Ever since Soul Tree was born, we’ve been wondering what it will take for the brand (it’s got a personality too, you know) to fit in. What will it make of the Best of British?
We ourselves had, when it was our turn, found it smooth going. For one, there’s a quiet but undeniable British legacy in India. Examples: the language, the right-hand-drive traffic, the bureaucracy, the laws...the list goes on. This meant we felt quite at home when we moved here. Secondly, we were so grateful to be relieved of the burning heat of the Indian summer that for the first couple of years we did not even notice the rain. And finally, we found the British to be cosmopolitan and welcoming - fitting in was never going to be a concern. Soon we were moaning about the queues, the government, and the trains too. After all it is a comparative breeze to board a bus in Delhi. The Indian government is full of do-gooders with just the country on their minds. And the trains in India are so punctual you could set your watch to them. Yeah right!
But Soul Tree - will it fit in as easily?
Soul Tree is a wine, a brand. Will it mind the incessant rain? Will it have to learn to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ before and after every sentence, and three times in between? Will it have to tell its Scouse and Brummie from its Geordie? Will it understand the humour, and what will it make of the stiff upper lip? And will it matter to Soul Tree that the British will welcome it with open arms? Or that its best friends - Indian curries - already delight millions here?
We don’t know.
In the meantime we are watching closely as Soul Tree eases into the market. If anyone has any ideas, let us know. If we use them, there will be a couple of bottles in it for you.
Mail to: fittingin@soultreewine.co.uk