Bossman Organic Wine Shop

[FelicityNormal]

Has anyone been inside Bossman wine shop? I didn't find any organic wine when I ventured in and wonder if things have improved since then.

[lorraineliyanage]

Did you ask the owner what organic wine he has available? There may not actually be any need for improvement if he does indeed stock organic wine...

(I only go in there to buy low-alcohol Becks and Cobra so I have no idea about the wine).

[honk]

It's a contentious issue, the labelling of 'organic' wine anyway. (In that the majority falls about 5-10% short of being 'organic' anyway)

The winemaking process can't actually be organic, but can be 'respectful'.

It's worth bearing in mind (especially with wine) that organic doesn't necessarily mean 'better'.

Better to buy a nice French red from one of the smaller vineyards than 'organic' from South Africa.

[FelicityNormal]

I am not sure whether the person I spoke to was the owner. I did ask the person working in there about his selection of organic wines and was unable to get a straight answer. He was strange... What is the owner like?

[honk]

He's nice, he's got some decent wine in there, from 5 quid bottles of plonk up to some heavyweight reds around the 15 quid mark.

Ask 3 winemakers about 'organic' wine and they'll tell you 3 different things. Why does it have to be organic?

[FelicityNormal]

Hi Honk

Not really going to get into the organic vs non-organic argument. But when a shop is called Bossman Organic Wines (I believe that is the name) I would expect to find organic wines inside. The person I spoke to in there tried to talk me out of buying organic wine which is why I suspect he was not the owner.

[honk]

FelicityNormal Wrote:

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> Hi Honk

> Not really going to get into the organic vs

> non-organic argument. But when a shop is called

> Bossman Organic Wines (I believe that is the name)

> I would expect to find organic wines inside. The

> person I spoke to in there tried to talk me out of

> buying organic wine which is why I suspect he was

> not the owner.

I think it actually says 'Bossman Wines - Specialist and Organic wines, beers and spirits'

So I don't think he's necessarily saying they have organic wines, you've just mis-read the sign. They definitely stock organic beers.

Maybe march in there and give him a syntax lesson.

[SeanMacGabhann]

this brings back memories - I got in a right huff when it opened because the stock was much more limited than it is now and I too felt the prominent organic sign wasn't yet merited. Some good beer selections in there now by all accounts, including several organics which seems fair. i don't think teh wine selection is ever going togive G&B or even Nicholas a run for their money

I'm with honk on the organic wine tip - really isn't something I'm inclined to chase down. And I've tasted some grim organic wines

And the owner is an asian guy who used to run the costcutters opposite the Library by the Plough - really nice guy. I suspect slightly older than his youthful looks. I think he used to post on here too..

[honk]

I worked for Oddbins just after I was a student. If anyone was going to source a bunch of top-quality organic wine it would have been one of their buyers.

We ended up with a token display in the corner of the shop named 'Compost Corner' alluding to the semi-organic nature of the wine within.

All were, without fail, unpalatable.

There is a very long and boring argument about why organic is actually no better than non-organic, but let's leave that for the parts of the internet where that debate rages on, like a fire in a tyre dump.

[Asset]

it's not about taste - or shouldn't be. It's about the choice of not imbibing something that is rammed full of pesticides, fungicides, sulphates etc etc.

I have tasted some very nice organic wine and some shit, same for non-organic.

[Brendan]

Sulphites.

[Asset]

thanks, freudian slip

[Brendan]

Sorry Asset but I couldn?t resist correcting your spelling.

Oh and that first etc. should have a period after it too.

[karter]

Haven't been in there for ages, last time i bought some organic beer, it was good. Surely they sell organic wine if it says it on the sign. Just go in and ask, Felicity.

[TillieTrotter]

Lol Brenda.....she's gonna whip your arse now boy.

[honk]

Asset Wrote:

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> it's not about taste - or shouldn't be. It's

> about the choice of not imbibing something that is

> rammed full of pesticides, fungicides, sulphates

> etc etc.

> I have tasted some very nice organic wine and some

> shit, same for non-organic.

I know it's a common ideal that anything organic represents a bucolic existence.

Without opening a can of worms let me pick just one hole in your argument.

Organic farmers usually treat fungal disease with copper, usually in solution.

Unlike modern pesticides which biodegrade, copper stays toxic in the soil indefinitely.

Ah, of course, it's um, 'natural' copper.

Organic pesticides can be highly toxic to humans, if not more so than their 'chemical' counterparts.

Strychnine is 'natural', I'd probably avoid drinking it though.

[copleston_charlie]

This brings to mind a shop in 'the other place' (Dulwich Village) which calls itself 'The Organically Minded Grocer' - which kind-of gets you off the hook if what you're selling isn't actually organic. "I've been thinking a lot about selling some organic stuff - maybe one day I will".

The Bossman seems to sell a nicely eclectic selection, some organic stuff, and a great range of nut brown ales too.

[FelicityNormal]

Actually my question was "does Bossman sell organic wine?" Not "should I drink organic wine or not?"

[SeanMacGabhann]

copleston_charlie - yes! I've always thought exactly the same thing

and good reminder FelicityNormal - in short, I believe yes it does. In a previous post the manager stated:

"Thanks for your message, we have got about 40 different organic wines , which are likely to increase this week, and then got organic, beers, ciders, ales and stout!Organic wines are more or less got same price as normal wines!

if you like certain product you are welcome to suggest us, your suggestion will be taken into consideration.

Regardin the name "Bossman" no great philosophy behind it, just bit different and something that sticks in the mind.

"

Hope that helps

[Asset]

True Felicity but as is the nature of conversation we digress.

Brendan - I'm slacking.

Honk - I bow to your superior knowledge. Intensive farming all the way then.

[honk]

Asset Wrote:

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> Honk - I bow to your superior knowledge.

> Intensive farming all the way then.

Who said anything about 'intensive farming'? I certainly didn't.

I know you probably love to think all organic farms are run by a small family, with hens and ducks everywhere - many are indistinguishable in size and output from the 'evil' farms.

You're better off buying something that was produced nearby, organic or otherwise.

[seanmlow]

Bossman are great and know their wines. The owner is the older gent with longer hair. He always helps me pick the right thing for whatever occasion.

[*Bob*]

Would that be Black Tower for a quiet night it, and Le Piat D'Or for a special occasion, Seanmlow?

Who cares if it says 'organic' on the sign or not? Somerfield had the cheek to put 'market fresh' on their signage.

Nice friendly bloke in there.. sells booze.. what more do you want?

Personally I'm a big fan of those tasty sulphites, as it means that if I want to buy some wine for less than a tenner which doesn't taste like foot-rot, I can choose from more than just the six bottles.

[annaj]

MrJ went in when they first opened to ask if they stocked Mac's Gold, an organic beer from NZ (not because we're particularly into organic, but because it's extremely nice and for some reason doesn't lead painful, lager hangovers.)

He was treated to a lecture on food (well, drink) miles only to then be offered an Australian organic wine in the next breath. Something of a mixed message we thought.

But if other people have had good service and advice there, perhaps we'll give it another go.

[honk]

It sells booze and isn't that Nicolas place. ie WIN.