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

La Rioja Alta Vina Ardanza Rioja Reserva 2019 37.5cl £21.12

La Rioja Alta Vina Ardanza represents the pinnacle of traditional Rioja craftsmanship. This Reserva showcases the winery's signature elegance through a refined blend of Tempranillo with Garnacha, aged in American oak to develop layers of ripe cherry, leather, and subtle spice. The half-bottle format offers the perfect introduction to this iconic producer's heritage, delivering complexity and structure that rewards both immediate enjoyment and careful cellaring. A benchmark expression of classic Rioja style. An emblematic Rioja showcasing beautiful balance, silkiness and opulence with aromatic spicy notes enveloping rich, red fruits and a long, smooth finish

White 11

Sartori Pinot Grigio Venezie Vigna Mescita 2024 75cl £9.26

Fresh and fruity Pinot Grigio from northern Italy, with a gentle bouquet of pears and peaches, and a subtle, fresh flavour

Red 14

El Esteco Don David Malbec 2023 75cl £13.20

From the crazily high altitude (6,000+ feet) Calchaqui Valley in Salta, this combines violet-scented fruit with succulent, plushy texture A beautifully intense yet refined Malbec, Don David is well-balanced with soft tannins and notes of violets, plums, red fruits and a hint of chocolate This wine pays homage to the winery's founder, Don David Michel, and after 12 months in oak, the wine gets to reflect the qualities of its namesake: distinction and elegance, and boasting a well-defined identity

Red 14

Aubert and Mathieu Milo, Minervois la Liviniere 2021 75cl £20.10

Aubert and Mathieu have smashed a home run with this brilliant Minervois It's succulent, full-bodied and velvety, yet also with fine freshness and elegance You couldn't ask for more in a satisfying red winebut there is more It has amazing complexity and balance between vibrant, fresh, scented aromas of strawberry and rose petal and gutsy, deep nuances of dried herbs, roast beef, butter fudge, fig, liquorice and curry spice It's an awesome wine, and you should buy as much as the wine rack will hold, and then some Wow

White 12.5

Domaine Vendange, Altesse, 'Madame de M', Roussette de Savoie 2022 75cl £21.22

A rich, aromatic and textured wine with floral blossom, spice and flint layered with elegant notes of quince and ripe pineapple culminating in a mineral and saline finish

Red 13.5

14 Hands Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 75cl £16.91

The inspiration for 14 Hands wines recalls a time when wild mustangs roamed freely on the hills of eastern Washington State This unique and beautiful landscape that gave these unbridled horses their spirit and tenacity now feeds their vines The 14 Hands Cabernet Sauvignon has aromas of blueberries and blackcurrants with subtle hints of dried herbs and spice On the palate, the dark stone fruit flavours are complemented by a touch of cocoa and accentuated by fine, velvety tannins

White 11

Sacchetto, Veneto, Prosecco Frizzante NV 20cl £5.26

A refreshing semi sparkling wine with a fruity bouquet

Rose 11

Sospiro Sangiovese Rosato Rubicone IGT 75cl NV £10.88

Red 0.5

JJ Leitz NV Zero Point Five Pinot Noir 05%, Leitz 75cl NV £7.76

The Zero-Point-Five offers clean and fresh Pinot Noir notes of red currant and cherries; nicely integrated tannic structure and an almost dry finish, which is remarkably long An impressive very-nearly-non-alc wine has context menu

Red 14

Bottle of Abito malbec reserva wine with a label featuring an eye design.

Abito Malbec Reserva 75cl £15.01

Abito Malbec Reserva hails from Argentina's Maipú Valley, renowned for producing expressive and finely crafted Malbecs. This wine delivers a rich palate of ripe red and black fruits, seamlessly balanced with subtle oak nuances. Its vibrant structure and smooth finish make it a standout choice for those seeking a deeply flavourful and elegant expression of Malbec.

Red 8.5

cienna, brown brothers, victoria, australian red wine

Brown Brothers Cienna 2024 75cl £13.00

Brown Brothers' Cienna is a deliciously sweet red wine of considerable depth, blending muscat and tawny styles into a wine of warming spice and dried fruit complexity. Produced in Victoria's King Valley, this release offers notes of caramel, hazelnut, and subtle oak maturation. It's suited to contemplative sipping or as an aperitif. A distinctive choice for those seeking Australian fortified character beyond the conventional. A light-bodied red wine with vibrant aromas of summer berries and a hint of spice With fruit sweetness on the palate, it is rich and juicy with a refreshing finish

Red 14.5

San Marzano 'Anniversario 62', Primitivo di Manduria Riserva 2019 75cl £30.17

A densely flavoured and fleshy wine with hints of prunes and chocolate covered black cherry combined with fresh herbs, quite delicious

White 12.5

Black River Sauv Bl 24 Humberto Canale 75cl £12.04

Red 14.5

Casa Brancaia Il Blu Rosso di Toscana 2020 75cl £71.77

Deep in colour, Il Blu is sheer class - expressing intense blueberry and black cherry fruit, balanced by a sumptuous oak character It's powerful and concentrated on the palate, with plush, fine tannins and a lovely sense of freshness It opens up beautifully with air, so after spending a bit of time in a decanter, there's nothing to prevent its being enjoyed now, although it could be cellared 10+ years if desired

Red 14

Santo Isidro de Pegoes, Peninsula de Setubal, Touriga Nacional 2021 75cl £16.07

Flavours of black cherry with herbs, vanilla, big and rich with a spicy and robust finish

White 12

Susana Balbo Signature White Blend 2022 75cl £19.91

This lovely wine is a Bordeaux blend with an Argentine twist The expected Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc are combined with masterfully-crafted Torrontes - Susana is the 'Queen of Torrontes', after all The result is wonderfully bright and aromatic, with freshness yet also layers of texture and complexity Floral and citrus notes combine with hints of fresh grass, white peach and orange In the mouth, floral, fresh and fruity flavours are in perfect balance with the unctuousness that comes from barrel maturation