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

Domaine de Bellene Cote de Nuits-Villages Vieilles Vignes 2020 75cl | Great Wines Direct

Domaine de Bellene Cote de Nuits-Villages Vieilles Vignes 2020 75cl £37.94

An outstanding Burgundy, with excellent intensity of aroma and flavour, fantastic balance and structure, and deep, earthy richness - thanks to some seriously old vines in two small plots (totalling less than two hectares), which were planted in 1946 and 1954 This gets even better with air, so decanting is recommended Exceptional value for money Enjoy immediately or any time over the next 4-5 years

Red 13

Domaine de Bellene Beaune Premier Cru Les Teurons 2018 75cl £61.14

Red 12.5

Maison Roche de Bellene Monthelie 2019 75cl £40.79

A delicious, delicate Burgundy that is drinking beautifully now It has vivacious fruit perfume on the nose, with the hint of earthiness that marks it as 'un vrai Bourgogne' Juicy and straightforward, this is one to enjoy now and over the next two years

Red 14.5

Nosotros Malbec 18 Susana Balbo 300cl £494.03

Red 13

De Martino Carmenere 'Alto de Piedras' 2021 75cl £24.60

Complex aromas of dark berry fruit, tobacco and black pepper, joined by a smoky minerality and cedar notes coming from the well integrated use of oak Enjoyable while young, it has sufficient structure to develop greater complexity over the next 15-20 years

Red 13.5

Humberto Canale Intimo Tinto 2022 75cl £12.80

Red 15

Bertani Amarone Classico DOCG 1994 75cl £466.75

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 However, the key to this wine has got to be the sweetness level It is genuinely dry, unlike many modern-style competitors

Red 15

Bertani Amarone Classico DOCG 1980 75cl £626.53

Red 14

Swinney Frankland River Grenache 2021 75cl £28.46

Grown on bush vines, whose leaf canopy with dappled shade and growth pattern in three dimensions helps separate the bunches and ensure even ripening in Frankland River's marginal climate for this variety With a deep ruby-purple colour, this is unusually dark for Grenache, again thanks to the way it is grown A fabulous, complex mix of sweet, spicy and savoury aromas: cherries, raspberries, white chocolate, vanilla bean, violets, cloves and anise In the mouth, succulent black cherry and juicy blackberry notes are evident, with fine yet firm structure and a classy, clean, dry finish There is nothing to prevent this from being enjoyed straight away, however it should also age gracefully

Red 14

Swinney Farvie Mourvedre 2021 75cl £78.77

Owner Matt Swinney and winemaker Rob Mann's ambition here is to produce a Bandol-inspired wine that displays the splendid qualities of the Mourvedre grape This has fabulous, complex, savoury meat-stock richness lent grace by a lovely, lilting floral lift There is masses going on in the mouth: weighty, chewy and terrifically textured There are layers of tannins upon tannins and yet they are never obtrusive, but instead comforting and velvety You can enjoy this immediately (decanting recommended), or it will keep for many years

Red 13

Lake Chalice 'The Raptor', Marlborough, Pinot Noir 2022 75cl £23.92

An elegant and perfumed Pinot Noir, delivering intense notes of blackberry, plum and cherry fruit with delicate earthy aromas, velvety and smooth

Red 14.5

Finca Bacara, Time Waits For No One, 'Black Skull', Jumilla, 2021 75cl £20.20

Voluptuous with intense aromas of ripe red fruits, barbecue and dark plum accompanied by complex notes of spice, balsamic, tobacco and mocha Powerful and robust yet silky on the finish

Red 14

Domaine de Belle Mare Grenache-Merlot, Les Granges de Felines 2022 75cl £10.25

A blend of Merlot, Grenache and Syrah, this is fresh and fruity with red berry and cherry character and a clean, fruity finish If you're after an easy quaffing, well made, fruity red this is the one

White 13.5

Bergaglio Gavi di Gavi DOCG, Vigneto Ciapon 2020 75cl £19.80

This amazing aged Gavi is a huge surprise, and probably unlike any Gavi you have encountered before It has deep, concentrated dried apricot fruit character, with honey, truffle, fragrant wood and earth nuances A far cry from innocuous, 'typical' Gavi, this is an intense and complex fine wine

White 12.5

Santo Isidro de Pegoes, Peninsula de Setubal, 'Sobreiro de Pegoes' Colheita Branco 2022 75cl £10.30

Aromatic floral notes together with tropical and citrus flavours and a touch of spice, lead to a creamy texture beautifully balanced by a fresh finish

Red 14

Pedemontis, 'Ruvaj', Nebbiolo d'Alba 2020 75cl £31.36

A velvety and harmonious Nebbiolo, with a bouquet of raspberry, geranium and wild strawberry layered with spicy cinnamon and vanilla