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The Personal Drinks Company

The Personal Drinks Company is a small business based in Keswick, Cumbria, in the UK. Not satisfied with running a small local shop, proprietor Alan Dunn has set up a successful mail order business based around the concept of personalised beers and wines. A novel idea, and one that is nicely executed.

The labels are well designed, with colours nicely matched to the capsules. The image, which may be produced from either a digital image or photograph, is of good quality, with no bleed from the surrounding colour. All in all the whole package is nicely put together.

As for the wines themselves, however, I didn't expect much. It could be said that products such as these are aimed at those who are more impressed with the label than what's in the bottle, so quality may be poor. I was pleasantly surprised, however, as my tasting notes no doubt reveal. (11/9/02)

The Personal Drinks Company - Tasting Notes

Tasted in September 2002. Click to locate stockists.

Puente del Inca Chardonnay (Central Valley, Chile) 2001: A pale lemon colour, not what I was expecting. This is complimented by fresh, vibrant, acidic fruit on the nose. Pleasant weight on the palate, still very fresh, with good acidity. Chilean Chardonnay in a very crisp style. Very pleasant indeed. 15/20

Puente del Inca Cabernet Sauvignon (Cachapoal, Chile) 2001: A youthful, ruby red-purple hue, with moderate intensity of colour. Bright and sweet cherry fruit on the nose, with plenty of liquorice oak. Although somewhat open-knit it has pleasant weight, good acidity and even some good tannins, which provide some welcome structure. With aeration it takes on a harder mouthfeel, and is the better for it. A chewy edge to the fruit. 14/20