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 12.5

Terre du Soleil, Pays d'Oc, Merlot 2024 75cl £11.08

Terre du Soleil's Merlot delivers approachable Southern French character with ripe dark fruit and subtle spice. This vintage balances richness with freshness, making it equally suited to casual weeknight drinking or pairing with roasted meats and hearty fare. A reliable, well-crafted expression from one of France's most consistent wine regions. A juicy Merlot from the South of France offering fresh notes of ripe plum and vibrant red fruits Made in an approachable style, this is smooth, with silky tannins and a fruity finish

White 13.5

Alpha Estate, Single Vineyard Turtles, Florina, Malagouzia 2024 75cl £19.91

A delicately aromatic wine with light floral notes and hints of green apple, grapefruit and white pepper with a zesty, mineral finish

Red 14

Broken Shackle Classic Red, South Eastern Australia 2023 75cl £11.41

Broken Shackle Classic Red delivers approachable fruit-forward character from South Eastern Australia's premier wine regions. This great vintage balances ripe red berries with subtle oak influence, offering versatility across casual weeknight meals and relaxed entertaining. A reliable choice for those seeking quality without pretension; structured enough to pair with roasted meats and rich dishes, yet accessible in style and price point. Easy-drinking and exuberantly flavoured Australian red with some jammy sweet fruit and a hint of mint and black pepper on the finish

Red 13.5

San Marzano, Il Pumo, Salento, Primitivo 2023 75cl £13.55

San Marzano Il Pumo Primitivo is a bold expression of Puglia's signature varietal. Dark cherry and plum dominate the palate, layered with subtle spice and a mineral undertone that speaks to the limestone-rich terroir. Intense aromas of cooked plums and cherries, full of fleshy and ripe fruit flavours through to a savoury finish with cinnamon notes

Red 14

Crasto Old Vines Reserva Half Bottle 2022 37.5cl £18.86

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

White 12.5

Chateau Sainte Marie Entre-Deux-Mers 'Vieilles Vignes' 2024 75cl £13.33

This is full of character, while gentler than a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand The first impression is of pink grapefruit and gooseberry, with just a suggestion of tomato plant The smell is so appetising that it invites you to take a sip Brisk and mouthwatering on the palate, balanced by some breadth and weight of texture It finishes where it begins with a lovely persistence of pure, zesty citrus flavours Great to drink now, or you can expect it to gain richness of texture over the next 2-3 years

Red 14

Pegoes, 'Vinhas de Pegoes' Touriga Nacional

Santo Isidro de Pegoes, Vinhas de Pegoes, Peninsula de Setubal, Touriga Nacional 2023 75cl £12.92

Pegoes' Vinhas de Pegoes showcases the depth and structure of Portugal's signature Touriga Nacional varietal. This vintage delivers dark fruit intensity, blackberry and plum, with subtle spice and mineral undertones characteristic of the Tejo region. Medium-bodied with refined tannins and good acidity. A compelling expression of terroir-driven winemaking at an approachable price point. A bold and opulent wine with aromas of blueberry, plum and blackberry compote with toasty oak spice leading to a richly flavoured palate with a long finish

Red 14.5

Bonny Doon Vineyard Le Cigare Volant 2023 75cl £21.30

"In 1954, the village council of Chateauneuf-du-Pape was quite perturbed and apprehensive that flying saucers of 'flying cigars' might do damage to their vineyards, were they to land therein So, right-thinking men all, they passed an ordinance prohibiting the landing of flying saucers or flying cigars in their vineyards The ordinance further states that any flying saucers or flying cigars that did land were to be taken immediately to the pound" Thus reads the label of 'Le Cigare Volant', the inspiration of the original 'Rhone Ranger', Randall Grahm A fabulously delicious red from California's Central Coast - Just one sip teleports you to the southern Rhone valley Fragrant, perfumed aroma of just-picked fresh strawberries Full of flavour, with a delicious combination of juicy richness and super-soft tannins Very moreish Can it really be this irresistible without some kind of mind control? 52% Grenache, 35% Cinsault and 13% Syrah

White 14.5

Directors Cut Chardonnay 22 Coppola 75cl £25.86

Red 15

Orin Swift Palermo 2022 75cl £50.15

Deep and alluring aromas of raspberry and ripe cherry are intermingled with accents of star anise, five spice and freshly steeped black tea The entry is smooth with a combination of cassis and blackberry with a satiating suppleness Ultra round and soft, the wine finishes with reverberating length

Red 13

Hazy View, Cape Coast, Pinotage 2023 75cl £11.11

Warm berried fruit with smoky and tobacco hints, this is a modern expression of South Africa's signature grape

Red 14

Thelema Mountain Vineyards Merlot 2021 75cl £18.98

The aroma is at once appealing and inviting, deep and complex Plum crumble, vanilla bean and sun-dried tomato to begin with; opening up to reveal nuances of roasted red pepper, saucisson and gravelly, tarry, mineral notes In the mouth it has irresistibly lovely, succulent, soft texture It is full and rounded, while beautifully-defined Great refinement to the tannin texture Creamy stone fruit character - plum and cherry cheesecake Excellent overall balance, and so very drinkable Enjoy immediately and over the next five years

White 13

Louis Michel Chablis Premier Cru Montee de Tonnerre 2022 75cl £42.01

Montee de Tonnerre is the very finest and most prestigious Premier Cru, offering quality regularly approaching that of Grand Cru Chablis Louis Michel produces grapes from an entire slope at this location, creating a powerful wine with complexity, balance, wonderful refinement and ageing potential It has concentration and richness, carried in such a subtle way "Grand Cru, at half the price" - fabulous, and not to be missed

White 12.5

Louis Michel Chablis 2023 75cl £32.06

This is outstanding Chablis, that evokes its northern Burgundy origins with a fabulous sense of place It displays the typical 'stony' character of the region, over which are layered exciting notes of white peach, apricot and chervil, thanks to the care and dedication in the vineyard and cellar of this top producer

White 12

Pinot Grigio DOC 23 Arco dei Giovi 75cl £10.04

White 9.5

Brown Brothers, Explorer Series, Victoria, Orange Muscat and Flora 2022 37.5cl £10.98

Vibrant gold in colour, with lifted aromas of lemon, honey, spice and musk, through to a fresh and tangy palate with a zesty and balanced sweetness