Brinkley calls for boycott of Spanish wine

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LONDON If the Mail says so, it must be true - or so it would have us believe. But in fact the matter is reported even in well-considered sources in the Spanish media, including El Confidencial Digital (ECD): Brinkley's the fashionable chain of restaurants is boycotting this country's wines because of the Gibraltar thing. The owner of the chain, John Brinkley has decided that he wants to make a point of how ridiculous Mariano Rajoy's government is acting.>>>

Brinkley, whose chain includes such fashionable venues as Union Café, Putney Station, Joe's Brasserie, Brinkleys, of course, as well as The Wine Gallery, began his campaign just a few days ago and has since been trying to persuade his fellow restaurateurs to follow suit.

The brands that had until now been available from Brinkley's cellars were:

• Marqués de Riscal. From one of the Rioja region's oldest bodegas, this was the best seller, according to Brinkley, but it has been removed from the organization's wine list. It accounted for €28,000 in sales last year.
• Imperial Reserva 2007. The CVNE bodega produces this one, which is matured in American and French oak barrels, plus 12 years in the bottle. Price at Brinkley's: £31.50 (bought in quantity direct from bodega). Retail price online in Spain:  €20.86, incl. VAT.
• Pazo Barrantes 2012. From the Rias Baixas region of Galicia, this Albariño sold for £25 at all the Brinkley establishments. Retail price in Spain: €13.53, incl. VAT. (All online prices quoted: Vinissimus.)