Connolly's in the News

August 18, 2010

Solihull News, 13th August,  2010

The world of wine underneath the arches.

The wine trade might be a rapidly changing one but one Birmingham specialist provides a very reassuring constant.

Connolly's Fine Wine and Spirit Merchants continues a family tradition that dates back to the 19th Century. These days the firm in Livery Street is headed by Chris Connolly, who was 'born and bred' in Solihull and still lives in the Borough.

The firm was orginally set up by Chris' great-grandfather Lewis Connolly in 1870 after he emigrated from Ireland and though the original outfit was bought out by Harvey's of Bristol, Chris father Pat re-established a family firm.

Chris initially went to work with his father to 'help him out' while he decided what he was going to do with himself but several decades on he is still there and clearly enjoying it. "The rest as they say is history", said Chris.

Taking a quick glance around Connolly's retail premises under a railway arch close to Snowhill Station I spotted everything from bargain bin-ends at £3 to a fine Bordeaux at £250 a bottle.

I reluctantly admitted to Chris that I bought most of my wine at supermarkets but genuinely like the idea of going to a specialist such as Connolly's.

And Connolly's is equally keen to appeal to the Individual wine enthusiast as to the many wholesale customers.

Chris is urging those who might normally settle for the supermarket option to try something different.

"Here you can savour the shelves and there's a story behind almost every single bottle of wine. If you buy a bottle at £3.99 then the amount spent on the wine is only 10p but if you buy a bottle costing £5.99 there's probably £1 worth of wine there"

By Edna Mullen

If you would like to learn more about the world of wine and how to taste and identify different wines then why not come along to our Introduction to wine tasting event in October:

'Learn to Taste Like a Professional'
Are you interested in learning a little more about the wonderful world of wine? Are you bemused by the vast array of labels on offer? Do you always 'play safe' and order what you know? 
Join us for this relaxed and light-hearted event where we teach you how to taste, what to look for. de-bunk a few myths and theories, and open your mind to the myriad of tastes and flavours available. Whether you are a serious wine-buff or complete novice this is an event not to be missed! To guide us through this organoleptic roller-coaster ride we are joined by passionate taster Steve Day from Phoenix Wine Agencies.

This tasting is due to take place on Thursday 14th October in our Livery Street shop.

For further information email sarah@connollyswine.co.uk or call 0121 236 9269





Also in Blog

April's arrival heralds a spring of sporting heroics from Arch 13/Connollys ......................                    Alternative title: Oh blimey, s*** just started to get real
April's arrival heralds a spring of sporting heroics from Arch 13/Connollys ...................... Alternative title: Oh blimey, s*** just started to get real

March 29, 2023

Recent visitors to the Arch 13/Connolly’s emporium may have chanced upon a frankly ridiculous poster which could lead you to question the sanity of certain members of the team.

Continue Reading

The Half Bottle – it’s a thing of beauty
The Half Bottle – it’s a thing of beauty

March 14, 2023

Years ago, before very clever folk started coming up with all manner of means to keep open bottles of wine (reasonably) fresh, half bottles of wine were a thing. Growers would routinely bottle a modest proportion of their harvest into half bottles and restaurants in particular, would carry them, largely for the benefit of solo diners

Continue Reading

April is German Wine Month at Connolly's
April is German Wine Month at Connolly's

April 07, 2022

Yup, we’re going all Teutonic for the month of April with tastings (both in-store and virtual), a smashing and stupidly discounted “anything but Riesling” mixed case of Germanic joy and a whopping 10% discount off all German wines throughout the month.

10 % discount you say……?
Yup, this is the simple bit – 10% discount on all German wines throughout April – no minimum quantity.

Continue Reading

First Drop Comes Again
First Drop Comes Again

March 19, 2022

Some of you may recall from Christmas Tastings before "the event" the charming John Gant proudly showcasing the wines made by his son, Matt, in the Barossa as one half of

Continue Reading