Amps Blog
Calling Pinot Noir Fans
We can't wait for this event later this month. Why not get a ticket and join us for an evening filled with fantastic wines and great company? [video width="1080" height="1080"...
Our flagship events of the year
written by team member Danielle If you've attended either our Annual Spring or Annual Winter flagship events of the year before, then you'll know why we're getting excited that our 2024 Winter event is just around the corner. For those considering attending for the...
Beaujolais Nouveau is back!
written by team member Danielle What is Beaujolais Nouveau? Beaujolais Nouveau is the new red wine from the first harvest of Gamay grapes in the Beaujolais region of France. What makes it special? It’s one of only a handful of wines produced, bottled, and released...
Fabulous NZ Pinot Noir to rival Burgundy
written by Philip Amps The grape Pinot Noir’s natural home is Burgundy but this notoriously fickle grape variety has found a new home in New Zealand. The industry and wine writers are now getting hugely excited by the wines produced there. As Burgundy prices...
Why attend a wine dinner?
written by team member, Maddy. Why come to a wine dinner over a regular tasting? We pride ourselves on offering a mix of different events, many working with an outstanding selection of local businesses. Our wine dinners are intended to give a different experience...
Fast Facts about Pinot Noir
written by team member Danielle Uncover the fascinating world of Pinot Noir with these six essential facts. This beloved red grape, known for its elegance and complexity, has a storied past and a vibrant presence in vineyards worldwide, making it a favourite among...
Autumn Digital Brochure
Introducing our very first digital brochure! Everything is designed to be clickable, guiding you right to the relevant sections of our website for further details or online shopping. We’d love your feedback on this format - please drop us an email. Click the image...
Is drinking red wine cool?
written by team member Danielle Have you ever tried drinking red wine cool? You might be surprised to learn that some grape varieties actually taste better when served a bit cooler, especially during warm summer days. Let’s explore which reds can benefit from a...
Introducing: SIP&SHOP
We’re making the most of summer here at Amps, so join us every Saturday at our Market Place store for Sip&Shop, where we’ll have a range of wines to purchase by the glass and enjoy outside in the peaceful courtyard area. All of the wines are available to sample...
Meet the producer: Tuffon Hall
Welcome to Tuffon Hall in East Anglia, where The Crowther family produce award-winning wines from farmland they have been working for over 100 years. They pride themselves on making high quality, limited release wines by tending the vines and picking the grapes by...
Meet the producer: Nyetimber
Nyetimber is the iconic sparkling wine estate in West Sussex that's won more awards than you can pop a cork at. At Nyetimber, they have one simple aim - to make the finest English sparkling wine there is to rival the very best in the world, including Champagne -...
Meet the producer: Henners
When it comes to English wine there’s a lot to shout about, not least the stunning sparkling wines from Henners. Based just 4 miles from the sea in Herstmonceux, East Sussex, the 7 acre vineyard planted with traditional Champagne varieties of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir...
Meet the producer: Bottle Proof Cocktails
Bottle Proof Cocktails made locally in Cambridge are the UK’s most awarded pre-mixed cocktail company. They’re made from premium ingredients, fresh juices, and no preservatives… bar quality cocktails to drink at home… shaken, stirred, and served in 30 seconds! Each...
Meet the producer: Round Corner Brewing
Welcome to Round Corner Brewing, home to Uncommonly Good Beer. Based in Melton Mowbray’s historic livestock market they make beer of unmistakable character, brewed with patience, finesse, and no rough edges. Highly drinkable and exceptionally moreish, their beers...
Meet the producer: Tipplemill Gin
Tippplemill Gin is grown in harmony with nature on the Craven Family's farm in Sutterton. It's an award-winning London Dry style gin made using wheat grown on their fourth and fifth-generation run farm, ground by the tallest working windmill in the UK! After...
Meet the producer: Lyme Bay Winery
At this winery in picturesque Devon, they like to do things a little differently. Since 2015 they've been working with some of the best English winegrowers to craft award-winning still and sparkling wines. Being one of a few wineries that work with growers...
A trip to Lawson’s in New Zealand
by Philip Amps Recently I visited Lawson's Dry Hills winery in Blenheim, bang in the middle of New Zealand's famous Marlborough wine region. Belinda Jackson, sales manager, and winemaker Marcus Wright, welcomed me to the tasting room to taste through their wines....
Your Local Wine Merchant Needs YOU!
A letter from Philip Amps re: Spring Budget 2024 Please help support us as your local independent wine merchant: email your MP ahead of the Spring Budget 2024 ……………………………………………………………… Are you a wine and spirits fan? Do you love visiting us at Amps? Are you tired of...
What’s on the wine jukebox?
There's always wine open to taste when our Oundle Wharf store is open! We've got an enomatic tasting machine in our Oundle Wharf store, which works almost like a coffee machine but for wine. You select which wine you'd like to taste and a pre-measured sample...
We’ve got some great news to share…
We're one of the UK's Best Independent Wine Merchants again! We’re over the moon to be recognised one of the best amongst the UK’s 1,000+ quality independent wine merchants, for the eighth year running. The judges said “We head towards Oundle where this merchant,...
Lesley celebrates 40 years at Amps!
Written by Philip Amps On 20th September 1983, Lesley Freer joined the Amps family grocery business and very quickly moved into the accounts department working with Gladys Bosworth. When Gladys retired, Lesley took over the accounts and has been in charge of them...