Wine shop began after meeting of minds at college

AFTER they completed the wine business degree at Plumpton College in East Sussex, Henry Breeze and Robert Poole opened Symposium, an independent wine merchant and wine bar, based in the pretty town of Lewes. “There wasn’t a wine shop in the town so we saw a potential gap in the market,” recalls Robert. “We found an old Indian restaurant and after extensive renovations we opened for business in September 2011.”

Nine years on and Symposium has become an established part of the High Street and the pair are proud of their eclectic range, driven by quality and a desire to find unusual wines that make interesting alternatives to customers’ typical choices. “The wine world is so diverse this approach makes it even more enjoyable,” they say.

As with most merchants, the lockdown has been challenging.With the shop and wine bar closed to customers, the focus immediately turned to home deliveries, mostly the same day, in the local area while sending out wines nationally via courier. “Fortunately the retail side was always our strongest element,” says Henry. “Our regulars kept ordering and we picked up new customers too, so we’ve made it through the first couple of months of lockdown positively.”

Their five wines below are a reflection of their love of the unusual. Robert added: “They may not be from the bargain basement end but, in these uncertain times, they provide something special and an experience that is new and exciting.” Check out their website: symposium-finewine.co.uk – and enjoy their choices.

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