The Judgment of Powys awaits

Frenchman Nicolas Prevost has established a vineyard in the hills of Powys.

Having decided to learn how to run a vineyard during lockdown and taking an online course, he said: “I think I need to have a go at it. I’m French, I love wine.”

Nicolas believes that Le Prevost Vineyard in Trallong could be the highest vineyard in the UK at 260 metres above sea level. Brecon & Radnor Express, February 4

�Coca-Cola is the biggest selling beverage in the world. With 38g of sugar per 33cl can there’s no mistaking that the global preference is for a sweet tasting drink. Does this translate into wine preference? For the most part in our retail business the answer is no. But the ‘sweet spot’ is certainly trending towards a CocaCola drinkers’ taste profile: cheap Sav Blanc sweetened up to disguise the low quality, and those frightfully sweet southern Italian reds in bottles best used for self-defence.”

Daniel Grigg Museum Wines, Blandford Forum

�People always say they want a dry white wine but I find that with red wine, people are more flexible. Wines with residual sugar probably by necessity are higher in sulphur and possibly have been sterile filtered, which is a choice, but I personally wouldn’t want to drink them. For me the question is, do people secretly prefer aromatic wines?”

Kirsty Tinkler

Weino BIB, east London

�A lot of customers come in asking for a dry white or a dry red. Once you get talking to them, you can normally gauge that they don’t really want a dry wine, it’s just the word ‘dry’ is used to avoid dessert wines. Recently a customer came in asking for a dry fruity red. I recommended a Primitivo from Puglia, explaining that it was not dry, but full of ripe fruit flavours. He returned the next day for a second bottle.”

�Often customers who say they love bone dry wines aren't necessarily seeking a lack of residual sugar but are looking for high acidity, particularly with whites. Most who rave about dry whites like Marlborough Sauvignon or Chablis also say they love modern Pfalz Rieslings, which are drier than they have ever been, but still offer some residual sugar. When asked what it is they like, they say it’s the clean, crisp freshness – something I associate more with acidity than zero sugar. Customers from Asia and America are always after very sweet reds, almost to the degree that it is hard to find wines sweet enough.”

Angus Perkins, Wolf Wine, Bath H Champagne winner H

Champagne Gosset

The oldest wine house in Champagne: Äy 1584

41: Life Drawing

Emma and Will Evans

Wandering Palate, Monton, Greater Manchester

In a nutshell:

As an artist Emma is keen to invite her customers to share her love of life drawing. Fortified with a glass of wine and a thoughtfully curated play list, guests are let loose with paints and charcoals to get creative.

Some might say this was a brave move. “I didn’t know what was going to happen when I introduced life drawing to Wandering Palate. I said to Will, ‘is it too much for Monton?’ We’re not the city centre of Manchester where it’s a little bit more bohemian, so I wasn’t sure how drawing a naked person would be received. But from the first session it’s always been a really full class and it just makes me so happy that there is this appetite for creativity and trying something different.”

What’s the typical reaction?

“What’s lovely is when people come to the sessions a little bit nervous – sometimes they say they’ve not drawn since school – and then when they leave they’re absolutely on a high and asking when the next session is. It’s not about how well you can draw: the main reason I wanted to launch it was because I’ve always found life drawing meditative. You could have had a really bad day, lots going on, but this is a good way to relax.

“There are some regulars and there are always new faces. Recently I had three ladies who have this pact where they’re

Bottoms up: two happy customers always trying something different together. They enjoyed it so much, and they gave me a hug when they left. Making people feel good and encouraging them to try something new … that’s what I wanted when I started this.”

Guide us through the basics.

“Each session is different, with new playlists, wine menus and models. A lot of the models we use have been on Drawers Off: The Big Naked Painting Challenge on Channel 4.

“At the beginning of the class I do a warm-up, which helps stop any procrastination.

“We’ll do a pose for a minute and then two minutes and three minutes. We also do a moving pose where the model moves really slowly to the sound of the music.

“As part of the warm-up I invite everyone to use different materials like charcoal, pastels, chunky markers, textured and coloured papers. It gives people a chance to play around a little bit and find out what they enjoy working with.

“Once we get on to the longer poses, it feels very meditative. There’s something about life drawing; it’s that human connection. We have a short break in the middle and when we finish, people hang around, have a drink at the bar and catch up with friends.”

Let’s talk numbers.

“We can fit in a maximum of 24 people. We charge them £16 a head, they get a glass of wine on arrival and we provide all the materials. The models charge £40 for the session.

“We hold the classes in the room upstairs, which we wanted to have a speakeasy feel. The work on the walls is from an exhibition I did with six Manchester poets last year and is available to buy.”

This feels like a very personal addition to your business.

“Will and I don’t see our shop as work, but as a lifestyle. That was the whole concept behind Wandering Palate. The name reflects our love of travel and is a play on my paint palette as well as our taste buds. It embodies everything we love.”

Emma wins a WBC gift box containing some premium drinks and a box of chocolates.

Tell us about a bright idea that’s worked for you and you too could win a prize.

Email claire@winemerchantmag.com