TESCO'S REWIND
In the eighty years since founder Jack Cohen used his army gratuity to set up a stall in London's East End, his Tesco stores have become the UKs premier supermarket chain. There are almost 700 in the UK plus stores in Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, Thailand and South Korea.

They're the world's largest e-tailer, selling more than twice as much over the web as the next biggest, Aholds of Germany and they also operate Safeway's on-line shopping operation in the USA. They have 12.5% of the UK petrol sales through their store-based filling stations.

And they have well over a million customers for their financial services. You can have your salary paid into Tesco's bank, insure your house and yourself with Tesco's, and use your Tesco credit card for your purchases - earning Tesco loyalty points as you do so.

Britons trust Tesco. And that trust has been a factor in gaining acceptance of screwcap sealed wine. Last year Tesco spearheaded a move to screwcaps with their promotion of a range of 28 wines specially bottled for them under the slogan 'Unwind'. They're selling about a million bottles every month, the range now has 35 wine and Tesco plan to increase the range to over 60 wines.

Tesco's standard list has 25 New Zealand wines, from their own label Dry White at £3.79 to Montana Reserve Pinot Noir at £9.99. Montana has nine wines, including an 'East Coast Pinotage' at 6.99. This is the only widely distributed NZ Pinotage in the UK and was made especially for Tesco with their wine buyer, Phil Reedman MW, working with Jeff Clarke of Montana. It's a shame we do not see more NZ Pinotage. Tesco stock Babich Winemakers Reserve Syrah (£7.49) and each time I visit I hope to see Babich's wonderful Pinotage also.

They also stock Nobilo White Cloud £4.29 which brings back fond memories of working in Europe as it was served on British Airways and offered a richness and flavour rarely found in the air.

Tesco also receives consignments of Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc. This iconic wine rarely gets as far as the shelves as in store wine advisors allocate it to friends and favoured customers. (see View from Snorbens 3 for more Cloudy Bay memories).

IN THE PAPERS
The Scotsman newspaper reported this phone call to Howies restaurant in Edinburgh

"How mich d'yer charge for corkage?"

"Three pounds."

"How much fir a screwtap?"

NEW BEGINNINGS
In November my employer made me an offer I couldn't refuse. For the second time in six months they were shedding staff. First time it hadn't been voluntary. This time those of us over 50 years were invited to take early retirement. They made a generous offer. With effect from 6 January 2003 for the first time in my adult life I became unemployed.

I wrote and taught end user computing courses for IBM and am now looking for short or long-term contract work. I already have some work and also a commission with an American magazine to write about my other interest unusual wine labels, so if you hear of something please mention me. My website has my details.

If you have been, thanks for reading.

© Peter May
18 January 2003

Any feedback? Send it to Peter.