Street Wines founder Neils Dubro talks about wine, pubs and the Victoria Inn in Colchester in this Friends of the Victoria Inn interview.
At the Victoria Inn, we work with some great people behind the scenes – the suppliers, organisers and characters who help keep the pub running and the drinks flowing. In this regular Friends of the Victoria Inn interview, we catch up with the people who help make the pub what it is.
First up is Street Wines, the Colchester wine merchant run by Neils Dubro, who supplies the wines you’ll find behind the bar at the Vic.
Tell us a bit about Street Wines – how did it all start?
We are one of the last family wine businesses in Colchester with around 30 years’ experience in the trade.
I actually started Street Wines after being made redundant from Oddbins. I really wanted to stay in the wine trade, so I spent my rather measly £4k redundancy on wines I loved and started my own business.
These days we supply around 30 account customers – pubs, restaurants and shops – as well as a large private client base.
You’ve been in the wine trade for a while. What got you into wine in the first place?
A visit to Italy when I was 15. I experienced wine with dinner for the first time and loved it.
What do you enjoy most about working with pubs like the Victoria Inn?
I was born in Colchester, and the Vic is actually my local – I lived on Sheepen Place – so it’s a special pub for me.
I’m passionate about pubs. They’re an essential part of our culture where people from different walks of life connect. I enjoy getting good wine into pubs and watching the results.
My view is simple – if the beer is good, the wine should be too.
If someone is staring at the wine list and has no idea what to choose, what’s your usual advice?
Ask the staff for a recommendation. They know their stuff, and it’s often the best way to discover something new.
Be honest – what’s your own go-to drink when you’re in a pub?
Normally, the beer in independent pubs is so good that I start with a pint.
If they have nice wine as well, I’ll go for a Chardonnay.
And finally… what’s the most common wine myth you hear?
Ha – I love this one. It comes up a lot at wine tastings.
People often say, “ABC – Anything But Chardonnay.” It seems to be the only bit of wine knowledge some people have picked up.
Interestingly, once they actually try it, most of them end up loving it.
You’ll find wines supplied by Street Wines behind the bar at the Victoria Inn, helping keep the pub’s drinks offering varied and well chosen.
Next time you’re in, take a look at the wine list and try something new.
See you at the bar!
