Essex

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/Untitled-design-12.jpg" alt="Jack Watts Peter Watts Wines" class="wp-image-13522" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/Untitled-design-12.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/Untitled-design-12-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/Untitled-design-12-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/Untitled-design-12-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



You should know by now that Muddy Essex HQ’s all about championing local businesses (and if not put yourself in the naughty corner). Peter Watts Wines is just that – an importer of quality wine to&nbsp;pubs, shops, restaurants and hotels throughout Essex and further afield. They host events, too, including&nbsp;a French Masters wine tasting on 1 September (£50pp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.peterwattswines.co.uk/buy-wine-here/THE-FRENCH-MASTERS-WINE-TASTING-FRIDAY-1ST-SEPTEMBER-2023-p580558088" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">buy tickets here</a>).&nbsp;It’s also worth checking out their shop to pick up a bottle or two (or 12 if you’re like me). They even offer home delivery and click and collect – win win! Head&nbsp;<a href="https://www.peterwattswines.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">to their website</a>&nbsp;for info on all the tipples to buy – but not before you’ve read where&nbsp;Peter Watts Wines’ Jack loves to drink and why. Ready? Off you go!



Your first job in the drinks’ biz? I’ve been here for 15 years, so this! Unless you count working as a waiter.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/2-14.jpg" alt="Bollinger Champagne" class="wp-image-13455" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/2-14.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/2-14-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/2-14-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/2-14-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Career highlight? Going to Bollinger in Champagne and tasting the whole range including the RD, which was amazing. As we came up the stairs there was a giant bullet with 007 engraved on it with a special bottle inside. That was cool to see! I’ve also visited Rioja several times. I’m very much a Rioja nerd, and our producer offers so much variety in his range.



Most memorable moment at work? Travelling and seeing different wine regions around the world, although I haven’t done much in a few years as we’ve been so busy. And secondly, for all the wrong reasons, we had a pallet of Gevrey-Chambertin (pricey red Burgundy at £100 a bottle) smash all over the yard, because the pallet was broken. We salvaged some, but there were casualties. Thank the wine gods for insurance!&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/7-8.jpg" alt="Peter Watts Wines" class="wp-image-13456" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/7-8.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/7-8-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/7-8-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/7-8-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



How would you sum up your drinks philosophy? Buy less – but buy better. We find people come to our shop to just grab a few nice bottles around £20 and up, as they want a gift or something to go with dinner. Also, experiment – if you have a good local wine shop support them. They need it now more than ever, offering an excellent personal service to help you find something you’ll love.&nbsp;



You’re celebrating. What are you ordering? A bit of a cliché, but a bottle of our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.peterwattswines.co.uk/buy-wine-here/Joly-Grand-Brut-de-Reserve-Champagne-NV-MAGNUM-p509216560">excellent Joly Champagne</a>&nbsp;who we have dealt with for nearly 40 years. They’re superb small growers of Champers with considerable bottle age!



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/6-8.jpg" alt="Motorhead" class="wp-image-13457" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/6-8.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/6-8-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/6-8-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/6-8-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



It’s a lock in. Which famous names are you propping up the bar with? David Attenborough, as he’d have great stories and could document the occasion. Eminem – even though he doesn’t drink I’d love to pick his brains. Margot Robbie; for obvious reasons. I’d loved to have hung out with Lemmy from Motörhead, too, because I imagine that would’ve got pretty wild.



What’s on your boozy bucket list?&nbsp; It would be great to visit the Simonsig Wine Estate in South Africa when time allows. We get lots of customers saying how lovely it is. I’d also like to go to New Zealand and Australia and visit the vineyards we deal with there.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/5-8.jpg" alt="The Pipeline in Brighton" class="wp-image-13458" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/5-8.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/5-8-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/5-8-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/5-8-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Best bar you’ve visited? The Pipeline in Brighton – a rock bar with excellent jukebox and drinks selection. Blondies in London also has a similar vibe and puts on gigs. And an honourable mention to The Black Heart in Camden. Gordon’s Wine Bar is also good to visit when I’m in the city, as it’s pretty legendary.&nbsp;



What about your local go-to? Number 92 in Braintree is smashing it. They’re offering quirky drinks, good food and it’s got a great atmosphere. I love that they won Best Bar in Essex <a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/awards/winners/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">in your recent awards</a>. Well-deserved indeed.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/4-8.jpg" alt="Prosecco" class="wp-image-13459" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/4-8.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/4-8-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/4-8-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/4-8-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Most overrated drink? I hate to say it but Prosecco, as there’s many other options out there. We stock some lovely French sparklers in white and rosé that are very popular and have proven so in tastings. You also get great fizz from South Africa, Spain and Australia, and the value’s really good.



And most underrated? Chardonnay. It’s become fashionable to dislike the grape, and there’s even the phrase ‘ABC’ – Anything But Chardonnay. But it’s worth remembering that some of the world’s great whites are made from it, including Chablis, Meursault and Puligny Montrachet. It’s also a vital component in Champagne blends. It was somewhat ruined by new world heavily-oaked versions of yesteryear, but has a lot to offer. Give some a try – you’ll be pleasantly surprised.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/1-13.jpg" alt="Japan" class="wp-image-13460" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/1-13.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/1-13-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/1-13-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/1-13-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Where would you love to explore just for the drinks? Japan. It would be great to get more into sake and its different types. I’ve tried it hot and really enjoyed it, but it’s not something I’ve dived into much as of yet.



Favourite drink on holiday?&nbsp; Wine; especially quirkier local grape varieties that aren’t seen in the UK a lot. I was recently in Slovenia and tried some beautiful ones there. I’m also a cocktail fan and like a Caipirinha when I go to Portugal (yes, I know it’s Brazilian in origin). It has a bit of a kick but is also very refreshing.&nbsp;



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Favourite drinks gadget? My trusty Vacuvin. They aren’t expensive and you can use them to give your wine a bit more time to drink, due to them creating a seal to avoid oxidation. Also, my waiter’s friend – best corkscrew ever.



Any other tipple you enjoy? A decent spiced rum with coke and ice. Rum’s supposedly the next big thing after gin, so watch this space!



What’s your number one tip, drinks-wise? Try different wines and listen to your wine merchant if you’ve a local independent nearby. They’ll recommend wines similar to what you enjoy, and you may discover a new favourite. And don’t be afraid to try a glass of something in a restaurant you’ve not tried before. Any establishment worth their salt will be able to guide you as well.



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Final Q: what’s your best hangover cure? A super-sugary cup of tea along with loads of water, paracetamol, and a full English. Old school, but a good one. I cannot and will not do hair of the dog. No Bloody Mary for me!



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-win">WIN!</h2>



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Peter Watts Wines are giving away wine to three lucky Muddy Essex followers! The lucky so-and-sos will pick two bottles of either the Mavida Estate Sauvignon, Château Saint-Louis la Perdrix Grenache Syrah Rosé, or Santalba Seleccion Rioja. We&#8217;ll drink to that! Head to our <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CwP1aXNo4TZ/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Insta page for how to enter</a>.

Drinks on me! Jack Watts of Coggeshall’s Peter Watts Wines

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