Consultancy Services

I increasingly receive samples from wine-producers who want to export to the UK, with requests to taste and evaluate them and often to recommend them to independent importers in the UK. In the past I have done what I can when I have the time, but I’m now having to put the whole thing on a formal footing. In addition I am occasionally approached by exporters who want their web sites and brochures to be more ‘user-friendly’ in the English speaking world. In response to these needs, I offer two sets of services:

(A) Evaluation of wines
I’m always delighted to receive samples of new vintages, new wines, and start-up wineries and, if they’re good enough and the opportunity presents itself, I may very well write about them. It’s always good to see new talent coming into the market and I am very keen to promote it when it does.

As a freelance, however, my time is precious and that’s why I’m offering the following opportunities to interested exporters:

OPTION 1: Please feel free to send me samples of new wines/vintages for interest's sake and, if they are good enough and the opportunity arises, I'll write about them, perhaps in magazines or on my blog at www.johnradford.com/blog/blogger.html. Please always include contact details for the producer (ideally on a sticker on each bottle, with a contact name) and an approximate ex-cellars price. There is no charge for this service. If I do get the opportunity to write about the wines, clients may quote what I have written as long as there's a link/credit to the magazine/website/blog. There is no guarantee that I will write about the wines.

OPTION 2: Tasting and evaluation of wines - a full and formal tasting across a 12-hour period (freshly-opened, after four hours, and with food) with detailed tasting notes and a realistic appraisal of the wines' potential in the UK market including presentation and marketing advice. Please always include contact details for the producer (ideally on a sticker on each bottle, with a contact name) and an approximate ex-cellars price. The charge for this is €200 for up to 6 bottles, €400 for 7-12, and other quantities pro rata, payable by banker's draft. Clients may quote me in press-release and brochure copy on a vintage-specific basis for this service.