Celebrating Success This Christmas
With a recent win at The Decanter Awards, The Whalley Wine Shop really is the best place to celebrate this festive season. Gail Bailey caught up with owner Tom Jones to find out more. Photography: Robin Lyndon
The Whalley Wine Shop has won many awards since opening in April 2010 but the latest accolade, winning Best Local Wine Shop in the national Decanter Retail Awards, has been particularly special to Tom and the team: “Decanter is the leading wine magazine in the world, and the judges of these awards are experienced wine specialists from around the globe, including Masters of Wine and Master Sommeliers, who set the benchmark for best in sector. The award process is particularly rigorous so to be presented with this title is an absolute honour for our team,” Tom explains.
As we approach the festive season this award is an accolade for the village, and the people of Whalley can also be proud that it has the best wine shop in the UK on its high street, a great place to buy their wines and gifts for Christmas, the New Year and beyond.
One of the Decanter judges commented that the shop has ‘one of the best selections of wines in the UK,’ which is high praise indeed.
“It means that our customers can be confident that the wines they choose from The Whalley Wine Shop this Christmas will be excellent quality and at a good price too. Whether it’s for a gift, to drink at the Christmas dinner table, for a party or social get together, or just simply to enjoy on a winters evening, you can be sure our wines will be the perfect fit for the occasion,” adds Tom.
It is an incredibly exciting time for the business, which has worked hard to ensure it has reached the forefront of the wine industry, and as well as the great selection of fine wines, The Whalley Wine Shop has a fabulous selection of Champagnes, premium spirits and craft beers too. At the heart of the shop is an experienced team who are as passionate, as they are knowledgeable: “Customers can trust the advice of the best team in the business,” Tom is keen to point out. “Whether you are new to wine or an experienced buyer, you can approach our guys and they will greet you with a smile. They will give you great advice, whether it’s about which wine will complement a special dinner or about a new grape or country, or a particular year which is especially delicious, they will help you choose the right wine every time.”
A good reason to make The Whalley Wine Shop your destination of choice for your Christmas shopping is that it’s open until 10pm every evening, seven days a week and, because it also serves wine by the glass, you can enjoy a tipple while you browse. With the shop’s free delivery service it’s a great no-hassle way to sort out all your Christmas drinks.
A further benefit of winning the Decanter award is that wine suppliers from all over the world want to see their wines on the shop’s shelves: “The shop likes to collaborate with suppliers who have the same business ethos and enthusiasm as ourselves,” explains Tom. “When it comes to buying your sparkling wines this Christmas customers should try the Champagne house Autréau from the village of Champillon, and the English sparkling wine Gusbourne, grown and bottled in Kent and quickly gaining in popularity. We are also in the process of driving a comeback for the Spanish sparkling wine Cava which is very underrated. One of our favourites are the Vilarnau Cavas, made to exacting quality standards. A delicious festive fizz at a great price.
“Nothing we have achieved however would have been possible without the superb support from our customers and the people of Whalley and the Ribble Valley, they have been amazing from the very first day we opened the doors.”
“We really do want to thank everyone for being on this incredible journey with us and we look forward to celebrating with you all. Merry Christmas!”
To join Whalley Wine Shop’s exclusive mailing list and to make this Christmas your best ever visit: www.thewhalleywineshop.com
The Whalley Wine Shop
63 King Street, Whalley BB7 9SW
01254 822581
mail@thewhalleywineshop.com
www.thewhalleywineshop.com
