As you will no doubt be aware, the impact that the counter measures taken by government to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus has had a dramatic effect on the UK economy. The imposed shutdown of the hospitality industry has had a resounding effect with a reported 200,000+ staff dismissals and news that many smaller businesses are on the brink of collapse. As a result of these measures the hospitality sector is facing a monumental crisis, and despite the generous government measures to support the industry this crisis will inevitably cause numerous casualties. One thing is sure: it will get worse before it gets better.

Consequently, one of our trade partners - Berkmann Wine Cellars - has created a scheme to try to raise funds for those in the hospitality sector who are today unable to operate and service their clientele.

Hic! is proud to support this scheme which involves a percentage of revenues from selected wines that we sell, being donated to the Drinks Trust Charity. Since 1886, The Drinks Trust (formerly The Benevolent) has provided care and support to the people who form the UK drinks industry workforce, both past and present. The Drinks Trust is run by drinks industry professionals, funded by drinks industry partners and supported by thousands of drinks industry fundraisers, volunteers and contributors.

We stock a wide and varied range of wines that will qualify for raising funds, so please be assured we are doing our very best to support an industry we have so much affinity with. The following is a list of the family owned wineries whose wines are part of our portfolio and qualify toward the charitable scheme.

Please note that these are not your everyday brands, but a selection of hard-to-find hotel, restaurant and bar quality wines so popular on wine lists throughout the hospitality sector.  You may well have enjoyed a glass or two in your favourite restaurant or bar, but now due to the COVID-19 pandemic are now unable to do so. So, during this enforced period of quarantine, please take the time to browse through our range and see if there is anything to tempt you when you next fill up the wine-rack. You might not be able to eat out, but we can help you drink in!

Champagne: Drappier & Testulat

Rosé: Château Minuty

Argentina: Bodega Norton, Masi Tupungato & Finca Decero

Australia: Brash Higgins, Unico Zelo, Chapel Hill, Katnook Estate, Langmeil, Tournon, Deakin Estate, Between Five Bells, Yarra Yering, Lethbridge & Woodlands

Brazil: Casa Valduga

Canada: Quails Gate

Chile: Clos Apalta, Lapostolle, Morandé, Haras de Pirque

France: Muré, Badet-Clément, Cave de Pomérols, Domaine de Beaurenard, Rotem & Mounir Saouma, Georges Duboeuf, Jean-Marc Brocard, Domaine Tollot Beaut, Pierre Morey, Ferraton Père & Fils, Domaine of the Bee, Lucien Le Moine

Germany: Balthasar Ress, Weingut Dr. Fischer

Italy: Prunotto, Broglia, Ca' del Bosco, San Leonardo, Antinori, Masi, Mezzacorona, Tenuta J Hofstätter, Guado Al Tasso, Le Mortelle, Pian delle Vigne, Castello della Sala, Fattoria La Valentina, Umani Ronchi, Tormaresca, Tasca, Feudo Arancio, Rotari

New Zealand: Mahi, Coopers Creek, Babich

South Africa: Buitenverwachting, Niel Joubert, Cloof, Babylon's Peak, Lievland

Spain: Bodegas Valdemar, Finca Valpiedra, Finca Montepedroso, RAR, Raventós de Alella, Finca Antigua

The Rest of Europe & Middle East: Rudi Pichler (Austria), Zero-G (Austria), Cottonworth (England), Sauska (Hungary), Sevilen (Turkey), Tbilvino (Georgia)

USA: Sebastiani, Guenoc, Williams Selyem, Secret Indulgence, Joel Gott, Silverado Vineyards, Lost Angel, Antica

As we move forward the qualifying wines available to order online will become more readily identifiable as we add the 'HELP4HOSPITALITY' heart shaped badge to our product image catalogue; as proudly worn by Antinori's Tignanello below!

We hope that this scheme will be successful in bringing some assistance to the industry we all love, and I would like to thank you all in advance for any support you are able to offer during this critical time.

Stay Safe!