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 11

Gran Fondo, Rosso d'Italia 2023 75cl £9.85

A light bodied and easy drinking wine full of cherry and raspberry fruit flavours

Red 13

Domaine Anne et Sebastien Bidault, Gevrey-Chambertin 2022 75cl £70.37

A well structured Gevrey-Chambertin with flavours of red cherry and plum through to a firm, vegetal finish

White 13.5

Chateau Guiraud G de Guiraud white Bordeaux 2023 75cl £21.96

This is an amazing, immediately delicious yet complex white wine It impresses straight away with distinctive aromas of ripe pineapple, passionfruit and a hint of toasted sesame In the mouth, it is full-bodied, yet with fabulous freshness and zest You still taste the passionfruit, and there's a delicious pink grapefruit character as well that comes through on the palate This should evolve nicely for a few years, although it's so delicious now, it will be hard to resist drinking immediately From First Growth Sauternes producer, Chateau Guiraud, this superb dry white is only allowed to be called 'Bordeaux Blanc', since Sauternes must be a sweet wine

White 13.5

Nivarius, 'La Nevera', Rioja Blanco 2018 75cl £33.22

Made entirely from the rare Maturana grape, this is refreshing, with lovely texture and yet spectacular tension, and notes of apple, pear and quince with a saline finish

White 12

Saint Clair, Marlborough, Pet Nat 2024 75cl £22.84

A delightfully crisp and refreshing gently sparkling wine, with layered notes of fresh green apple, white stone fruits, a delicate hint of citrus and elegant lees influence

Red 14

Craggy Range, 'Sophia', Hawke's Bay, Gimblett Gravels 2021 75cl £81.96

Subtle notes of wild thyme and sage seamlessly blend with plum, fruit cake and brioche The enticing mid-palate suppleness and sweetness lead to a delicious finish

Red 12.5

Craggy Range, Martinborough, Te Muna Road Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2023 75cl £34.60

A fine, ethereal Pinot Noir with evocative notes of lavender, sweet spice, ripe red berried fruits and silky tannins through to a supremely elegant finish

Red 13

Craggy Range, Hawke's Bay, Gimblett Gravels, Syrah 2021 75cl £32.06

A Syrah showing tremendous aromatic lift, with notes of lavender and sweet cherry through to a beautifully balanced palate with lovely concentration

Red 12.5

Craggy Range, Martinborough, Pinot Noir 2023 75cl £31.56

A delicate, supple and approachable Pinot Noir with aromas of dried lavender and wild thyme combined with red cherry On the palate, flavours of crushed raspberry and orange zest are layered with savoury undertones

Red 14

Craggy Range, Hawke's Bay, Gimblett Gravels, Te Kahu 2021 75cl £30.92

Concentrated aromas of cassis, black olive and dried tobacco lead to a palate of great energy, with red fruits and liquorice framed by dark chocolate laced tannins

Red 14.5

Bogle Family Vineyards Pinot Noir 2022 75cl £16.86

In keeping with Bogle's house style, the Pinot Noir is juicy and straightforward, with cherry coulis and strawberry jam on the nose and palate Soft, supple and easygoing, with the oak character coming across as a distinct vanilla note

Red 12.5

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Varvaglione Malvasia Nera del Salento 2022 75cl £13.90

Red 14.5

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Maison Sinnae Cotes du Rhone Villages Chusclan 'Elements Sol' 2022 75cl £11.54

The most serious and complex of Maison Sinnae's 'Elements' range, this is a Cotes du Rhone Villages wine from vineyards around the village of Chusclan It has savoury, truffley, gamey notes on the nose and concentration, density and structure on the palate

Red 14.5

Fontanafredda Barolo di Serralunga d'Alba DOCG 2020 75cl £37.99

A Barolo wine from vineyards surrounding the village of Serralunga d'Alba This has a brick / orange colour, and wonderfully complex, autumnal aromas of rosehip, fenugreek, black truffle, dry leaves and charcuterie In the mouth, it is full, rich and succulent, with rounded, velvety tannins This is absolutely ready to enjoy now, and it will conmtinue to drink well for at least another 5-6 years

Red 15.5

Orin Swift Abstract 2022 75cl £39.26

This wine is bursting with juicy red and dark fruits (raspberries, cranberries, dark plums) On the palate, it is voluptuous in body yet incredibly smooth with similar fruit notes and a touch of sweet vanilla With a luscious and velvety mouthfeel, the wine finishes with lingering ripe black plum notes and a long length

White 11.5

Domaine des Forges, Coteaux du Layon Saint Aubin 2023 50cl £14.04

Aromatic notes of lemon meringue and barley sugar prelude a rich, sweet palate with underlying freshness