This Week I’ve Mainly been Drinking…

This issue we pulled the irrepressible Paul Robinson aside from his successful labours in the Home Counties to see what tickles his taste buds. What is the market for Alliance Wine in your area and how does it differ from the rest of the UK? The south coast and London are the main areas I have concentrated on over the last three years. Due to the high number of restaurants I have been able to focus my efforts on the higher end of the market where the quality and exclusivity of our wines is a big advantage. A good example of this is Brighton where I deal with the many of the top restaurants including Due South, the Gingerman and Sevendials.

You have a real passion for wine what in particular excites you from our range at the moment?

I am very enthused about the recent Spanish additions, the Mantel Blanco Verdejo/Sauvignon is a lovely green, fresh white and excellent value. I have also treated myself to the Albarino "Rubines" a beautifully balanced peach fruited number from Galicia. In reds I adore the Stoney Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon from Tasmania, it has the structure of a top Bordeaux but with exotic new world fruit.

You did not start your career in the wine trade what path brought you to Alliance?

The answer is a convoluted one, I was flying in the RAF until 1991, then gained a Pharmacology degree from Sheffield. A redundancy and a golden handshake from the pharmaceutical and packaging industries gave me an opportunity to rethink. For 10 years wine had been my private passion and it was fantastic to make it my job. Virgin Wines gave me a start and having got the year's experience I needed, I joined Alliance in 2002.

The wine market is very competitive; are there any wines you would single out as exceptional value?

We operate in a crowded marketplace and having first class entry level wines is essential. I have found the new Finca Lasierpe wines from Navarra to be ideal. The range offers white, red and rose, is excellent quality and well presented, this package at an entry level price is a winner.