Sarah Smart: But have you seen the real tutor?'
Point taken Anne Roberts (Morning Advertiser letters column 12 February) we wouldn't recommend that those who venture into cellars should dress in the same fashion as the delightful Sarah Smart. We at Guy Simmonds pride ourselves on our professionalism in respect of our training. However, with advertising (as I'm sure every advertiser in this journal will confirm) political correctness doesn't always sit easily with eye-catching effectiveness. We therefore had a difficult policy to determine: do we use Sarah to draw the reader's eye to our advertisement or a shot of myself as a rather portly (some say cuddly), mature (some say old) professional to give a more accurate portrayal of the true professional, complete with safety goggles, protective clothing, toe-tectors', etc? Despite me being prepared to invest in some Max Factor and pose with exposed thighs, just a hint of visible cleavage and the most alluring pout I could muster I regret to report that the judges chose Sarah. Whether my ego will ever recover from the rejection is questionable, but I hope to draw some solace from the fabulous client feedback we get on the effectiveness of our Cellar Management Diploma Course although the jury is still out as to whether Sarah or I get the most fan mail. David Taylor MBII Director of Education & Training Guy Simmonds Business Transfers Coppice Farm Ashby Road Melbourne Derbyshire DE73 1BJ Small bottles are best' for wine in pubs I read with interest your article about wines by the glass in pubs (Morning Advertiser, "In a glass of its own", 19 February), which made particular reference to Le Verre de Vin and its wine preservation system. While any system that improves the choice and quality of wines in pubs for the customer is welcome, by far the biggest opportunity for publicans to improve their wine range for customers is with individual single serve (quarter) bottles. The Minicellar Range of quarter bottles of wine (187.5ml) was launched in Ireland almost 10 years ago, pioneering the development of wine sales in Irish pubs, hotels etc. Now quarter bottles account for over 75% of wine sales in pubs in Ireland (north and south) with more than 90% distribution. The range has now been available in the rest of the UK market for about eight years and single serve bottles are available in some 24%-plus of UK pubs. Quarter bottles sales are growing at more than double the market rate where they are in distribution the base of distribution is also growing rapidly. Quarter bottles are now significantly more widespread than wine preservation systems which are costly and are rarely used properly in a busy pub environment. The Minicellar Range offers a wide selection of choices from around the world and features leading brands such as E&J Gallo, Jacob's Creek, Kumala, Caliterra, Rivercrest, Woodbridge, Barramundi, Drostdy-Hof, Sacred Hill etc. This allows customers to match their home drinking choices in their favourite pub environment, with guaranteed freshness from their own individual bottle. From the point of view of the licensee there are no corked wines, no wastage and the customer gets the wines they want, with a wider choice. We will, however, not be leaving it there. We plan to introduce more quality, reserve and premium wines in the future, and encourage customers to trade up in quality. The perception of wines in pubs is improving but it has further to go. We believe that part of this offering should be in individual bottles, which has proved itself hugely popular with customers. Geoff Read Reads World of Wine 48 Broadway Maidenhead Berkshire SL6 1PW Don't use Awol vaporiser says George Bateman Having been brought up in an era when, for the majority, the drinking of alcohol was intended to be no more than a social lubricant, I am horrified by the introduction of the Awol vaporiser (Morning Advertiser, 19 February). I am also doubtful if licensees are entitled to supply alcohol in this way as they are licensed to sell alcohol for consumption which most dictionaries define as "eating or drinking", but do give a secondary meaning as "by fire" and perhaps this is the convolution undermining the Justices' authority. George G Bateman Chairman George Bateman & Son Salem Bridge Brewery Wainfleet Lincolnshire PE24 4JE Punch cellar snoops lack respect' for hosts I have been in the licensed trade for 25 years and have been running my pub for 21 years. I think it is very sad that, as a well-respected licensee, Punch can't seem to trust me. Punch is installing new lines and have been sending in their "cellar snoops". At one time, during a so-called "inspection", they put pressure on my bar staff without my presence. That's just not good enough. This kind of treatment would never have happened with my previous brewery. I am a lessee not a manager it is my own business. When is Punch going to start handing out some respect? Name and address supplied Thanks for your support' Mr Ray Scarbrow, chairman of the Licensed Victuallers National Homes, and Mrs Pam Savage, chairman of the Central Fundraising Council, would like to thank the members of the wholesale and allied trades for their continued support and all the loyal supporters who attended our Keys Luncheon on 24 February at the Royal National Hotel in London. Ray Scarbrow LVNH chairman Pam Savage LVNH CFC chairman Denham Garden Village Denham Green Lane Uxbridge Middlesex
