“ It ’ s not that we are saying sugar is the devil , but it is reckoned to be twice as addictive as cocaine .”
Interview
there , and now the two years of hard slog all feels worthwhile . “ Not that we could have done it without the help of many nameless giants in the wine world ” he added . There was also the financial backing they had for the £ 1 million-plus investment project , from Adrian Bradshaw of Hamilton Bradshaw Capital Partners – an investment firm partly founded by the aforementioned TV ‘ Dragon ’ James Caan . The result is the UK launch of SlimLine Wine , and the first shipment of 400,000 bottles of its sparkling red , white and rose options , all between 10-11 % proof and made from top quality Pinot Noir , Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay grapes . Half of the consignment has already been presold through a principal offer that was launched on social media earlier this year , with sparkling versions at £ 10.99 a bottle , red and white at £ 8.99 , and a special discount on a case of six .
Island Link
Paul Anthony is naturally delighted to see the dream coming to fruition – and he ’ s also keen to trumpet the Isle of Wight connection : “ The Island isn ’ t generally spotted as a place where things happen ” he says , “ but the fact is that SlimLine was built from here , is run from here – and I ’ m damn well proud of that !”
The entrepreneur might have been living here for only four years , but he ’ s certainly taken the Island to his heart and says he ’ s “ absolutely bonded ” to the place and now can ’ t imagine being anywhere else . He unashamedly reveals that it was love that brought him to a new life on this side of the Solent - and the first fateful meeting with the lady in question happened rather aptly , over a glass of Champagne . He was living at the time in West Sussex , but had impulsively decided to take a day off and visit Winchester , where he found himself sitting a couple of seats away from Miriam . A chat turned into a glass of champagne , they spent the rest of the day together – and the rest as they say , is history . He soon began visiting Miriam , who ’ d been living on the Island for over 20 years , and relocated here himself not long afterwards . Among many other shared interests , one of their mutual passions was charity work , with Miriam working for Macmillan and Paul Anthony having founded the Grape Foundation , a private organisation of wine traders that gives financial support to needy children , including those who are terminally ill . So it was perhaps not surprising that the couple ’ s conversations and concerns should ultimately have led to the birth of
“ It ’ s not that we are saying sugar is the devil , but it is reckoned to be twice as addictive as cocaine .”
46 www . visitilife . com