Don't just drink with the herd, be independent

HERE are more than 1,000 specialist wine merchants in the UK, up by about a third over the past decade despite all the high street's well-publicised problems.

- by Matt Nixson

The truth is, no matter how much we love supermarket wine (great value, and these days aisles boast decent selections), nothing beats a friendly indie seller. Especially when you get over your shyness, and realise just because they know about wine, it doesn't make them snobby or unfriendly.