Bucks &amp; Oxon


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1080" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/Oliver-Gauntlett.jpg" alt="Drinks on me: Oliver Gauntlett, Eynsham Cellars " class="wp-image-148915" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/Oliver-Gauntlett.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/Oliver-Gauntlett-800x576.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/Oliver-Gauntlett-1000x720.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/Oliver-Gauntlett-400x288.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/Oliver-Gauntlett-729x525.jpg 729w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>I always find it so impressive when people seriously know their wine &#8211; I have a habit of finding one I like and then sticking to it like glue &#8211; so I always try and collar the experts whenever possible. Enter wine merchant and all-round lovely guy Oliver Gauntlett, who set up shop at the Muddy Award-winning <a href="https://www.eynshamcellars.com">Eynsham Cellars</a> thirteen years ago and has been topping up local glasses ever since. </p>



<p>If you’re intrigued after reading our Muddy factfile, don’t forget that Eynsham Cellars is hosting the first-ever <a href="https://www.eynshamcellars.com/witney-wine-festival">Witney Wine Festival</a> at the Witney Corn Exchange on Sat 7 Oct! You’ll be able to taste a selection from over 120 wines (all handpicked by Oliver and the team, naturally) as well as meet producers and attend a tasting masterclass. Maybe I’ll finally ditch the trusty Sauvignon Blanc and find a new favourite. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1167" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/Eynsham-Cellars.jpg" alt="Eynsham Cellars" class="wp-image-148919" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/Eynsham-Cellars.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/Eynsham-Cellars-800x622.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/Eynsham-Cellars-1000x778.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/Eynsham-Cellars-400x311.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/Eynsham-Cellars-675x525.jpg 675w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Now, over to Oliver.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-your-first-job-in-the-drinks-biz"><strong>Your first job in the drinks biz? </strong></h2>



<p>I worked in the Thresher wine shop on Walton Street in Oxford in 2003 &#8211; I was only about 18 so my palate wasn’t particularly refined by that point!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Your biggest career highlight</strong>?</h2>



<p>Opening up my own wine shop in Eynsham aged 24 with a colleague after we were both made redundant from the Summertown Wine Rack, which sadly folded.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>How would you sum up your drinks philosophy?</strong></h2>



<p>I like to work with people, and deal directly with small businesses who produce fabulous drinks, from all around the world. I love to surprise people with something delicious they wouldn’t have picked up off the shelf.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Most memorable moment at work?</strong></h2>



<p>Introducing my newborn daughter to the shop. She’s spent plenty of time in the there, and out on the road with me since. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>What names would you be propping up the bar with?</strong></h2>



<p>The late Chef Keith Floyd! He loved his wine, was a big character and I’m sure he’d have some brilliant stories.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>You’re celebrating, what are you ordering?</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1001" height="847" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/Langham-Blanc-de-Blanc-sparkling-wine.png" alt="Langham Blanc de Blanc sparkling wine" class="wp-image-148916" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/Langham-Blanc-de-Blanc-sparkling-wine.png 1001w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/Langham-Blanc-de-Blanc-sparkling-wine-800x677.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/Langham-Blanc-de-Blanc-sparkling-wine-400x338.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/Langham-Blanc-de-Blanc-sparkling-wine-620x525.png 620w" sizes="(max-width: 1001px) 100vw, 1001px" /></figure>



<p>Langham Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine from Dorset.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The best bar you’ve ever visited?</strong></h2>



<p>Domaine Laroche’s private bar in Chablis, Northern Burgundy. The owners left us the keys, and we were there until 4am…</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>What’s on your boozy bucket list? </strong></h2>



<p>Grand Constance 1821. There are only about 12 bottles in the world though, and one just sold for about £21k! They were meant to be sent to Napoleon when he was imprisoned on the island of St Helena, but he died before the wine was ready. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>What&nbsp;drink do you think people should appreciate, but don’t?</strong></h2>



<p>Sherry! There is nothing in the wine world that gets close in terms of value for money.&nbsp;If you go for a VOS it’s over 20 years old, and VORS sherries are over 30 years old &#8211; that’s a lot of bang for your buck. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Most overrated drink and the better alternative? </strong></h2>



<p>Red Burgundy. 90% of it is overpriced and unreliable. I’m loving German Pinot Noir (known as Spatburgunder), which for the quality is often a fraction of the cost.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Is there a country you would love to explore more just for the drinks?</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/nenad-gataric-2GZvGZh4dJc-unsplash.jpg" alt="Stellenbosch" class="wp-image-148917" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/nenad-gataric-2GZvGZh4dJc-unsplash.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/nenad-gataric-2GZvGZh4dJc-unsplash-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/nenad-gataric-2GZvGZh4dJc-unsplash-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/nenad-gataric-2GZvGZh4dJc-unsplash-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/nenad-gataric-2GZvGZh4dJc-unsplash-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>South Africa. The wine regions are all so beautiful, the hospitality is unrivalled and there are some excellent wines now coming out of regions like Swartland, as well as the classic regions like Stellenbosch (above) and Franschhoek.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Favourite things to drink on holiday? </strong></h2>



<p>You can’t beat a classic Negroni.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Favourite drinks gadget? </strong></h2>



<p>A simple, trusty, double hinged Waiter’s Friend corkscrew. Unless you have something several decades old, this and a good glass is all you need.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Favourite ingredient and why?</strong></h2>



<p>Vermouth. It deserves more respect in this country &#8211; it can be great just served chilled with a slice, or can be used in a Martini or Negroni. It’s also great for cooking, so I always have some in the house.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Is there one tip on wine that you like to share with everyone?</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="846" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/ANIM_5332_f904c775300a67629f780860d85ac5ee__banner2.jpg" alt="Eynsham Cellars" class="wp-image-148918" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/ANIM_5332_f904c775300a67629f780860d85ac5ee__banner2.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/ANIM_5332_f904c775300a67629f780860d85ac5ee__banner2-800x451.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/ANIM_5332_f904c775300a67629f780860d85ac5ee__banner2-1000x564.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/ANIM_5332_f904c775300a67629f780860d85ac5ee__banner2-400x226.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/ANIM_5332_f904c775300a67629f780860d85ac5ee__banner2-900x508.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>Red wine at Eynsham Cellars</figcaption></figure>



<p>Most red wine is served too warm, and whites served far too cold. If it’s red, pop it in the fridge for 30 mins. If it’s white, take it out 30 mins before you want it.<strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Best hangover cure?</strong></h2>



<p>Lots of water, bacon and eggs, an espresso with a sugar and we’re good to go. This works for me, and I’m often then tasting wine again at 10am!</p>



<p><em><a href="https://www.eynshamcellars.com">Eynsham Cellars</a>, 43 Mill St, Eynsham, Witney, Oxfordshire OX29 4JX</em></p>


Drinks on me: Oliver Gauntlett, Eynsham Cellars

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