I really must thank all our customers for their great support this month and particularly in December. Like every other business we didn't know what to expect this Christmas.
Well it turned out good. Our best. We were lucky I think. Because we have great customers. I'm not boasting or flaunting in any way. We’re just lucky to have you all. Just saying thanks.
Welcome (tardy … I always have been slow with thank you letters) to 2009. Which happens to be my 40th year selling wine. In 1969 this company was just me and a case of twelve half-bottle samples knocking on doors around Windsor and Maidenhead. The first customers only bought because they felt sorry for me.
I thought it was tough back then. Well, it’s tougher now!
Today wine and wine prices seem to have everything stacked against them. What did we do so wrong that the powers-that-be have so got it in for wine? With endless dire warnings, finger-wagging lectures, new rules that almost crush small businesses like our wine producers and HUGE (but crafty) tax hikes.
Well they won't win. Here at Laithwaites we’re all working very hard. Be assured we will compete strongly in 2009. And not just against competitors!
Another 40 years? Well, I would be 103 but who knows? I've been told to 'go for it'! There's a belief in parts of Scotland that if you can find EXACTLY the correct amount of Scotch to drink, you will live forever. I think that's possibly true for wine too. I base this belief on knowing so many sprightly old wine producers and consumers. Get the balance right and keep the quality high is the trick. See you in 2049.
Meantime for your amusement may we offer a few little You Tube-type film clips on some of our wines? We found we had a talented filmaker doing a stint in one of our shops to brush up his knowledge. So we put him to better use and …well, see for yourself:
Roche Lacour video
Le XV du Président video
Le Grand Chai Pomerol video
El Bombero video
Farnese Trebbiano video
How are we expected to get through the current global mess without a restoring drink at the end of each appalling day? Has good old wine been there to comfort civilised people for over 5000 years just to be wiped out by New Puritans who give us a dreadful life and then expect us to get through it without a glass or so? Rant Rant Rant. Sorry, mustn’t go on, but I mean, they push you too far!
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