about swig
Swig Wines – our approach
Hello and thank you for visiting our website. Presumably, you opened this page because you know little or nothing about Swig and you want to look under the bonnet. You want to inspect our teeth. You want to know what our intentions are towards your daughter. Well, its not for us to proclaim our own worth and experience has taught us that you can't propel yourself forwards by patting yourself on the back, but we do have a strong reputation within the trade for finding wines that punch above their weight, for unearthing rough diamonds, for spotting tall poppies, but, above all, for using clumsy and ungainly metaphors.
We are a small tribe. Population: five. The village elder is Robin, who opened the popular Belsize Park shop back in 1997 and has subsequently head-hunted Damon, James, Tammy and Lucia. Given our size, we all involve ourselves in every aspect of the business, to a greater or lesser degree, which means that anyone can take the helm when necessary. We believe we have the three attributes required of any successful wine merchant: integrity, experience and a keen gag reflex, but we also have three, soon to be four, diplomas hanging on our wall, just to make our parents proud.
We feed on a rich diet of positive feedback and reflected glory, but ours is a fragile ecosystem and we will perish if people dont bang the drum on our behalf. Word of mouth is our only form of advertising so we hope that, once you have tried us out, you will feel inspired to tell a friend.
So, thank you for stopping by at our watering hole and we hope that you enjoy your time here. Let us know if you cant find what you are looking for and if you would like to receive our regular offers and tasting invitations, please contact james@swig.co.uk and I will add your name to our lovesick fan base. Oh dear, its time for our medication.
Kind regards
James, Robin, Damon, Tammy and Lucia
Some customer comments:
"We think it is absolutely superb. SWIG have a great ability at picking out unusual but intriguing wines. It comes down to having good palates and having the confidence to rely on your own judgement rather than following the herd. The Folie d'Ines is so good that I would like to order another 12 bottle case.” – John G
"I must say that of all the wine merchants I have dealt with over the years ( and there are many) I am finding your selections the most interesting. Keep up the great workJ." - Mark C
"Our Silex (Domaine des Masques Chardonnay) arrived last week and we opened the first bottle last night. Mrs Day is the white wine lover here and I thought you might like to hear what she has to say about the Silex – “amazing”, “scrumptious”, “one of the best whites I have ever tasted” – how about that for an unsolicited endorsement ! We cannot yet pin down all the flavours and bouquet; re-reading your tasting notes we see that you too were not precise on this point and wonder if you too had the same challenge. Best regards Ian D. "
"I decided to sample one of my recently acquired John Duval 2005 “Entity” Shiraz bottles to see if you chaps at Swig where talking sense. Well ! ---- I can honestly say that this Aussie brew is quite FANTASTIC and as you suggest will, with the tannin and fruit balance, get even better with ageing. It’s a real find and great value. You chaps have the nose to sniff out the special deals so please keep em coming. Well done lads you’ve done it again. Best regards" - John Y
"I wouldn't want to miss out on any updates, especially to hear if you are going to get any Lismore Viognier next year. I have never taken the time to email a merchant about one of their wines, but what a wine! It is definitely up there as one of my all time wine experiences, please get some more next year and let me know when you do." Steve C
" Greatly enjoying my recent purchases - mixed case of Sauvs, the Spanish reds and that succulent, sensational Valpolicella – Jeremy T"
"You guys consistently make me avoid disappointment. That's worth repeat custom and word of mouth referral!" George P-W
"Prior to shutting it away for a few years, I decided last night to test drive the 2005 red Ladoix Les Grechons. A stunning wine - thank you for the recommendation." Paul L
"Just to let you know I'm getting some great feedback from people I've pushed in your direction. Buddy of mine Alex E., was raving about you chaps on Friday, and another Martin L. y'day. Keep up the good work!" George A - BarCap
"I just wanted to thank-you for being so efficient! The wine has already arrived and I can't wait to open a bottle! I wouldn't be surprised if I were to contact you again in the future!
Thank-you for such excellent service" - Rhian E.
“Did I thank you for identifying me as a candidate for the Chateau Perin? It is delicious." Mike S.
"Just returned from holiday with our dear friends the S...'s – Tom was waxing lyrical about your discerning selection of wines and I wondered if you would be kind enough to add me to your mailing list. I have grown a little weary of Berry Bros, they are consistent but maybe a little old school. McKinley Vintners have gone wholesale on me and I have tried a couple of web sites that have proven disappointing. Nearby the likes of Majestic and Oddbins leave little to surprise and the Sxxxxxx is horrendously expensive. So please copy me on your offer, bin ends and let me find out about your philosophy!
Kind regards" - Martin L.
"The mixed sauvs were/are stunning as are the Brunellos - I've had one of each so far.Thanks again for your great service (and taste)" - Matthew B
"My word you give a great service. Thanks so much - to your courier friend also - for getting the Christmas Box to my father the day before I gave you the post-code!" - Crispin C
"It was superb. James - you said it drank like a £15 bottle. You underestimated - I think it as good as many £30 bottles. Thankyou for your recommendation. You 3 have excellent judgement - I think you approach wine tasting and buying without preconceptions or prejudice and it is this , combined with good palates, that enables you to discover unusual, exceptional wines. Best wishes" - John G
"Just to confirm that all the wines were delivered today. It was a complicated order but the delivery is absolutely correct - I marvel at your efficiency."
“I think your policy for en primeur is bang on. Where you guys really distinguish yourselves is by putting together selective lists of first class wines that you all stand over and which often offer something a little different" - Michael B