Planning for the future
You don’t have to be a connoisseur to start a Cellar Plan. In fact, it can be the perfect catalyst for a love affair with wine.
Marriage can have a powerful effect on a man. Two years ago, when Ian Fish (pictured on the right) was preparing to marry his Greek fiancée Myrto, he was a confirmed beer drinker who, by his own admission, had had little exposure to wine and, at the age of 40, saw no reason to change. Today Ian is a self-confessed wine enthusiast who has almost daily contact with his Berrys Account Manager, Ben Upjohn (pictured on the left), and is steadily building up an impressive stock of fine wine through a Cellar Plan, which he started six months ago.
“My wife has taught me, and taught me well,” he admits.
As luck would have it, Ian’s office is right opposite Berrys’ London shop. So, wanting a nice bottle of red to impress Myrto over dinner, he popped in one day in search of advice. Senior Sales Executive Francis Huicq handled his enquiry. “He was very patient with me, very professional and warm. And now whenever I go in, he always remembers my name.” Ian got his bottle of red. He also signed up for a Cellar Plan.
“It seemed to me to be the perfect opportunity to be really educated about wine – what with Berrys’ knowledge and expertise over how the beautiful drink is made, but also their access to top producers, it is a great combination. Also, it provided me with the opportunity to purchase amazing wines at better prices (and with flexibility on payment) before they hit the high street.”
At this point Ian had no real favourites, so Francis advised him to tick all the boxes and then handed him on to Ben, who would help him hone his Cellar Plan profile over time. “I couldn’t have asked for a nicer chap to deal with,” says Ian. “Ben’s always prompt, honest and professional, but we enjoy good banter. He’s my internet buddy.”
Sure enough, while Ian still describes himself as “an enthusiast, not an expert”, he has increased his understanding of good wine, largely thanks to the Cellar Update emails he receives, and has begun to identify his favourites. “I am a big fan of Barolo and I really enjoy Ch. d’Aquéria, Tavel Rosé with my summer barbecues. We’re partial to Champagne too.”
Indeed, Ian’s star purchase to date is a case of 2002 Dom Pérignon, which Ben managed to salvage from the jaws of disaster. “Ben’s email arrived early in the morning to alert me about cases of this liquid gold becoming available but, due to a hectic working morning, I forgot to reply quickly enough and when I finally got round to it the Champagne was gone. The colour drained from my face; I had promised my very excited wife that a case of six bottles would be ours. However, Ben went away, fought monsters and demons and came back later the same day with an email confirming that a case was indeed available for my cellar. And Myrto and I are still blissfully married to this day!”
The Dom Pérignon still resides in Berrys’ bonded warehouse, waiting for the day that Ian and Myrto decide to break it open. For a couple who buy wine to drink, the only question is: how will they be able to cope with the waiting game?
Ian’s answer is simple. “We’re not in it for investment, we’re in it for enjoyment… and in a few years’ time we’re going to really enjoy ourselves!”
START YOUR OWN CELLAR PLAN
Berrys’ Cellar Plan is designed to help you build up a fine wine collection that is tailored to your taste and budget. With Cellar Plans starting from £100 per month, you’ll soon have an enviable wine collection to enjoy for years to come.
GET A FREE CASE OF 2009 CRU CLASSÉ CLARET when you start a Cellar Plan of £250 or more. The more you pay into your Plan, the higher the value of your free case.
Marriage can have a powerful effect on a man. Two years ago, when Ian Fish (pictured on the right) was preparing to marry his Greek fiancée Myrto, he was a confirmed beer drinker who, by his own admission, had had little exposure to wine and, at the age of 40, saw no reason to change. Today Ian is a self-confessed wine enthusiast who has almost daily contact with his Berrys Account Manager, Ben Upjohn (pictured on the left), and is steadily building up an impressive stock of fine wine through a Cellar Plan, which he started six months ago.
“My wife has taught me, and taught me well,” he admits.
As luck would have it, Ian’s office is right opposite Berrys’ London shop. So, wanting a nice bottle of red to impress Myrto over dinner, he popped in one day in search of advice. Senior Sales Executive Francis Huicq handled his enquiry. “He was very patient with me, very professional and warm. And now whenever I go in, he always remembers my name.” Ian got his bottle of red. He also signed up for a Cellar Plan.
“It seemed to me to be the perfect opportunity to be really educated about wine – what with Berrys’ knowledge and expertise over how the beautiful drink is made, but also their access to top producers, it is a great combination. Also, it provided me with the opportunity to purchase amazing wines at better prices (and with flexibility on payment) before they hit the high street.”
At this point Ian had no real favourites, so Francis advised him to tick all the boxes and then handed him on to Ben, who would help him hone his Cellar Plan profile over time. “I couldn’t have asked for a nicer chap to deal with,” says Ian. “Ben’s always prompt, honest and professional, but we enjoy good banter. He’s my internet buddy.”
Sure enough, while Ian still describes himself as “an enthusiast, not an expert”, he has increased his understanding of good wine, largely thanks to the Cellar Update emails he receives, and has begun to identify his favourites. “I am a big fan of Barolo and I really enjoy Ch. d’Aquéria, Tavel Rosé with my summer barbecues. We’re partial to Champagne too.”
Indeed, Ian’s star purchase to date is a case of 2002 Dom Pérignon, which Ben managed to salvage from the jaws of disaster. “Ben’s email arrived early in the morning to alert me about cases of this liquid gold becoming available but, due to a hectic working morning, I forgot to reply quickly enough and when I finally got round to it the Champagne was gone. The colour drained from my face; I had promised my very excited wife that a case of six bottles would be ours. However, Ben went away, fought monsters and demons and came back later the same day with an email confirming that a case was indeed available for my cellar. And Myrto and I are still blissfully married to this day!”
The Dom Pérignon still resides in Berrys’ bonded warehouse, waiting for the day that Ian and Myrto decide to break it open. For a couple who buy wine to drink, the only question is: how will they be able to cope with the waiting game?
Ian’s answer is simple. “We’re not in it for investment, we’re in it for enjoyment… and in a few years’ time we’re going to really enjoy ourselves!”
START YOUR OWN CELLAR PLAN
Berrys’ Cellar Plan is designed to help you build up a fine wine collection that is tailored to your taste and budget. With Cellar Plans starting from £100 per month, you’ll soon have an enviable wine collection to enjoy for years to come.
GET A FREE CASE OF 2009 CRU CLASSÉ CLARET when you start a Cellar Plan of £250 or more. The more you pay into your Plan, the higher the value of your free case.
For more information, contact The Cellar Plan Team
9.00am to 6.00pm Monday to Friday
Tel: 44 (0) 1256 340 123
Fax: 44 (0) 1256 340149
Email: finewine@bbr.com
 
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