Vagabond vamps up retailing

A “new” type of wine retailer has been launched, promising to offer customers the chance to try anything before they buy.

Vagabond Wines in London says it is filling a gap between fine wine retailing and supermarket wines.

The Fulham-based retailer’s in-store, bespoke wine sampling system ensures all reds, whites and rosés are available to taste in 35ml sample sizes at 50p a go, including everything on the list from Allegrini’s Pinot Grigio to 1996 Château Lagrange.

The retailer offers a range of 100-150 lines, which are merchandised by style and occasion rather than country and grape, and which come with take-away shelf-talkers.

Stephen Finch, managing director of the retailer, said: “It’s just crazy that in this day and age customers should have to part with a good sum of money on a bottle of wine without knowing what it is they’re buying. That’s why we’re allowing customers to taste 100% of our red, white and rosé wines before they buy anything.

“There was definitely a gap in the market between fine wine retailers which, as good as they are, can be a bit intimidating, and supermarkets that are great for price but their wines tend to be mass-produced and uninteresting,” he added.

For further details on the store, visit www.vagabondwines.co.uk

Jane Parkinson, 27.09.2010