by the Editorial Team
A customer steps into The Wine Connection and asks owner Mark Walley, for a recommendation for a Christmas tawny port. Happy to oblige, he guides her buying choices and she soon heads back out into the winter air carrying three perfect bottles.
Tucked away on Derngate, specialist wine shop, The Wine Connection has been a Northampton favourite for 13 years — and owner Mark brings more than 30 years experience to its shelves.
Formerly the manager of Oddbins on St. Peter’s Way, Mark took the plunge and opened a shop where his wine knowledge and industry connections could flourish.
He didn’t do it alone. His team — Joel, Laura, Adi and Matt — are all former Oddbins colleagues, and together they bring a wealth of experience to the business.
That was 13 years ago.
Over the years, Mark has built a reputation for stocking high-quality wines and spirits, helping him retain a loyal customer base.
Every bottle on the shelves is personally tasted, with frequent imports arriving from Australia, New Zealand, and France.
“We source a lot of wine directly and work with small importers,” Mark explains. “We like to return the favour, and it really helps our range stay fresh and interesting. Prices and good value stand out in the shop—after 30 years of doing deals through wine connections, we can over-deliver on quality without the aggressive margins customers often see elsewhere.”
France, Italy, and Australia are key sources, with Tilley’s Wines serving as their main importer. Popular wines with customers currently include sparkling options such as Cava, Crémant, and Prosecco, while orange wine is steadily gaining interest.
Mark adds, “We like to create our own trends. This year, we’ve been trying to sell more Cava than Prosecco, and more Tequila than gin or rum. We try to avoid big brands, but when we do stock them, we make sure they’re cheaper than chains and supermarkets. We’ve been pushing a coffee-flavoured Tequila this year, which is £15 cheaper than you’d find it in a large supermarket.”
Christmas Day Recommendations
Christmas is, unsurprisingly, one of the busiest times of the year for The Wine Connection. Alongside their regular trade orders and drop-ins, festive shoppers have been stopping by to stock up on seasonal bottles.
We asked Mark for his top recommendations for Christmas Day—and he was more than happy to share his picks.
Morning Fizz
We always have a light sparkling red in the morning and we have an amazing one for under £10 that’s fun, fizzy and fruity, light on the alcohol, so you don’t have to worry about putting food in the oven.
Staff Choice: Alasia Brachetto D’Acqui £9.45
Starter Pairings
When it comes to starters, a glass of white or fizz sets the mood beautifully.
Think Champagne alternatives like Cava, Prosecco, or South Africa’s MCC (Méthode Cap Classique). Skip the cheap Champagne—the best value lies elsewhere. We particularly love thePongracz Sparkling Method Cap Classique at £11.95, which offers quality and elegance without breaking the bank.
Christmas Dinner
Turkey: Pinot Noir or Chardonnay
Christmas Ham: Off-dry Riesling or big bold reds made with Shiraz or Zifandel
Roast Beef: Caberet, Shiraz or good old fashioned Bordeux
If you’re after something with complexity and a bold character, try the Cabernet Sauvignon Dry Creek 2018, with its earthy, leathery notes and depth that goes beautifully with festive flavours.
Sweet Sensations
With dessert, we have a selection of pudding wines and Ports going back to 1994 in store.
A Tawny Port, Sweet Sherry or Sauternes goes wonderfully with the Christmas pudding. We also pair sweet sparkling Moscato with mince pies.
Staff Choice: Bethany Old Quarry Tawny £27.95
Boots and Botanicals
Downstairs, the shop also stocks shoes from shoe manufacturer Solovair. Solovair’s main factory shop is in Wollaston, where the shoes are made, and with owner Ivor Tilley also being a wine importer — whose wines Mark has stocked since 2008— the partnership is a natural and seamless fit.
Mark also showcase terrariums from Eden Encased, his partner Laura’s business. She has had success with it in other counties for quite some time, and as we live in Northampton, it felt right to include her work in the shop.
Customers and Celebrities
“Most of my core customers are loyal, long-standing regulars I’ve retained since my days at Oddbins,” Mark says. “But every week we’re also seeing plenty of new faces — people who are fed up with wine clubs, fed up with so-called ‘special offers,’ and just want honest advice and genuinely good wine.
Our shop is directly opposite the Royal & Derngate’s stage door, and I’ve had famous customers and lots of celebrities pop in. Band members come from all over the country to visit the shoe shop as well.”
Mark recounts how he once went to legend Bob Monkhouse’s house with some nice bottles of wine, which was amazing, he says. “He used to crack me up every time,” he laughs.
Whether it’s celebrities dropping by or locals popping in for a genuine recommendation, Mark’s passion for wine and shoes clearly keeps customers coming back—proving that a personal touch still makes all the difference.
The Wine Connection can be found at 11 Derngate NN1 1TY.
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Website: https://www.thewineconnection-northampton.com
Normal Opening hours:
Tuesday – Friday 11-5:30pm
Saturday 10-5:30pm
Closed Sunday and Mondays
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