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 13.5

Joseph Drouhin Chambolle Musigny Premier Cru Amoureuses 2021 75cl £589.57

This well-named Premier Cru is a masterpiece of harmony, and is one of Burgundy's most subtle wines A generous palette of seductive aromas greets the nose, evolving from raspberry to kirsch, then deepening to truffle, mushroom, woody and musky notes, while remaining always restrained and elegant On the palate, the impression is of wonderful silkiness, with tannins of the utmost refinement and a lively freshness The delicate aftertaste leaves an impression of supreme finesse

Red 13

Fontanafredda Briccotondo Dolcetto 2022 75cl £13.30

A clear, ruby-red wine with violet highlights Its vinous bouquet is fruity, very intense and rather attractive and persistent Nicely dry, well-balanced and velvety; it has a light almondy aftertaste

Red 14

De Martino Cellar Collection Old Vine Carignan 'La Aguada' 2010 75cl £33.98

From a low-yielding, dry-farmed old vineyard, planted in 1955, this wine is a 'field blend,' composed principally of Carignan, with a little Cinsault and Malbec, all grown on bush vines It has awesome complexity and attractively mature aromas of fragrant cedar wood, brambly fruit and black pepper In the mouth, there is lovely, supple tannin and a sense of fresh vibrancy, in spite of its maturity It has a beautifully-sustained, lingering finish Superb

Red 15

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cask 23 Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 75cl £304.99

Even at a young age, the Cask 23 shows clearly what it is: a blend of the choicest portions of the Fay and SLV vineyards It displays Fay's wonderfully vibrant and honest morello cherry aroma, along with toasted spices, a waft of woodsmoke and pencil lead It has the immediate succulence and completeness of SLV, harnessed to Fay's restraint and elegance It is indeed the perfect combination of the two - bravo! With fabulously refined texture, it is graceful, fine and pure, with such persistence of flavour that one sip can last for a minute or more Even though this has an exceptionally long life of 3-4 decades ahead of it, it is easy to appreciate at this early stage

Red 13.5

Joseph Drouhin Grands-Echezeaux Grand Cru 2017 75cl £727.36

In its youth, the wine displays aromas of great finesse, reminiscent of cherry and dark chocolate or cocoa bean, which is a delicate and sought after characteristic of this wine As the wine matures, these aromas evolve towards other refined nuances evoking undergrowth, truffle, fine leather and sometimes light notes of cigar or cedar wood The result is of great elegance and breed The tannins are refined and the silk and velvet of the body are a perfect match Very long aftertaste in which some of the aromas previously encountered are again in evidence and create the most elegant sensation

Rose 13

Muses Estate, 'AMUSE' Rose, Valley of the Muses 2023 75cl £23.20

Delicate salmon-pink in colour, this refreshing and perfumed rose is full of elegant gooseberry and strawberry aromas, typical of the native Mouhtaro variety

Red 14

Undurraga 'Altazor', Maipo Alto 2020 75cl £65.45

A perfumed wine with layers of deep red fruit and cassis interwoven with notes of graphite, mint and ripe guava, concentrated and opulent A showstopper of a wine!

Red 14.5

Vina Perez Cruz 'Limited Edition', Maipo Alto, Carmenere 2022 75cl £23.16

An opulent and spectacularly perfumed wine with minted notes of blackberry and blackcurrant and a hint of mocha Exotic and delicious

White 12.5

Chateau Oumsiyat, Bekaa Valley, Chardonnay 2023 75cl £16.32

An unoaked and refreshing style of Chardonnay, clean and zesty

13.5

Ocean Eight 'Verve', Mornington Peninsula, Chardonnay 2021 75cl £38.80

The name Verve encapsulates its style, with a vibrant perfume of Granny Smith apple, honeysuckle blossom and lime zest enhanced by stone fruit flavours, long and elegant

White 11

Tahbilk, '1927 Vines', Nagambie Lakes, Marsanne 2016 75cl £28.01

Notes of lemon, grapefruit, toast and classic honeysuckle weave through the rich and textured palate culminating in a zesty, citrussy finish

Red 14.5

Pelissero, Vanotu, Langhe, Barbaresco 2020 75cl £86.23

A velvety and aromatic Barbaresco with expressive notes of raspberry and cherry, complemented by rose, sage, mint and thyme, sweet tannins and an everlasting finish

Red 14.5

Pelissero, Tulin, Langhe, Barbaresco 2020 75cl £67.18

A classic Barbaresco of great mineral expression, with perfumed aromas of red fruit, rose, tea, harmonious oak and refined tannins which beautifully frame the palate

Red 14.5

Pelissero, 'Nubiola', Langhe, Barbaresco 2020 75cl £43.85

An expressive Barbaresco with appealing notes of sweet red fruits, classic floral and dried herbs through to a velvety palate with a slightly dry finish

Red 13.5

Castello Vicchiomaggio, Ripa delle Mandorle, Toscana Rosso 2023 75cl £16.73

A silky Tuscan style full of ripe cherry and blackberry fruit flavours complemented by spice and warm mocha and liquorice notes

White 12.5

Prapian Estate, '3 Volte', Venezie, Pinot Grigio 2023 75cl £13.70

A fresh and beautifully balanced Pinot Grigio, with delicate aromas of apricot and linden flowers leading to a refreshing palate with delicious pear notes