when it comes to wine people are
more likely to experiment and try something a little outside their
usual comfort zone when they've actually talked to somebody
face-to-face and discussed their oenophilic loves and hates. You
just don't get that from the online wine sites.
"I'd like to offer a thanks to the team in-store and our regular
customers, who have helped us achieve this award. I raise a glass
to you all!"
The Classic Wine Shop opened in November 2010 as a retail
spin-off to Clive's merchant business Classic Wine Direct, which
has supplied to bars, restaurants, individuals and corporate
customers across the region for over six years.
For further information, pop into the shop which is based in the
recently refurbished Northgate House on Bridgnorth High Street or
call 08458 381 870.