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 11.5

Gaia Wines, Santorini, Vinsanto By Gaia 8 Years Old, NV 50cl £61.72

Deliciously sweet but balanced by the refreshing backbone of Assyrtiko, this is an aromatic explosion of dried fig, raisin, coffee, caramel, vanilla and cinnamon enveloping a beautifully textured palate full of flavour

White 13

Chateau de Sancerre, Terre De Silex 2022 75cl £48.18

A fresh, invigorating and mineral expression of Sancerre from the famous Silex soils, this stunning cuvee shows citrus and white fruit notes with a long, elegant finish

Red 14.5

Chateau Boutisse, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2019 75cl £37.60

A classically styled and elegant Saint-Emilion with notes of cedar, ripe blackcurrants and dark chocolate through to a long and full flavoured finish

White 14.5

Maison Sinnae Cotes du Rhone 2023 75cl £11.87

A rounded, expressive white from four southern Rhone grape varieties Pleasant, gentle pear fruitiness, reminiscent of a Vermentiono or good Pinot Grigio Soft-textured and fresh on the palate

White 14

Saint Clair, Origin, Hawkes Bay, Viognier 2021 75cl £18.44

Saint Clair Origin Viognier is a distinctive New Zealand white wine showcasing the aromatic potential of Viognier in the Marlborough region. This vintage delivers stone fruit and floral notes with a mineral backbone, characteristic of the varietal's expression in cooler climates. The wine balances richness with crisp acidity, making it versatile for food pairing A freshly flavoured wine displaying prominent notes of peach, apricot and apple underlined by aromas of fragrant blossom flowers with spice

Red 14.5

Trapiche Perfiles Malbec Textura Fina 2022 75cl £19.45

This demonstrates how Malbec responds to different soils in nearby vineyards - to be compared with Trapiche's Perfiles 'Calcareo' Grown on clay soil, this has lovely creamy damson flavours, beautiful velvety texture and lovely lingering finish

Red 13

Bodegas Verum Ulterior Mazuelo Parcela No4 Organic 2019 75cl £23.21

Quite reminiscent of a Rioja Reserva, with distinct coconut oak character Full and rich, with ripe plummy fruit and deep, bass earth, dried herb and balsamic notes Highly recommended if you enjoy smooth, full-bodied wines like the Papale Oro, Unanime or Falernia Carmenere Gran Reserva

Red 14

Bodega Bideona Vino de Pueblo, Laguardia L4GD4, Rioja Alavesa 2020 75cl £37.22

A light and perfumed wine with delicate, floral aromas of wild strawberries and violets complemented by a long, mineral core

Red 14

D Arenberg The Galvo Garage Cabernet Blend 2018 75cl £20.57

On the nose are lifted aromas of dark fruits, plums, mulberries with a hint of black cherries Fresh soil is also apparent, with an underlying note of exotic Indian spice The palate shows mulberries, black pepper and ripe plums, before a strong, lingering dark cherry spice meld with the more complex characters of quince paste, nutmeg and cinnamon

Red 14

Vina San Pedro Altair Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 75cl £62.81

Deep ruby red with a nose of intense aromas of fresh red fruit like cherries, intermingled with a subtle note of oak that is perfectly integrated in the wine Good acidity balances this wine with a concentrated palate that achieves a good balance between the alcohol level, body and tannins Smooth texture and a long finish

Red 13.5

Vachnadziani Winery, Kakheti, Saperavi Classical 2020 75cl £16.33

Inviting aromas of wild berry, spice and toasty notes prelude an earthy palate with rich creme de cassis and ripe raspberry flavours enhanced by a touch of black pepper

White 12

Bodegas la Purisima, Yecla, Campules La Rubia Macabeo NV 75cl £10.42

Bright and aromatic aromas of juicy stone fruits and a touch of refreshing citrus lead to a light and vibrant palate full of fruit with a crisp, mouthwatering finish

Red 13.5

Chaffey Bros Wine Co Not Your Grandma's Chillable Red 2022 75cl £15.18

Medium colour with a garnet hue Lifted aromatics of rose petals, red berries, cola and a subtle fresh earthy note Palate sits somewhere betweena rose and red, it's medium bodied, soft and smashable, with refreshing acidity leaving you wanting more Upfront red fruits, continuing with earthy, cola/anise characters and finishing with a peppery stalky spice A great balance of sweet and savoury from the likes of Grenache and Mouvedre

Red 12

Virgen de las Vinas, El Concierto Tinto NV 75cl £9.83

A smooth and juicy red wine made from the Tempranillo grape showing red-berried fruit and cherry notes in an easy-drinking, unoaked style

Red 13.5

Oak Ridge Winery, California, Maggio Old Vines Petite Sirah 2021 75cl £16.92

Oak Ridge Winery's 'Maggio' Old Vines Petite Sirah showcases the depth and structure this California varietal is known for. Sourced from mature vines, this wine delivers concentrated dark fruit, subtle spice, and firm tannins characteristic of quality Petite Sirah. This vintage captures the winery's commitment to balanced winemaking, offering complexity that rewards both immediate enjoyment and careful cellaring. A compelling choice for those seeking serious California reds with genuine character and ageing potential. This richly coloured wine offers opulent notes of ripe blackberry fruit with nuances of smoky bacon, vanilla and wild herbs, juicy and inviting

Rose 14.5

Clos du Temple Rose, Gerard Bertrand, Languedoc Cabrieres 2019 75cl £66.42

A truly exquisite rose, with precise aromas of ripe apricot and peach complemented by hints of spice Perfectly balanced, with extraordinary aromatic freshness