Slurp Wine

Slurp.co.uk Continues to Defy Recession with 211 percent YOY Jump in Q3 2009 Sales

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:36:00 +0100

“This year’s dramatic rise in Slurp’s wine sales revenues showed no sign of abating in Q3 2009, despite extremely challenging conditions for the wine retail market generally. Slurp’s revenues were 211% higher than the same period in 2008 and up 28.7% on Q2 2009. Slurp’s performance in Q3 2009 is in stark contrast to the overall market, with the Wine and Spirit Trade Association reporting in July (the latest sales data available) that total UK wine sales had fallen year on year by -4.5% (July 2009 over July 2008). Even the previously buoyant online sector of the market has seen growth slow – with the IMRG reporting only modest single digit growth in wine, spirits and beer online sales in Q3 2009. September 2009 also saw the bankruptcy of Wine Cellar Limited – owner of a chain of downmarket high street shops.

Slurp’s success in attracting customers in spite of the grim market backdrop is no doubt partially the result of the company’s ever expanding range of products. But it is also a reflection of the company attempting to provide customers with high quality products at reasonable prices. Slurp is better able to do this than some high street retailers because of its lower cost business model – with investment being channelled into better online tools to ensure that the shopping experience is smooth and enjoyable. We have found that customers are still very willing to pay for premium products, it is just that they don’t want to over pay for them.

Q4 has also started very brightly for Slurp and the company looks forward to the last two months of year with significant optimism.”

Slurp's Lower Alcohol Recommendations

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:12:00 +0100

There is abundant evidence that alcohol in moderation is beneficial to a long and healthy life. But it is also clear that today many people are interested in wines which have a lower alcoholic content, whilst of course still retaining fantastic character and personality. There is no precise definition of what constitutes a lower alcohol wine, but we believe that anything with less than 12% ABV (alcohol by volume) is certainly a lower strength wine in today's market place. So here is a our list of recommended wines under 12% ABV - sorted by alcoholic content - designed to help you Slurp a little more responsibly when the occasion demands:

http://www.slurp.co.uk/lower-alcohol-wines/

Happy Lower Alcohol Slurping!

Slurp Launches Virtual Tasting Notes

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:16:00 +0100

The most annoying thing about being an internet wine retailer is our inability to sit and taste wines more regularly with our customers. So we are always on the lookout for things that can bring the joyous sights and sounds of wine closer to people over the internet. Virtual tasting notes, delivered over YouTube are clearly a very helpful tool, and today we launched the first batch of what we hope will be a huge virtual tasting library. Our first notes come from our friends at the excellent Chilean producer Vina Ventisquero. We hope you find them useful and enjoyable, and we certainly hope to be bringing you a lot more of these in the near future. Check them out here:

http://www.slurp.co.uk/red-wine/chilean-red-wine/2342-vina-ventisquero-grey-carmenere-2006/

http://www.slurp.co.uk/red-wine/chilean-red-wine/4415-vina-ventisquero-vertice-2005/

http://www.slurp.co.uk/red-wine/chilean-red-wine/2345-vina-ventisquero-pangea-2005/

Slurp.co.uk Appoints Chief Technology Consultant

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:06:00 +0100

Slurp.co.uk today confirmed the appointment of Debbie Carne as the company’s first Chief Technology Consultant. Debbie will have overall responsibility for guiding Slurp’s technological development as the company enters a critical phase in its development. Debbie has already been working with Slurp for much of 2009, and has been the architect of a number of important developments: including a complete re-build of our product pages, a comprehensive security overhaul, the new pivot table navigation bar and development of our ground-breaking Online Sommelier system. Managing Director Jeremy Howard said:

“Debbie has truly earned promotion to this critical role. As a cutting edge online company, there is no more important position than Chief Technology Consultant. Debbie is rare amongst technologists in having a mastery of both the technical and the business aspects of any problem. Under her guidance I am confident we will now move quickly towards our goal of becoming the UK’s number one online wine retailer.”

Debbie started her career as an Autocad operator in 1994, but soon moved into IT support, development and management. She designed and built a production planning system for VI-Spring beds, along with various other business applications including invoicing, purchases orders and stock checking systems. She then moved to Amnesty International in 2000 as 'Intranet Administrator' of their International Secretariat, where she designed and built an internet-based secure document library for Amnesty's various offices around the world. After a spell in legal IT (which started in 2002) writing case workflow templates and intranet software (using Ruby on Rails), Debbie became a consultant to Slurp.co.uk late 2008

Slurp.co.uk Launches UK’s First Online Sommelier

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:35:00 +0100

‘Simon’, Slurp’s new Online Sommelier, is a step towards revolutionising the wine buying experience.

Slurp’s research has shown that a trip to the wine shop can be an intimidating experience. Bewildered by a range of products (which often give little clue as to what is inside) customers often grab a bottle on the basis of the label alone. Fear of mispronouncing a name or exposing their own ignorance often precludes them for asking for help.

We think we can make things better by starting to combine the help and advice of a knowledgeable merchant with the unpressured and unthreatening environment of the web browser.

‘Simon’ will respond to enquiries by producing a list of suggested wines to match any requirement, occasion or food pairing. Customers type in any string of ‘wine relevant’ words and Simon responds with his best suggestions. You might type “red, dinner, steak, romantic, affordable” or “white, scallops, lunch, value” - whatever the requirement or occasion – ‘Simon’ will produce a customised list of alternatives.

Simon is able to provide (in most cases) a good list of suggestions because he compares the words entered by the customer against a vast database of ‘tags’ entered painstakingly by Slurp against each individual wine. Simon also weights the results according to how popular wines have proved with other Slurpers – ensuring that the most relevant and popular products are returned first. Simon has over 3,000 products to choose from – courtesy of Slurp’s enormous range of wines.

This version of Simon is only the first iteration of an Online Sommelier tool. He will certainly not be perfect and will undoubtedly make a few mistakes. But we will be working with our customers to train him to become closer and closer to the perfect wine merchant – offering helpful, impartial advice in an unthreatening environment.

Try Simon at www.slurp.co.uk/online-sommelier/

BMA Must not be Allowed to Demonise Wine Drinking – It Makes no Sense

Tue, 8 Sep 2009 13:42:00 +0100

Like the BMA, we believe that the wine and spirits industry has a duty to promote sensible and moderate consumption of alcohol. We do this in a number of ways, from supporting the DrinkAware campaign through to promoting (quite heavily) very low alcohol wines like our best selling Arca Nova White 2008.

But what we cannot allow is the BMA to start to push the wine industry down the same path as the tobacco industry, through restrictions on advertising and marketing. Wine is nothing like tobacco for one simple reason: there have been numerous studies which show that moderate consumption of (especially red) wine have measurable and demonstrable health benefits. Consumed in moderation further studies have shown that wine drinkers live significantly longer than non wine drinkers. The NHS and our health services benefit from the reduction in heart related issues that moderate consumption of wine undoubtedly brings.

This is not the case with tobacco. No study has ever shown any health benefits from the use of tobacco, and even its moderate use has been shown to substantially shorten life expectancy.

So yes by all means let’s address the limited and isolated issue of teenage binge drinking and adult alcoholism and the problems that that causes our health services. But we must be strict with the BMA and insist that they acknowledge the proven health benefits of wine drinking in moderation. We must not allow the demonization of a healthy product in the name of solving a problem that does not exist for the vast majority of moderate wine lovers.

Majestic Sees the Light (Well ... Almost)!

Thu, 3 Sep 2009 18:12:00 +0100

It has taken Majestic Wines fifteen years to realise that people do not necessarily want to buy 12 bottles of wine at a time. The fact that it has taken this long to change their policy speaks volumes about the attitude of the wine industry to new ideas and to innovation generally. But the comic part of the company’s bold and groundbreaking decision to allow customers to buy (wait for it) six bottles at a time is that it doesn’t extend to their online offering. Online you will still have to buy 12! This makes no sense to us, because the economics of e-commerce should mean that it is cheaper to distribute wine via the internet than via bricks and mortar premises, and that if there was going to be a place to start chipping away at the minimum order quantity you would have thought it would have been the online side first.

Anyway, we will continue to pursue a different path. We are now offering almost 250 single bottles for sale in addition to the over 2,500 we now offer in boxes of 3. We are delighted when customers buy a bottle or two just to try out, or because that is all they want. Amazon don’t tell you have to buy 12 books at a time – imagine if they did! – so why should a wine company?

Wine sales are currently falling in the UK and retailers need to do a lot more to get people enthused about wine. Putting silly restrictions on the quantities people can buy is not going to get our wine market back on its feet.

Slurp.co.uk Launches New and Exciting Range of Ports and Sherries

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 13:47:00 +0100

Slurp’s new range of port and sherry wines is an exciting development. Many people now believe that port and sherry represent the best value in the world of wine, and we certainly agree that these are perhaps the most underappreciated categories of wine today. The value that today’s modern, meticulously crafted sherries and ports represents is unquestionable, and we urge anyone who has not recently tried them to have a second look.

With great 50cl bottles of dry and elegant sherry starting at under £9, there is no reason not to acquaint (or re-acquaint) yourself with our modern collection of great Jerez Sherries:

http://www.slurp.co.uk/sherry/

The same story applies to Port wines. We have a small but focused collection of red and white port wines at extremely reasonable prices. These modern port wines are not syrupy and cloying. The reds are sweet and rich of course but they are also fresh, clean and delicate. Likewise the whites, which are refreshing and delicious – and extremely affordable:

http://www.slurp.co.uk/port/

Happy (fortified) Slurping

Small Delivery Charge increase for Slurp

Wed, 5 Aug 2009 23:28:00 +0100

It is with regret that we have to announce a small increase in our delivery charge from £5.99 to £6.99.

The reason for this is purely that the cost of making deliveries has increased substantially for us over the past 12 months. Apparently the sharp recession in the rest of the UK service sector has passed the delivery sector by(!) and we have therefore had to absorb sharply higher costs to get our great wines to you. We hope you will accept the need to make this change. Slurp.co.uk already operates one of the lowest cost models in the business and we hope that our low wine prices more than compensate for this slight increase in delivery.

Slurp Shakes Off Recession with Big Increase in Summer Sales

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 09:04:00 +0100

Slurp.co.uk has announced a dramatic increase in year on year sales in Q2 2009. Versus the same quarter in 2008, Slurp recorded an increase in sales revenues of over 84%. This increase comes as the benefits of Slurp’s product expansion drive begin to become apparent. Slurp.co.uk is the fastest growing online wine retailer in the UK in terms of wines available, and our policy of offering hundreds of single bottles and almost fifty mixed cases sets us apart from our competitors.

Slurp.co.uk Managing Director Dr Jeremy Howard said:

“To be growing sales at this rate in the current economic environment is obviously very encouraging for us. We still have a lot of work to do to complete our platform and to realise our goal of becoming the UK’s number one online wine retailer, but clearly figures like these indicate that we are moving in the right direction.

We expect this performance to continue through the second half of the year as a number of new internet features – together with a lot more quality wines – are added to our service.”

Slurp announces launch of Slurp Wine Tastings

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:34:00 +0100

We are proud to launch today a new wine tastings service: www.slurp.co.uk/tastings

Slurp Wine Tastings will showcase Slurp.co.uk wines in corporate and private tasting events across the UK. The emphasis will be on relaxed enjoyment and appreciation of wine, rather than on overly formal tastings. Slurp Wine Tastings will be headed by Mr Rob Harrison. Rob leads a team of four directors who will personally co-ordinate and host tasting events. Although based in London, Slurp Wine Tastings will host events anywhere in the UK. Mr Harrison has joined the Board of Slurp.co.uk and we look forward to his contribution to the growth of our business.

Contact Slurp Wine Tastings today to arrange for your private or corporate wine tasting event: www.slurp.co.uk/tastings/contact-us

Slurp.co.uk Managing Director Dr Jeremy Howard said:

“Our new tastings venture will offer a new and exciting showcase for our rapidly expanding range of quality wines. This new venture is a huge boost to us, and to the producers whose wines we represent. As an online retailer we are constantly seeking new ways to market our products more effectively. This tastings service will enable us to reach a lot more people and demonstrate to them first-hand the quality of our wine.”

Slurp Wine Tastings head Rob Harrison said:

“Becoming part of the Slurp brand will enable our business to develop and grow more successfully. To have a pool of over 2,000 wines from all over the world to choose from will enable our team to put together even more innovative and exciting tastings. Slurp.co.uk’s commitment to high quality, non-mass-produced, wines will appeal very much to our client base of discerning but imaginative corporate and individual event planners. We are very excited about the bright future of the Slurp business.”

Which Rosé Won the International Wine Challenge and Decanter Award for 'Best Value Rosé between £5 - £10'?

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 18:06:00 +0100

Paul Jaboulet Ainé, Côtes Du Rhône ‘Parallele 45’ Rosé 2008

Legendary Rhône producer Paul Jaboulet was bought by the Frey family in January 2006 and is now undergoing a quality renaissance. The Frey family, owners of chateau La Lagune (and previously owners of Ayala Champagne), have a history of investing in quality and are determined to restore the Jaboulet wines to their former glory. M. Frey hired a new general manager, a new vineyard manager and a new winemaker soon after taking control, and brought in Denis Dubourdieu (owner of Chateau Reynon and consultant to La Lagune) to help bring quality back to its previously high level. In order to do this, much of the old oak in the cellars was thrown out and almost 25,000 cases worth of wine was sold off in bulk as it wasn’t good enough to go into the revamped Jaboulet blends. In addition, about 72,000 bottles were tipped down the drain. This renewed emphasis on quality is to be seen in the 2004s that have gone to bottle since January 2006, and in the 2005s and 2006s. The name ‘Parallèle 45’ dates back from the 1950’s. It derives from the fact that the 45° line of latitude passes just 2 kilometres from the cellars. This fantastic rosé is light, bright pink in colour, with an open, attractive nose with perfumes of rose petals and strawberries. On the palate it is clean and fresh, with enough subtle structure to support the ripe strawberry fruit.

Available from Slurp.co.uk in single bottles (for a limited period) at just £7.95 (incl. VAT)

Slurp Expands Fine Wine Range

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:40:00 +0100

The UK’s fastest growing online wine retailer has made a decisive move into the fine wine market, with a significant expansion of its super premium portfolio. In recent days Slurp has begun listing a number of iconic Old and New World wines. The rationale is that such products – made as they are with loving care and attention to detail – fit very well with Slurp’s ethos of promoting non mass produced, supermarket style wines. Yes these wines are expensive, but they are also hand made by genuine wine craftsmen (and women).

Our recent additions include wines by the iconic Rhone producer E. Guigal. In fact, Guigal’s Côte Rôtie La Turque 2003 is the first 100 point Robert Parker wine to be listed on Slurp. A number of famous Champagnes have joined our range – often available in impactful magnum and larger formats. Henri Giraud Champagne Ay Grand Cru Fut de Chene 1999 is an exquisite effort that will turn any occasion into an experience never to forget.

Alongside famous Old World stock now come equally impressive New World pretenders. We are thrilled this week to present the wines of Dave Powell’s Torbreck in Australia’s Barossa Valley. We were fortunate enough to spend some time with Dave at the recent London Wine Fair and to taste through the range of his wines. Slurpers with a penchant for full and concentrated Shiraz will be excited to see iconic Barossa wines like Torbreck ‘The Factor’ and ‘The Descendant’ listed at some of the best prices available in the UK.

At the more refined and elegant end of the spectrum we have also been working hard on our collection of exquisite Burgundies, especially through our partnership with Domain Corton Andre. It is great to be able to offer the very best Grand Cru Montrachets like Montrachet Grand Cru Domaine Corton André 2006 and classy Côte de Beaune’s like Corton Grand Cru Monopole Domaine Corton André 2006.

So even though times are tough, there is still a place for iconic wines and we are proud to be expanding of the range of them. Please watch this space as there will be many more to come!

Wine Reviews and WishLists Rolled Out on Slurp.co.uk

Tue, 9 Jun 2009 19:19:00 +0100

Today we rolled out some important new functionality to enable Slurpers to add their own Wine Reviews and to save favourite or target wines to personal WishLists. The Reviews can be either public or anonymous and we believe that they will help deepen and broaden the Slurping community. WishLists are increasingly important as we approach 2,000 different wines available on Slurp. No one can be expected to remember each and every one of them, and hence it is important for our customers to be able to keep track of what they like on Slurp.co.uk. Both these developments are just steps on a road which we hope will end with Slurp having the most creative and user friendly
online experience in UK wine.

We have a lot more exciting stuff in the pipeline, so watch this space!

Three Amazing Finds from Argentina

Fri, 22 May 2009 11:35:00 +0100

At the London International Wine Fair last week we tasted our way through an absurd amount of wine. But the blackened teeth and furry mouth were well worth it for some of the gems we uncovered. The first producer we want to share with you is Finca Decero from Mendoza in Argentina. We were seriously impressed by the quality of these wines for the price we are able to sell them at.

About Finca Decero
Finca Decero, once a bare patch of soil in the Argentine foothills of the Andes, is now a one-of-a kind vineyard, where each vine is nurtured by hand
and the winemaking is without compromise. As Decero means - ‘from scratch’, they are fortunate to be free from constraints of tradition, and have
developed an ‘amano’ or ‘by hand’ approach that is human, sustainable and sensitive to natural differences. The unique natural attributes of the Remolinos Vineyard, and of Agrelo, shine through in these single vineyard wines.

Finca Decero Remolinos Vineyard Malbec 2006			Slurp Price £11.45 (incl. VAT)
	Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate writes: “The portfolio begins with the purple-colored 2006 Malbec Remolinos Vineyard which spent 16 months in French oak, 22% new. The nose offers up smoke, spice box, violet, blueberry, and black cherry leading to a smooth-textured wine with excellent concentration and some elegance. It has plenty of spicy, savory fruit, excellent balance, and a pure finish. Drink it over the next six years. Finca Decero (“from scratch” in Spanish) makes only single vineyard wines from the Agrelo region of Mendoza with consultation from Paul Hobbs. 2006 is the first vintage with 6000 cases produced with plans to increase to 20-30,000 by 2013. Currently, 95% of production is exported, 60% to the USA.” 90 points.

Finca Decero Remolinos Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2006			Slurp Price £11.15 (incl. VAT)
	Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate writes: “The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Remolinos Vineyard is deep crimson-colored with an alluring bouquet of cedar, cinnamon, allspice, cassis, and black currant. Supple and elegant on the palate, it has excellent depth, grip, and a lingering finish. It too will provide pleasure over the next six years. Quietly, Petit Verdot has become a new darling of serious wine growers and aficionados because in regions where it ripens most of the time, it can be something quite spectacular. Once strictly a blending grape, more and more we will see it bottled on its own merits.” 90 points.

Finca Decero Remolinos Vineyard Petit Verdot 2006			Slurp Price £13.10 (incl. VAT)
	Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate writes: “The 2006 Petit Verdot Remolinos Vineyard was aged for 16 months in new French oak. Purple/black in color, it has an expressive nose of pain grille, pencil lead, pepper, blackberry, plum, and licorice. Mouth-coating and powerful on the palate, this large-scaled effort demands 5-7 years of further cellaring. Its prime drinking should be from 2014 to 2030 but its impeccable balance may carry it even further.” 93 points.