Producers took their places under the glorious ceilings of Drapers Hall, London – from Germany, Austria and Alsace to Champagne, with France, England, Italy, Portugal and even Sweden well represented on the way. New World wines were on show from Argentina, Chile, US, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.
For a business that began life in 1986, Awin Barratt Siegel Wine Agencies (ABS) has emerged over the years as an important cog in the UK wine industry.
It acts as an umbilical cord, a link between those same producers across the world and the UK’s independent trade.
Glorious setting - London's Draper's Hall, ABS portfolio tasting, September 30, 2025
Current state of play
ABS is a six time winner of the IWSC Wine Importer of the Year trophy and it is moving forward. This was the first portfolio tasting since its acquisition of Jackson Nugent Vintners (JNV). Setting up my visit a few days earlier, marketing manager Lesley Gray told me that JNV “with its links to the on-trade, is seen as a complementary bolt on to a certain extent”.
And so, what lies ahead for ABS?
Sales director Toby de Haan told me about the lay of the land and what the future looks like.
On the current state of the industry:
De Haan says: “The market is tough right now – duty rates are squeezing margins and the hospitality sector has been hit hard with closures and reduced demand.
“Disruption and change in consumer patterns also creates opportunity and this is where ABS can offer real value to our customers.”
On the JNV acquisition:
“ABS and JNV have worked closely together for over two decades.
“The acquisition enables ABS to work directly with channels previously supplied by JNV (London on-trade, private members clubs, Duty Free)”
On highs and lows; past, present and future:
“Right now, the industry is under pressure, but ABS is positioned to meet those challenges head on.
“Looking forward, the future is about turning today’s disruption into opportunity and we’re well placed to do exactly that.”
To find out more about ABS go to its website
Some highlights from the ABS 2025 portfolio tasting
Robert Weil (left) and export manager Julius Paetzold
Robert Weil Kiedrich Turmberg Riesling Trocken 2023
This was first time at the ABS portfolio tasting for Weingut Robert Weil, founded four generations ago by Dr Robert Weil. In Draper’s Hall the wines were presented by his descendant, another Robert Weil. This Riesling is pinpoint precise, with flavours that last longer than the Duracell bunny and then some; green apple, citrus and peach, together with wet knife minerality. Riesling from the Rheingau is this producer’s focus and its motto strives for “quality through the union of tradition and modernity.”
Jean Stodden Spätburgunder 2022
So many other tempting German wines at this tasting, yet so little time. With names such as Dr Loosen, Dönnhoff, Louis Guntrum and Johner, where to turn? I wanted to highlight this red fruit dappled Spätburgunder made from hand-picked grapes in the Ahr Valley because of a label. It’s not Stodden’s top Spätburgunder by any means, but it is the only one that shows a picture of a bridge. It’s a bridge that was destroyed, along with vineyards, in the disastrous floods of 2021. Recovery is still ongoing and the label has been dedicated to the memory of what happened. It made my heart full.
Jane Clare with Alberto Guolo from Casas del Bosque
Casas del Bosque La Trampa 2022
Casas del Bosque is about as cool climate as you can get in Chile, being just 18km away from the Pacific in the Casablanca Valley. Winemaker Alberto Guolo led me through some classic cool styles – such as Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Guolo gleans much satisfaction from Casas del Bosque La Trampa 2022, its grapes coming from the winery’s warmest vineyard, where a mist is trapped in the morning. It’s a “magical place” he says. Syrah plays the starring role, then Malbec (35%) and Pinot Noir (5%) which Guolo says adds freshness.
Vini Be Good
I enjoy a table to myself with wines to self-pour; and with Vini Be Good I found an eclectic bunch of Loire wines from various winemakers. It is a distribution cooperative in that winemakers use their joint strength to market wines made in their own wineries. It’s not a cooperative in that they send their grapes to one overall winery. I sensed playfulness and togetherness here, ably helped by one of my favourite wine styles, Sancerre, and lovely Loire grapes such as Cabernet Franc, Chenin and Pineau d’Aunis.
Nick Siersema of Mousehall with Tidebrook Staddle Stone Chardonnay 2022
Tidebrook Staddle Stone Chardonnay 2022
Mousehole Distillery & Winery in East Sussex was founded in 2017 by Gary and Kathy Jordan, the owners of Jordan Wine Estate in South Africa (also at the event). Mousehall was a neglected property, but the Jordans saw the potential. Now it is home to a distillery, and the first wine vintage was in 2022. The Staddle Stone Chardonnay (so-named because of boundary stones around the property) is gently buttery with fresh green apples. A pleasant surprise was Tidebrook Medieval Monk Pinot Gris 2023 which was softly rounded with quince and tickles of spice.
Michael Regaud with Château la Tuilerie du Puy Bordeaux Supérieur
Château la Tuilerie du Puy Bordeaux Supérieur
Ahead of the event I watched a video on the ABS website of a Bordeaux winemaker on a horse in his vineyards, stopping to talk to camera while his dog panted alongside. Then they all ran off the way they had come. When I spoke to Michaël Regaud of Château la Tuilerie du Puy in Draper’s Hall, he was minus dog and horse. There’s something easily friendly and unquestioning about this Bordeaux white Château la Tuilerie du Puy Entre-Deux-Mers (Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscadelle, Sauvignon Gris); and it’s lovely to enjoy a taste of a familiar red Bordeaux style such as Château la Tuilerie du Puy Bordeaux Supérieur, much like settling into a conversation with an old chum.
Simon Cowham with Sons of Eden Romulus Old Vines Shiraz
Sons of Eden Romulus Old Vines Shiraz 2021
I was won over by the four wines being shown by Barossa-based Sons of Eden. The winery is so-named because Simon Cowham and Corey Ryan honed their skills in the Eden Valley. Romulus is from old Shiraz vines (over 50 years) in the Barossa and its twin wine, Sons of Eden Remus Shiraz 2021, is from the Eden Valley. Romulus is from the warmer climate, with a ripe boldness; and Remus has olives, lavender, violets and garrigue.
Nittardi Ad Astra DOC Maremma, 2022
When the end of a tasting draws near I’m on people’s shoulders, “which table do you recommend?” Several fingers pointed to Nittardi. This wine’s name “ad astra” comes from a Latin phrase meaning “a rough road leads to the stars”. Here is Sangiovese (half of the blend) with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and 5% of Merlot, partnering to make a silky, elegant, moreish, spice-dappled, sip of plums and black cherries. A sister wine, Nittardi Chianti Classico Belcanto 2022 also wanted to be on my photo and I couldn’t say no, as it’s an ethereal, herbal, cherry crunch of a chianti classico.
Andrea Sundgren of Brannland Iscider
Brännland Apple Ice 2024
You can’t keep this girl away from a dessert wine. Ah but! In this case it wasn’t wine but cider and to be precise, a Swedish ice cider. It is known as Cidre de Glace in its homeland. This Apple Ice - one of four offerings on the Brännland table - is made by freezing the apple juice over winter, and then, in Spring, it begins to ferment. It is described as a Swedish spätlese, and what can I say but, hello. High acidity, citrus and stone fruit. Delicious.
Jane Clare DipWSET, One Foot in the Grapes, is a freelance journalist and wine educator for the WSET
