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

Brookdale Estate, Mason Road, Paarl, GSM 2024 75cl £17.72

A GSM with an enticing cascade of juicy brambly berries, cherry, plum and blackcurrant pastille fruits, complemented by delicate smoky and spicy notes

White 14

Groot Constantia, Constantia, Sauvignon Blanc 2024 75cl £19.19

Fresh and zesty with uplifting herbaceous notes of gooseberry and asparagus and a refreshing lime zest finish

White 12.1

clos Clare, Watervale, Clare Valley, Riesling 2023 75cl £25.27

Benchmark Clare Valley Riesling, bone dry and poised with characteristic lime and pepper flavours adding complexity to the fine and lifted mineral core

White 11

Jim Barry Wines, Watervale, Clare Valley, Riesling 2024 75cl £15.34

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

Rose 12.5

Chateau de Berne, Inspiration, Cotes de Provence, Rose 2023 150cl £55.45

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 14.5

Banfi, Brunello di Montalcino 2019 75cl £53.72

An intense and elegant Brunello with an intense bouquet of black fruits combined with roses, full and powerful yet full of finesse

Red 11

Sollazzo, Rosso d'Italia 2024 75cl £10.13

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

Red 14

Castello Vicchiomaggio, Agostino Petri, Chianti Classico Riserva 2022 75cl £27.05

Castello Vicchiomaggio's Agostino Petri Chianti Classico Riserva represents the pinnacle of traditional Tuscan winemaking. This vintage showcases the estate's mastery of Sangiovese, delivering a wine of considerable structure and elegance. Expect layers of dark cherry, plum, and subtle spice, underpinned by firm tannins and balanced acidity that promise graceful evolution in the cellar. The Riserva designation reflects extended ageing and rigorous selection—a benchmark expression of Chianti's terroir and heritage. An opulent and elegant wine, well textured with savoury cherry hints enhanced by cedar and chocolate notes and culminating in a smooth and velvety finish

Rose 12.5

San Marzano, Tramari, Salento, Primitivo Rose 2024 75cl £14.38

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 14

San Marzano, Talo, Primitivo di Manduria 2023 75cl £18.37

San Marzano 'Talo' is a bold expression of Primitivo from Manduria, Puglia's sun-drenched southern heartland. This vintage delivers ripe dark fruit, subtle spice, and a structured palate with fine tannins—a hallmark of quality Primitivo. The wine balances richness with restraint, making it equally suited to grilled meats, aged cheeses, or contemplative sipping. A serious Italian red that rewards both immediate enjoyment and modest cellaring.

White 13.5

Wine bottle labelled 'Tom Benz' Pinot Blanc Oak Aged with a black cap and gold text on a white background

Mosel Oak Aged Pinot Blanc - Tom Benz 75cl £23.17

A great alternative for the more popular Riesling is Tom Benz Oak Aged Pinot Blanc. With notes of pear, apple, and a faint hint of vanilla, this wine enthrals with its rich layers of flavour and creamy texture. With grapes from meticulously maintained vineyards that reflect the distinctive Mosel terroir, this amazing oak-aged Pinot Blanc alludes to the painstaking attention to detail that goes into its creation.

Rose 13.5

Tandem, Casual Rose, Navarra 2024 75cl £14.80

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

White 13

Thomas Labille, Chablis 1er Cru Montmains 2023 75cl £37.78

A textured and stylish 1er Cru Chablis with marked citrus notes and hints of delicate fresh mint, through to a vivacious palate with a long, saline finish

Red 12.5

Pegoes, Santo Isidro Red, Peninsula de Setubal NV 75cl £10.51

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

Red 14.5

Bogle Family Vineyards Petite Sirah 2021 75cl £18.08

First produced in 1978 by the Bogle family, this Petite Sirah is considered Bogle's "heritage" varietal On the nose, luscious boysenberry is evident along with touches of black pepper and herbs Trademark inky and jammy tones fill the mouth with ripe fruit and berries The voluptuous finish lingers with toasty oak and lush fruit The firm tannins make this a wine that can develop for a number of years, but most people won't want to wait that long to enjoy it! Try with rich meat dishes of lamb, pork or game and their hearty sauces

White 13

Planeta Terebinto Grillo 2024 75cl £18.11

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