• Direct Italian Wine Importers - no other middleman

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Import Italian wine, retail directly to the public by mail order (or from the warehouse door). Website: www.batwine.co.uk

Specialist Importers of Finely Made Artisan Italian Wines

Our emphasis is mostly, but not completely, on the wines of Italy. Whether from Italy, Spain or Portugal, however, we have developed a taste for wines made by men and women who cherish the history and traditions of their hills and valleys. Such individuals make wines with a sense of place and unique character. We do not buy wines for our customers – we find customers for our wines. We try to be serious when buying, but never too serious when selling.

Husband and Wife Team with a Love for Cricket and Wine

We started trading in 1994, a classic kitchen table and van operation that started simply in Uppingham, Rutland and has now travelled all the way to ....... the outskirts of Oakham, also in Rutland, the smallest county in England! This is not as bad as it sounds, as we weren't in Uppingham very long before we upped sticks and moved to Staffordshire, where we remained until 2003.

We have always been a pared down business, as all the frills are found in the stock. At first, we aimed to sell cricket bats as well as a range of wines. The cricket side has been and gone, wine remains a passion, but a much more focused one. We caught the Italian bug badly thanks to a chance meeting and an introduction to the late Felicita Pask-Hughes, a charming Italian lady who came to Britain after the war. She had a remarkable eye for quality and was fearless in the wines she imported. In a time of straw-wrapped bottles of Chianti, she was importing Isole e Olena and Sassicaia. We have carried on her mantle...