Overview

Not about 'cheap' wine or 'investment' wine, but interesting wine of value and variety, Croque-en-Bouche, run by buyer-owner Robin Jones, sell many different wines, including a range of older mature bottles; Red Rhone and Australasia are specialty areas.

Services

Croque-en-Bouche have a big list, but all of the wines are annotated with information, and detailed personal advice is part of the service. For example, WINE magazine recently celebrated 20 years with a tasting of the 1983 vintage. Being a bit light in some areas, they came to Croque-en-Bouche for advice and to buy a few bottles.

Rating

The wine list is top-rated by Oz Clarke, the 'Telegraph' Wine Guide, Matthew Jukes in the 'Daily Mail', and Which? Wine Guide - top 100. Here is an extract from an independent view, part of the ïWhich? Wine Guide 2003' entry: "The website is smartly presented and informative, full of current tips, tasting notes and background detail. It's not just the delicious upper-echelon wines that Robin Jones, the buyer-owner, gets his hands on that make the difference here, but the sheer amount of choice available, both off-beat and upbeat - including wines at decent price points too... Robin not only has a fine line in classic burgundy and bordeaux from vintages dating back to at least 1920 (Chateau Brane-Cantenac Margaux, for example), but also has a great love for unusual and eclectic stuff - hence the collection of Swiss, Canadian, Corsican, Mexican and Uruguayan wines we see. These are not just an indulgence but a reflection of a true passion for vinous individuality - and you don't always see that in a wine merchant these days.."

Delivery

Croque-en-Bouche deliver to across the UK, Europe, and almost everywhere around the world except for the US, which has severe limitations. Croque-en-Bouche can dispatch by Business Post, latest 3.00pm (except for emergencies) for next day delivery. Best Tuesday - Friday delivery, so the wine doesn't hang around in a warehouse over the weekend. Robin Jones tracks and confirms consignments on the Business Post website.