Meet the Merchant - Berry Bros & Rudd, Fields Morris & Verdin
Berry Bros & Rudd is the oldest wine merchants in the UK, with more than 300 years of experience.
Berry Bros & Rudd, 3 St James's St, LONDON, 0207 396 9600
Fields Morris & Verdin, Unit 2, Bankside Industrial Estate, Sumner St, LONDON, SE1 9JZ, 0207 921 5318
Berry Bros & Rudd is the oldest wine merchants in the UK, with more than 300 years of experience.
Visit the London shop (and anyone who likes wine or old buildings should do just that), and the history positively leaps out at you in the shape of sloping floors and odd angles.
But behind the scenes and appealing history, this is a highly efficient, computerised operation with a successful wholesale business and arguably the best wine list in the country.
Berrys' wholesale arm is an amalgamation of Fields and the excellent Burgundy specialist, Morris & Verdin. No prizes for originality when it comes to the name - Fields Morris & Verdin - but its list is unquestionably impressive and, despite the classic Old World bias, genuinely global.
Mark Pardoe answers the questions.
Areas of speciality
The classic regions of France - Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhône, Champagne - plus Vintage Port. But also detailed representation in other countries/regions offering a point of difference. We're global specialists, not regional.
Any areas/regions you avoid?
(Inexpensive) wines made for the mass market and, other than Champagne, brands.
Which areas/vintages are exciting you at the moment?
Classic - 2001 Red Burgundy. The best are beautifully crafted and significantly underrated.
Non Classic - Interesting and diverse wines from the Languedoc, and the judicious enhancing of the easy or one-dimensional fruit of the cépages améloirateurs (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon) with local varieties (Cinsaut, old vine Carignan etc).
Anyone you'd recommend at the £5-12/bottle level?
Domus Maximus 2001 Massamier la Mignarde, Minervois La Livinière £7.80/bottle +VAT
How about something really different?
Côtes de Jura Cuvée Spéciale 1999 Domaine Philippe But in £13.95 (10% as above) - it's not dissimilar to fino sherry! £9.80+VAT
Pick a Sunday roast wine from your list.
Claret from a soft vintage (like 1997) or an older, mature wine, otherwise the tannins will be too harsh. Up to £10 I'd go with Berry's Good Ordinary Claret at £3.95+VAT; above £10 I'd branch out with a 2001 Clos du Marquis £18.95 + VAT
And for curry or fusion food?
Aromatic wines often work best. The intense, aromatic characteristics of many Alsace wines balance the heat of curries. But aromatic varieties such as Muscat can also work. Up to £10 - Domaine de Coudoulet Muscat £4.90+VAT; above £10 - 2002 Gewurztraminer, Wintzenheim, Domaine Zind Humbrecht £14.55+VAT
Losh's tip
Chateau de Cesseras 2001, Minervois La Livinière Another from Languedoc Roussillon. This is a cracker. A perfumed basket of fresh summer fruits, particularly blackberries, with a spicy pepper top note. Delicious. £7.25/bottle +VAT
£5.45+VAT
