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 15.5

Bertani Amarone Classico DOCG 2013 75cl £122.35

A deep garnet red colour witnesses the long barrel ageing The first impression on the nose is of fresh black cherry aromas, leading into notes of maraschino cherry and plum Immense depth and complexity on the palate: dried fruit, oolong tea, liquorice, spice, red-berry fruits, and a long velvety vanilla note on the finish This is traditional Amarone: rich yet genuinely dry, unlike many of the modern-style upstarts

White 13

Ca'Rugate, 'Monte Alto', Soave Classico 2021 75cl £25.50

Intense aromas of wild flowers, ripe fruit and an elegant hint of almond lead to a beautifully textured and richly fruited palate

White 14.5

Maison Sinnae Cotes du Rhone Villages Laudun Blanc 2023 75cl £13.00

Fresh and delicate white from the southern Rhone Aromatic with acacia flowers and citrus blossom, with a lovely note of juicy-ripe pear in the mouth

Red 13.5

Brisa Tempranillo 20 Garcon 75cl £9.66

White 14

Tramin, Unterebner, Alto Adige, Pinot Grigio 2022 75cl £33.80

A rich, complex and characterful wine full of Alpine freshness, with elegant notes of pear, toast and melted butter, layered with spicy tobacco and vanilla

Red 13.5

Leeuwenkuil Family Vineyards, Swartland, 'Reserve Red' 2021 75cl £19.97

The Reserve Red offers exquisite and vibrant notes of red fruit, herbal notes and lovely depth of flavour, with red and black berried fruit balanced by peppery spice

White 13

Leeuwenkuil Family Vineyards, Swartland, 'Reserve White' 2022 75cl £19.14

Delicate aromas of white blossom, ginger and yellow stone fruit are layered with juicy melon Beautifully textured with a mineral core, culminating in a fresh finish

Red 13.5

Leeuwenkuil Family Vineyards, Swartland, Shiraz 2022 75cl £15.25

A seductively perfumed Shiraz, with aromas of red berries, violets, herbal notes and white pepper through to a fresh and energetic palate with a striking purity of fruit

Red 14.5

Cuentavinas Rioja Single Vineyard Alomado 2021 75cl £54.38

This single-vineyard field blend is a contemporary take on a traditional style, and incorporates around 20% of co-fermented white varieties It has pinpoint precision and bright vivacity, with crisp, juicy cherry fruit and attractively herbal leafiness At the intersection of freshness and ripeness, it shows extraordinary integration of all its components and is so elegant as to be almost delicate Its depth becomes evident on the palate, with black cherry, dark chocolate, almond and liquorice, which sustain on the long finish An astonishingly brilliant wine—amazing!

Red 14.5

Cuentavinas Rioja Garnacha 2021 75cl £54.38

From vines aged more than 100 years, situated in a vineyard on the Ebro's right bank, this has a vibrant raspberry juice colour and irresistibly juicy Garnacha aroma of strawberry cordial and hints of morello cherry and orange zest It's a pleasure just to inhale it for a few minutes Upon taking a sip, one is confronted by glorious freshness and purity, seamlessly supple texture, exceptional balance and elegance Raspberries, liquorice and pink peppercorns An utterly lovely wine

Red 14

Casa Valduga Terrior Exclusivo Tannat 2020 75cl £23.05

Deep ruby in colour, with great aromatic complexity on the nose There are notes of leather and vanilla integrated into the ripe red and black fruit character On the palate, the tannins are firm, supporting the acidity and ensuring long persistence From a unique vineyard site in Vale dos Vinhedos with a slope between 25° and 35°, and exposure to the east, northeast and north The site enjoys well-drained soil of medium depth clay

Red 14

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Thelema Mountain Vineyards Sutherland Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 75cl £15.17

The dark fruit flavours and cassis on the nose are a prequel to the refreshing sweet fruit and ripe tannins the palate delivers The wine was aged in French oak barrels for 18 months and will reward cellaring

White 12.5

Ca'Rugate, Monte Fiorentine, Soave Classico 2022 75cl £22.34

A beautifully layered wine with a rich flavour of ripe crystalline pineapple and pear through to a fresh, mineral and lemon finish, full of flavour

Red 11

Vellas, Valle Central, Merlot 2023 75cl £10.68

A well-flavoured Merlot with notes of blackcurrant and plum, soft, ripe and fruity

White 11

Vina Edmara, Valle Central, Chardonnay 2023 75cl £10.63

A zesty citrus flavour enhanced by ripe tropical fruit and vanilla notes, creamy and appealing

Red 14

Dom Brial, Cotes du Roussillon Villages, 'Les Petits Pins' 2022 75cl £16.80

Opulent and refined, with ripe red berries, cooked fruit and a gentle whiff of spice complemented by a lovely typical sauvage and garrigue character on the richly fruited palate