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

Bodegas San Alejandro, 'Evodia', Aragon, Garnacha 2021 75cl £17.08

An elegant expression of Garnacha with effortless notes of raspberry, sweet and sour cherry laced with distinctive minerality and herbal tones Smooth and full of finesse

Red 13

Hugonell, Joven, Rioja 2022 75cl £11.78

Plum and juicy red cherry flavours combine with hints of vanilla and spice

Red 14.5

Lomond Wines, 'Conebush', Cape Agulhas, Syrah 2019 75cl £32.95

A rich, savoury Syrah with appealing notes of plum, oak spice and white pepper, elegant with lovely freshness from its cool climate origins

Rose 12.5

Fresh and Fruity GrenacheRose 21 Canned WC 24/187 18.7cl £4.43

Red 14

Azienda Agricola Donato d'Angelo Balconara IGT Basilicata Rosso 2019 75cl £21.44

Red ruby On the nose predominate scent of red cherry, red plum, black pepper and notes of liquorice, tobacco, toast and cloves On palate is dry and full body, with balanced tannins

White 13

Organic Collector Blanc 22 Leoube 75cl £63.89

White 12.5

Lionel Gosseaume Sauvignon Blanc 2020 75cl £12.07

Bright citrus and white grapefruit aromas Fresh on the palate, with rounded texture and a crisp, refreshing finish

White 13

Bodegas Vinatigo, Islas Canarias, Tenerife, Vijariego Blanco 2022 75cl £33.04

Textured and creamy with fragrant aromas of pear and tangy pineapple complemented by a striking acidity which is characteristic of this variety

Red 14.5

Badia a Coltibuono, Sangioveto, Toscana 2016 75cl £43.76

A warm and savoury wine offering an array of red fruits, balsamic notes, toasty spice, vanilla and clove, all unfolding into the palate through to a long, refined finish

White 12.5

Louise Chereau, Katharos Muscadet Sans Soufre Ajoute 2022 75cl £18.05

An outstanding and atypical expression of Muscadet showing great aromatic purity of honied oranges combined with butter and white flowers, textured and full flavoured with a remarkably clean and saline finish

White 12.5

Weingut Leitz Grand Cru Riesling 'Berg Schlossberg' GG 2020 75cl £34.56

A wine of true pedigree, this displays beautifully refined and complex aromas of beeswax, honey, white peach, frankincense and honeysuckle The aromas may suggest sweetness, but the palate is as dry and stony as the hillside on which the grapes are grown It has terrific intensity now, but if you can hold on to a few bottles for a few years, it will get even better The Berg Schlossberg vineyard lies at the western end of Rheingau, where the river takes a sharp turn to the north The dramatically steep slope, southerly exposure, superb drainage and protection from north winds by the Taunus Mountains make for an outstanding Grand Cru site - a challenge to cultivate, but the resulting wine makes the effort more than worth it

Red 14.5

Frescobaldi Montesodi 2011 75cl £42.88

The nose has the bold character typical of this vintage Among the main descriptors, fruity notes begin with red and black berries, including raspberry, wild strawberry, black cherry, blackcurrant and blackberry These are supported by sweet vanillaand rounded off with balsamic notes, pepper and cinnamon The palate is well-rounded and sumptuously elegant; the alcohol and acidic content balance out perfectly The tannins are smooth and well integrated

Red 14.5

Frescobaldi Montesodi 2010 75cl £68.56

Red 14.5

Frescobaldi Montesodi 2008 75cl £50.87

Red 14.5

Chateau La Gaffeliere Saint Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classe 2014 75cl £98.04

This is a fine Saint-Emilion of the old school, with lovely sumptuousness of fruit and tannins which were chewy when young, but are now mellowing to a wonderful, velvet plushness The Chateau La Gaffeliere vineyard is superbly-situated: oriented towards the south, and covering 25 hectares, 22 of which are in a single parcel between Chateaux Ausone and Pavie Hillsides are calcareous clay, while the lower slopes are more sandy The vineyard is planted with 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc

Red 14

Michele Chiarlo 'Tortoniano', Barolo 2019 75cl £57.77

A full, traditional and earthy Barolo, well structured and gamey with hints of balsamic and leather through to a dry, firm finish