London tube map wine guide to launch

A novel guide to wine based on the iconic London tube map is set to launch with the aim of helping consumers navigate the world of wine and expand their tastes.

The Wine Tube Map, which works on the basic principle of “if you like this, you might like this”, allows wine-lovers to navigate from one wine regions or grape variety to the next based on carefully arranged ‘wine stops’ which help to build on a consumer’s established tastes.

For example, if you like Chenin Blanc, why not change at Sauvignon Blanc and travel north to test out a Riesling, switching from the White Central line to the Aromatic line.

If you are feeling adventurous, from there its a short stop north to Viognier and Gewürztraminer.

By using a resource that most understand, the London Tube map, author Nikki Welch hopes it will help consumers to navigate the world of wine and expand their tastes.

She said: “[The book] is not for wine hobbyists to collect or save tasting notes. It’s aimed at a consumer audience of wine drinkers who love drinking wine but may not have lots of knowledge.

“The idea is to inspire the confidence to try something new but also to reinforce that you don’t have to like everything.”

Welch spent ten years selling and marketing wine for a UK agent before starting her own business, Convivium Wine.

She has recently set up a new business to focus on the WineTubeMap, Tube Map Ltd., where the emphasis will be on building a “fun and approachable” wine resource for consumers.

Nikki Welch

An accompanying app and training package for the trade to teach bar, shop and restaurant staff how to use and share the Wine Tube Map is also in the works.

Welch said: “The idea is to offer training that is pitched at a level that anyone can engage with, which will inspire staff to engage with their customers with confidence, without necessarily having to undergo formal wine training.”

The Wine Tube Map will be on show at the BBC Good Food Shows in November, and at the Winter Show in Birmingham and London.

The pocket guide will be available in bookshops from 6 November.