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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White 11

Jim Barry Wines, Watervale, Clare Valley, Riesling 2024 75cl £15.08

Mouthwatering aromas of lemon, grapefruit juice and lime combine with a lick of minerality The generosity of flavour shows all the hallmarks of Watervale Riesling, perfectly balanced by a zesty finish

Red 14

Xanadu, Margaret River, Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 75cl £25.31

A refined and concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon of great class, with characteristic aromas of cassis, mulberry and blue fruits entwined with hints of mocha

Rose 12.5

Chateau de Berne, 'Inspiration', Cotes de Provence, Rose 2023 150cl £41.86

Classic pale pink, this refreshing rose offers delicate aromas of ripe stone fruits and captivating red berries Crisp, with an elegant texture and a smooth finish

Red 11

Sollazzo, Rosso d'Italia 2024 75cl £9.98

A light bodied, round and easy drinking red wine redolent of red cherry fruits

Rose 12.5

San Marzano Tramari, Salento, Primitivo Rose 2024 75cl £13.72

Made from the Primitivo grape, this is a very appealing pale and tangy rose with aromas of roses and red cherries against a creamy background of Mediterranean spice

Red 13

Bodegas Nodus, 'El Renegado', Tinto, Bobal 2024 75cl £12.37

A full and fruity unoaked red from the Bobal variety, with delicious notes of ripe fruits of the forest, strawberry and raspberry complemented by a hint of smoky spice

Rose 13.5

Tandem, 'Casual' Rose, Navarra 2024 75cl £14.40

Pale vibrant pink in colour, this richly aromatic rose has notes of wild red fruits layered with delicate floral and violet hints, leading to a fresh and lively finish

Red 14

Quinta Do Crasto Old Vines Reserva Half Bottle 2022 37.5cl | Great Wines Direct

Quinta Do Crasto Old Vines Reserva Half Bottle 2022 37.5cl £15.54

Hugely complex, this wine has concentrated aromas and flavours, married to wonderful freshness It is lively and juicy - like biting into a just-ripe cherry that bursts in your mouth - and yet is far from straighforward, with intriguing nuances of spices, Mediterranean herbs, olives and well-integrated oak This is irresistible now - and even better if you decant it first - but if you can, keep some bottles back for 257or even 10 years, as it has both the guts and the balance to gain even more complexity with time

Red 14

Quinta Do Crasto Douro Old Vines Reserva 2022 75cl | Great Wines Direct

Quinta Do Crasto Douro Old Vines Reserva 2022 75cl £28.26

Red 12.5

Pegoes, 'Santo Isidro Red', Peninsula de Setubal NV 75cl £10.01

Juicy notes of red damsons and plums, soft and easy drinking

White 13

Alain Chavy Bourgogne Blanc 2022 75cl £20.71

Tantalising aromas of buttered toast and Champagne lead into a beautifully-balanced, creamy palate of poached pears offset by fine, lean acidity With a perfectly-judged balance between richness and freshness, this offers as much drinking pleasure as many a white Burgundy at double the price A really classy wine that beautifully expresses a sense of place

White 13.5

Planeta Terebinto Grillo 2024 75cl £15.82

This irresistibly aromatic, rounded white from a native Sicilian variety is burgeoning with aromas and flavours of apricot and tropical fruit: lychee and pineapples It has lovely freshness and satisfying roundness of texture

Red 13

Artolas Vinho Tinto 2023 75cl £8.17

"Bright ruby colour with a mature bouquet Red cherries, plums and spice abound from this medium bodied beauty This would be great with a light mid-week supper or perfect for quaffing at a party If Great Western Wine 'did plonk';Superb quality, value and a great all-rounder! The perfect mid-week wine"" - Patrick Goudge, Private Client Sales "

White 13.5

Domaine Nadine Ferrand, Pouilly-Fuisse 1er Cru Prestige 2023 75cl £42.35

A rich and creamy wine with nutty and buttery notes combined with sweet spice and ripe pineapple flavours

Red 14.5

Chateau Lamothe-Bouscaut Pessac-Leognan 2020 75cl £23.34

This is a real find - a beautifully restrained, classy Bordeaux Dark purple colour, with complex aromas of blackcurrant, mulberry, white pepper and vine leaves, and hints of savoury soy sauce and oyster shell In the mouth, there is impressive fruit concentration with gorgeously deep, succulent texture This is superb - it is drinking well already, and will continue to do so over the next decade or longer Situated in the village of Cadaujac, 200 metres from Chateau Bouscaut, Lamothe-Bouscaut is an old wine estate owned by Sophie Lurton and Laurent Cogombles The house dates back to the 12th Century The Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon vines grown on these deep, gravelly soils are on average 35 years old, and the vineyard is managed sustainably

Red 13

Chateau Camarsac Vieilles Vignes, Bordeaux Superieur 2021 75cl £13.48

Deep purple colour There are notes of red and black fruits and with undertones of sweet spices such as cinnamon and clove Elegant tannins and a long finish