And welcome to Forever Thirsty, a homage to the subject I know most about… wine! For over 50 years since I was 6, I have enjoyed the magic and mystery of the world of wine. Having worked in the trade in virtually every aspect over a very exciting though ever changing time, I have been lucky to meet some of the most famous characters and drink their favourite wines.
What we offer is not simply a website selling wine. As you will see from the comprehensive list of links, I have chosen what I believe are some excellent services that can only change youroverall enjoyment of a great subject, dear to my heart.
So please join me in the journey, and remember I am only a phone call away 07771 510052, as I say it’s all going to be a lot of fun.
I will be updating my blog regularly with what’s good and not so good to eat and drink at the moment, some useful tips I have, in how to make the best choices for a multitude of occasions and food matching. How to serve your favourites and how to invest in wines sensibly for a maximum return!
We will be offering some great events around the country throughout the year (as soon as we are allowed to) and we also offersome ultimate nights in holding virtual wine tastings via Zoom!
Our man Charlie was the guest sommelier in the exclusive 1539 restaurant at Chester Race course for the recent Boodles… sponsored Spring meeting. He advised, encouraged and entertained many guests, helping them to enjoy their day out a little more! Read more “Boodles sponsored Spring meeting”
I originally approached Charlie to obtain a case of Spanish reds with a snapshot of one of my favourite producers… of which he replied, ‘No problem, leave it with me.’ When the case arrived, it contained examples from said producer that I didn’t know even existed, let alone be able to get hold off. Based upon this expert service booked Charlie for a private wine tasting evening for a present to my wife. Charlie turned up with a magnificent selection of wines to taste, all blind folded I must add and provided a comprehensive discussion and overview of the wines throughout the tasting. A consummate professional with an outstanding knowledge of the subject which left my wife and her friends astounded with the evening. I would heartily recommend Charlies company to anybody requiring a great and knowledgeable service with more than a hint of naughtiness. Read more “”
I bought wine from you recently and wanted a couple of special bottles in the case for me to celebrate… with, due to the sale of my business. I’ve had a couple of bottles now and as always your selection for me is excellent. I’ve not yet tried the special ones from Italy and Spain but will after the 30th September. Your understanding of wine and expertise is superb. You are able to gauge what type of wine your clients (me) like and are prepared to try and then recommend them at a reasonable price. Every single bottle I’ve had so far was excellent. I will recommend you to family and friends…stay forever thirsty!!! Read more “”
I have used Charlie a couple of times now and I have to say his service, expertise and selections are… fantastic. None more so however, than when I recently had my family over from Spain after not seeing them for 2 years. I rang Charlie up and told him about my family’s preferred tastes and if he could put a box of wine together for me. Within a matter of a few days, he had them ready for collection. Now, I’d love to say I still have a few bottles left to enjoy now the family have gone, but they went down so well and everybody commented on how enjoyable they were. Thank you Charlie from all the smith family for making a special reunion that even bit more special with your selections. I would not hesitate in recommending Charlie to all my friends, family and colleagues and will continue using him myself. Read more “”
The tasting evening was fantastic, everyone keeps talking about it and wanting to know when we can have another, so… see you soon. Read more “”
At his latest wine bluffing evening Charlie cleverly hid his tasting competencies with a serious of hilarious mis-truths about the… wines presented. He is a natural performer and had the audience in stitches with his unique mixture of humour and wine knowledge. Read more “”
Charlie came to our house to run a wine tasting event. Our idea was to have a few friends round… so they could get to know each other a bit better and we thought a wine tasting would be a good idea. However we had a fantastic experience because the wine tasting was not only educational it was great fun. Charlie is a straight talking wine expert and made us all think about the wine we bought and so many of us have changed our wine buying habits as a result. I can thoroughly recommend you get Charlie to run something for you. Read more “”
This weekend we were talking with friends, who came to the wine tasting last year at Dene Farm, about highlights… of 2012 and they brought up how much they enjoyed the wine tasting and what a great job you did to bring colour and interest to it. They are not the first to have told us what fun it was and how much the evening was enjoyed. As host you don’t always enjoy your own gathering but Judith and I would like to thank you for a splendid memorable wine tasting and guided tour of interesting wines. It was so well done we had no worries just a lovely experience. Read more “”
“Charlie has a unique blend of charisma, good humour and insight when it comes to talking about wine, so he was… the obvious choice to host a recent wine tasting evening for one of our key clients. Charlie is a consummate professional who ran an entertaining and hugely successful event for us. I could not recommend him highly enough.” Read more “”
“I would definitely recommend this type of event, Charlie is a superb host, he is entertaining, knows his wines, and it… was such fun tasting them!” Read more “”
“At his latest wine bluffing evening Charlie cleverly hid his tasting competencies with a serious of hilarious mis-truths about the wines… presented. He is a natural performer and had the audience in stitches with his unique mixture of humour and wine knowledge.” Read more “”
“I found Charlie’s approach extremely entertaining and he has taken a lot of the mystery out of wine for me.… The wines were excellent and following the tasting I have become a regular customer. With each case I have ordered I have asked for a new wine to try on his recommendation. He hasn’t let me down yet as each has been superb. I look forward to continuing to do business with you and discovering even more superb wines.” Read more “”
“Charlie’s wit and charm went down a storm at Renacres Hospital as he treated GPs and Consultants to a very… entertaining and pleasurable evening. Despite it being such a wet wintry night the turnout was excellent, obviously Charlie’s reputation went before him! Charlie created the perfect setting and atmosphere that appealed to our Consultant and GP Colleagues. The jovial atmosphere was enhanced by the delightful wines which contributed to a very successful networking event that was enjoyed by all.” Read more “”
“What can I say – it was an absolutely fantastic evening, Charlie certainly knows his stuff. Everyone enjoyed the evening and… what a great way to try wines you would not normally think to buy. At the end of the evening we all proclaimed to be wine connoisseurs and are certainly looking forward to the next event!! Would not hesitate to recommend Charlie to anyone – truly enjoyable!” Read more “”
“Please send my thanks to Charlie for what was a very professionally demonstrated and entertaining evening with great wines and a… fantastic host… the blind champagne tasting went down marvellously. I’m more than happy to recommend your wines and services, particularly for corporate entertainment.” Read more “”
Finding Charlie the Wine has totally revolutionised my wine experience. I haven’t bought a bottle from a supermarket shelf in… months! Why would I? His expert knowledge and bespoke service of matching wine to my preference and budget means I never have a bad bottle anymore! Just pick a style, region, grape or any other preference – be as specific or non-specific as you like and Charlie fills in the blanks! I love receiving my bespoke case at the doorstep – Overnight delivery too!“ Thanks Charlie, absolutely loving this service! Cheers – forever thirsty! Read more “”
Charlie has transformed my entire relationship with wine. He has challenged me to experience wines I would never buy (or… even consider). He has brought his joy, knowledge and passion for wine into my home and I can’t thank him enough. Professional, charming and challenging, Charlie has been a ray of sunshine during the darkness of lockdown and I will NEVER need to buy wine in a supermarket or off licence ever again! (the Charlie case arrival is one of the joys of life!) Read more “”
I have only recently started ordering wine from Charlie but what a game changer it has turned out to be!… The selections are always excellent within the budget set and some intriguing options in every case that I wouldn’t necessarily select myself – a recent case of Austrian wines being a perfect example. I’ve been introduced to some new wines that have already become firm favourites. I would absolutely recommend Charlie to become your new wine man! Thanks Charlie. Read more “”
Charlie was recommended to me by a friend and he’s introduced me to some wonderful wines I would never have… chosen before. I simply told Charlie what I like in a wine and my favourite grapes, gave him a budget and he did the rest – all delivered to my door a couple of days later. Fabulous wines and a fantastic, friendly service – I can highly recommend! All the best Read more “”
Thank you so much for arranging and hosting the wine tasting for the Taverners. We really do appreciate you reaching… out to help raise some money in these challenging times as well as provide a light hearted entertaining evening for some of our supporters. I thought that went very well. Let’s hope we can get back into the live setting soon too. Read more “”
It was brilliant. We both enjoyed it very much and the exchanges between David Gower and Charlie were great fun.
What a great evening it was. What with Charlie and David Gower we did not lack for entertaining chat and… stories – the wines were good too! Read more “”
Thanks for arranging the wine tasting last night, it was a wonderful evening and I thought that Charlie and David… were a great double act. Read more “”
Thank you for a very enjoyable afternoon of wine tasting and comment. Your passion and love for wine is obvious,… and your knowledge is excellent! Read more “”
Thank you for a very entertaining and informative evening. It was all very enjoyable. All wines we would be happy… to drink regularly. Gewürztraminer is in my experience a bit of a minefield – many producers but far fewer of quality. Yours chilled right down is excellent. I never thought of pairing it with curry but it would be ideal with a Madras or stronger. We particularly enjoyed the Rose. Read more “A Lord’s Taverners Event”
Thank you for a wonderful wine tasting last night, it was held so well. David Gower had some wonderful stories… to tell and your host was so knowledgeable. He gave us time to drink, flavour and enjoy the wines with no rushing unlike some tasting nights we have had. Thank you once again. Read more “A Lord’s Taverners Event”
A very enjoyable evening. Looking forward to a face to face event.
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