One of Harborough’s independent retailers has scooped a prestigious national award. Duncan Murray Wines of Adam & Eve Street, Market Harborough won ‘Independent Wine Merchant’ in the Portuguese Wine Awards 2010 on Thursday 11th February.
The Portuguese Wine Awards seek to reward individuals and businesses who have made a significant contribution to promoting Portuguese wine in the UK. This year there were 5 categories: National Retailer Award; Restaurant Award; Journalism Award; Merchant Award and Special Award. Duncan Murray Wines was nominated in the Merchant Category along with ‘Cambridge Wine Merchants’ – a well-established, highly successful business with 8 outlets.
The judges selected Duncan Murray Wines because of their passion and enthusiasm for promoting Portuguese wine. Nick Oakley, the outgoing Chairman of the awards committee emphasized to the delighted winners that the award had not been decided on the volume of sales or the range of wine available, but on the fact that the shop had “seized the chance to promote Portuguese wines with both hands”. Duncan Murray was absolutely dumbstruck when his name was called out, but swiftly recovered and went on to say in his usual understated fashion: “Hooray! I can’t believe we’ve won. This is absolutely fantastic!”
The awards were presented during a sumptuous dinner hosted by his Excellency, the Portuguese Ambassador, Mr António Santana Carlos at his residence in Knightsbridge. Attending the awards dinner were a host of prestigious movers and shakers within the Portuguese wine industry including wine producers, importers, journalists and representative of the official body promoting Portuguese wine, ‘ViniPortugal’.
With their award certificate now hanging proudly in the shop, Duncan Murray Wines intends to build on this success and make even greater efforts to shout about the virtues of Portuguese wine.
Contacts : Duncan & Megan Murray 01858 464 935 info@duncanmurraywines.co.uk
