A Sneaky Mention from Tim Atkin in The Observer

...One of my first ever columns championed the cause of independent merchants, much to the derision of people who thought that supermarkets were the future of wine. I’m delighted to say that the independent sector has flourished and continues to source unusual and characterful wines. Merchants such as Berry Brothers, Noel Young, Les Caves de Pyrène, Yapp, Uncorked, Howard Ripley, Tanners, Adnams, Corney & Barrow, Armit, Indigo Wines, Vintage Roots and Raymond Reynolds, not to mention the inestimable Wine Society, are brilliant operations.

Despite the big four supermarkets, the UK remains one of the best places in the world to buy wine. Four bottles that illustrate what I’m talking about are the minerally, crunchy, grapefruity 2008 Cuatro Rayas Rueda Verdejo (£5.99, 12.5%, Marks & Spencer), the rich, flavoursome, full-throttle 2006 Gigondas, Domaine de Notre Dame des Pallières (£9.99, 14.5%, Majestic), the delicate, cherry stone-scented 2007 Frappato, COS, Sicilia (£12.99, 12%, Les Caves de Pyrène, 01483 554 750, lescaves.co.uk) and the powerful, age-worthy, plum and blackcurrant fruity 2005 Quinta de la Rosa Reserve, Douro (£22.95, 14%, Berry Brothers, bbr.com).