Interview with Andy Walton – Good Wine Shop Chiswick
Posted on Thu 21st Feb 2013 at 12:01
A View from the Inside - Each month we talk to people who work, live and love wine. This month we chat to Andy Walton from the Chiswick branch of The Good Wine Shop.
The Good Wine Shop and Stobi Wines
- How did you get into the wine business? I’ve always had a keen fascination and interest in wine and decided at an early age to pursue a career in the subject. I joined a national chain straight after University and here I still am 14 years later!
- You have selected Vranec, Stobi Cuvee & Petit Verdot for all three stores. Why do you think your customers will enjoy these varietals? As an Independent retailer it is important to show diversity in the range which often results in championing less know wine producing countries and grape varieties which of course show great quality for their price, these 3 wines fit into this category very well.
- How do you encourage your less adventurous customers to try wines from emerging regions like Macedonia? Regular tastings of the wine help enormously but we like to think that we have built up some trust between ourselves and customers which makes it easier for them to trust our recommendations.
- What reaction have you had to Stobi from customers so far? Really positive so far, not a lot of people have tried wines from Macedonia before so it has been a real eye opener for them.
- How do you encourage customers to spend a few pounds more that they might pay at a supermarket? We offer something very different to supermarkets, we often specialise in smaller producers who put a lot more love into their wines. A lot of the wines you find in supermarkets tend to be pretty soul-less mass produced wines which don’t offer a wine lover much more than a hit of alcohol.
The Wine Industry
- Why are high street retailers so important to a brand like Stobi? We are able to engage and communicate about our wines more so than a website, Stobi is an up and coming brand from a less well known region, it is important for the brand to be represented well and what better place than an Independent wine retailer.
- How have you seen wine trends change in the last 5 years, and what do you see moving forward? There has definitely been a rising interest in consumers discovering new flavours whether it is from a new country or a new grape variety, I think UK consumers are becoming more adventurous in their wine choices, there has definitely been a shift away from the bigger brands.
- What do you think about the suggestions to put health warnings and calorie information on wines? I don’t think that the average wine lover would take much notice to be honest.
About YOU
- What was your first alcoholic drink, how old were you….and did you like it? I think it was Carling lager when I was around 15 and no I didn’t find it a pleasant taste at the time.
- If you were enjoying a fruity red, like our rich and characterful indigenous Vranec, what would be on your plate? Sausage and Mash with a rich onion gravy.
- What did you want to be when you grew up? An RAF Pilot.
- If you could be any age for a week, what would it be and why! 100, might never reach that age but it would be fun to know what it feels like before knowing you you will become younger again after a week!
- What cheers you up? Enjoying a special bottle of wine whilst watching England win the Rugby world Cup!