Wine

Wine online from Great Wines Direct

Wine is typically a fermented grape-based alcoholic beverage. The sugar in the grapes is consumed by yeast, which then breaks it down into ethanol and carbon dioxide while also producing heat.

Different kinds of wine are mostly influenced by various yeast strains and grape varieties. These variations are the result of intricate interactions between the biological growth of the grape, the fermentation reactions, the terroir (growing region) of the grape, and the wine-making process.

Legal appellations are established in many nations to specify wine styles and quality. These often place limitations on the allowable grape types, geographical origin, and other characteristics of wine production.

Since ancient times, wine has been made. The Caucasus region in what is now Georgia (6000 BCE), Persia (5000 BCE), Italy, and Armenia (4000 BCE) has the earliest wine artefacts.

While there are some similarities between New World wine and alcoholic beverages manufactured by native Americans, these connections relate mostly to later Spanish practises in New Spain.

Later, as viticulture methods for Old World wine advanced, Europe would have three of the greatest wine-producing regions. Today, Italy, Spain, France, the United States, and China are the five nations with the largest wine-producing regions.

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Red 14.5

Chiara Boschis - E Pira Barolo Via Nuova Organic 2020 75cl £72.25

The dominant fruit character here is fresh strawberries, which is followed by a complex and appealing mix of dried cherry, vanilla, fenugreek, chestnut and mushroom Deep, savoury and concentrated in the mouth, it is broad, rich and full-bodied, yet with fabulous finesse to the tannin Its weight and ripeness are superbly balanced by an excellent impression of freshness The tannin is noticeable at this stage, so this is a wine that would benefit keeping a couple of years before enjoying over a decade or longer

Red 14.5

Teso la Monja Alabaster 2021 75cl £119.27

Red 15

Chateauneuf-du-Pape Pignan 12 Chateau Rayas 75cl £472.27

Red 13.5

Pessac-Leognan Rouge 12 Chateau Pape Clement 75cl £128.17

White 11

Ditchling Ditchling White 2022 75cl £17.83

Red 14

Per Se Inseparable 2020 75cl £47.33

The wine is fresh, pure and supple with juicy red cherry and plum fruit on the nose It s very bright and elegant in the mouth with fresh fruit with a bit of crunch on the finish From the high quality district of Gualtallary within Mendoza's Uco Valley, this is made in small quantities with low-intervention winemaking Fermented in concrete tanks with gentle skin extraction using the submerged cap method, and then aged 12 months in the same tanks Bottled without fining or filtration

White 13.5

Thelema Mountain Vineyards Oryx Sauvignon Blanc Viognier 2023 75cl £12.46

Juicy melon and passionfruit, with white peach and apricot, and a crisp and refreshing finish All about fruit expression, this marries the freshness of Sauvignon Blanc to the texture and perfume of Viognier, creating a perfect summer wine This is made from 100% estate-grown fruit, farmed to Thelema's exacting standards

White 13

Vibrante Bianco 22 Gordon Ramsay 75cl £11.54

Red 13.5

Bottle of When in Rome Primitivo red wine with a colourful label on a white background

Primitivo IGT Puglia NV When in Rome 75cl NV £13.01

Primitivo IGT Puglia NV When in Rome is a distinguished wine from the sun-drenched vineyards of Puglia. This rich and full-bodied red offers a luscious sweetness balanced by its deep fruit character, making it an excellent choice for those seeking both quality and complexity. Ideal for pairing with robust dishes or enjoying on its own, it showcases the signature warmth and intensity of the Primitivo grape with expert craftsmanship.

Rose 12

Rose 20 Prophecy 75cl £13.67

Rose 11.5

Mirabeau 'La Folie' Sparkling Rose NV 75cl £19.33

Palest pink sparkling rose where aromatic notes of passion fruit, mango and pomelo are accompanied by a fine stream of citrussy bubbles Uplifting and refreshing with a mouthwatering finish

Rose 12.5

Simpsons Wine Estate, Kent, 'Canterbury Rose Sparkling Rose', Brut 2021 75cl £34.28

A serious and well structured sparkling rose with aromas of fresh raspberry sorbet through to a palate of exotic fruits and wild strawberry balanced with tangy lime

Rose 12

Gusbourne, Rose, Kent 2018 75cl £70.56

White 12

Gusbourne, Brut Reserve, Kent 2019 75cl £61.74

White 11.5

Lopez Morenas, 'Valdeorite', Cava Brut NV 75cl £11.98

An aromatic, fresh and fruity Cava, with a lively mousse and a refreshing citrus character with delicate floral complexity through to a long, crisp finish

White 11.5

Ackerman X Blanc Brut NV 75cl £14.04

Pale and refreshing, this off dry sparkling wine offers notes of red fruits and spice, layered with vibrant citrus with a deliciously fruity finish