Our aim is to be different and better than other wine merchants.

We stock a huge range of quality wines for all tastes and budgets. Our wines cover the ancient Chateaux of France, through to the new and exciting boutique [...]]]> As the name suggests, an independent wine merchant situated near Swansea. South Wales.

Our aim is to be different and better than other wine merchants.

We stock a huge range of quality wines for all tastes and budgets. Our wines cover the ancient Chateaux of France, through to the new and exciting boutique wineries in the ‘New World’ such as South Africa and Australia.Our Chateau in the Medoc, Chateau Rousseau de Sipian, which itself produces award winning wines, has enabled us to source many unusual and individual wines from France and over the last few years we have broadened our search and imported some truly exceptional wines from Australia and New Zealand. Put simply, we strive to find the world’s best wines at the best prices for our customers.

An attractive and visual website with online shopping, good tasting notes and information. Proper shop and tastings in-shop most Saturdays.The wines are complemented by a range of French, Spanish and Welsh foods.

Mumbles Fine Wines  524 Mumbles Road, Mumbles, Swansea, SA3 4DH    t:01792 367663

The Big Indie Wine Fest celebrates the  UK’s best independent wine merchants. No retail giants included, this is a chance to sample some of the most exclusive [...]]]> The Third annual Manchester Food and Drink Festival runs 7-17 October 2011, and for the wine enthusiast the big event is  the  Big Indie Wine Fest on 7-8 October 2011:

The Big Indie Wine Fest celebrates the  UK’s best independent wine merchants. No retail giants included, this is a chance to sample some of the most exclusive wines around with guidance from the merchants themselves. Plus, take part in bespoke tutored tastings from experts from around the UK. 4 sessions run across the weekend at the iconic People’s History Museum.

Numerous masterclasses are on offer. Amongst the exhibitors are:

Smithfield Wine

Rodney Densem Wines

Corks Out

Hanging Ditch

Aldeby Wines

For more info see http://foodanddrinkfestival.com

Probably somewhat ahead of the trend at the time towards all things organic and less adulterated by chemical  they were “inspired by the from quality-oriented, passionate growers we met and [...]]]> Established by 3 friends in 1986 Vintage Roots has firmly established itself as one of the leading independent organic wine merchants in the UK.

Probably somewhat ahead of the trend at the time towards all things organic and less adulterated by chemical  they were “inspired by the from quality-oriented, passionate growers we met and other committed people in the organic industry.”

our list consists of some three hundred organic wines, dozens of beers along with numerous organic ciders, spirits, liqueurs, juices and even chocolate (well how could we resist?). We moved recently to a farm near Heckfield with an organic shop out front (do come and visit!) with more warehouse space to allow us to do what we do best and where the curious cows look in through the window at our busy office

To have a wide range is one thing, but to have a wide range of quality goods is quite another. Every item that appears on our list is tasted at one of our many tastings throughout the year and constantly reviewed for quality. They are tasted ‘blind’, amongst many others of their type. In this way, we are not influenced by price, or the ‘reputation’ of a particular producer. We are simply focused on choosing what we find to be the best for you in terms of flavour, interest, quality and value for money.

From once being a specialised category, organic wines are now much more mainstream and compete effectively on both taste and value. The website is attractive and easy to navigate with online ordering and decent tasting notes.

They also offer vegan and bio dynamic wines.

Tastings are arranged throughout the year
“We don’t have a shop as such but the general public are more then welcome to drop buy and talk to somebody about wine and take and order away with them. There is a discount for collection as well.”

14-16 October 2011 – London Wine and Cheese Festival – South Bank

26 November 2011 – Festive Wine tasting (Henley-on-Thames)

Vintage Roots  Holdshott Farm. Reading Road. Heckfield. Hook RG27 0JZ.
t:0800 980 4992

 Mark Hughes spent  his entire professional life in the Wine Trade as, amongst other things, Wine Controller for Safeway and UK Sales and Marketing Director for Hardy’s Australian Wines. The Real Wine [...]]]> With a fresh and usable internet site, the Real Wine Company is an independent online wine merchant set up by Mark Hughes:

 Mark Hughes spent  his entire professional life in the Wine Trade as, amongst other things, Wine Controller for Safeway and UK Sales and Marketing Director for Hardy’s Australian Wines. The Real Wine Company was the result of a Victor Meldrew-like rant against the impossibility of finding real wines which make you sit up and take notice. Over the years I have discovered gorgeous wines from around the world made by individual wine producers passionate about their wines. We created The Real Wine Company to showcase these wines and winemakers.

We feel that supermarkets can be a bit like a jumble sale where you can occasionally find a bargain. We see ourselves as prospectors on behalf of our customers; finding valuable nuggets for us all to enjoy year in, year out.

The Real Wine Company is your private gateway to our producers from around the world who are dedicated to producing quality wines at affordable prices.

There seems to be a leaning towards Chilean wines – but not exclusively. For each wine there are good personalised tasting notes and wine+food recommendations.

Innovative website – You can order  online and seach by wine style and colour – although not by country.

Tasting:

4 December 2011 – Annual Christmas Tasting (Gerrards Cross)

see the UKwinesonline  2012 Calendar for any later tasting dates

The Real Wine Company c/o Pinewood Nurseries, Wexham Street, Stoke Poges, Bucks, SL3 6NB (post)

t: 07951 720 309

A key feature of the Wine Pantry is the Tasting Room, London’ s only exclusively English wine  shop:

One of London’s smallest shops, we hold a much larger ambition to promote and [...]]]> Down in foodie-heaven at London’s Borough Market, a new venture has opened bringing together quality English Wine, Cheese and Cured meats.

A key feature of the Wine Pantry is the Tasting Room, London’ s only exclusively English wine  shop:

One of London’s smallest shops, we hold a much larger ambition to promote and support the finest British products and English wine, by sourcing them directly from producers and making them available in one of London’s oldest and most renowned markets, six days a week.

It is good to see English wine getting top billing with English winemakers getting recognition for the quality of their produce and offering real alternatives to traditional wine-exporting countries. It will be pasrticularly interesting  to contrast and compare wines from different English producers. Wine is often at its best against food – the Wine Pantry’s selection of English cured meats and cheeses is not yet available online – another excuse to pop into Borough Market if you are in the capital.

No online ordering or scheduled tastings as yet – although you can browse their English wines for tasting notes and at the store they have up to 20 wines for tasting by the glass!

The Wine Pantry – Tasting Room:1 Stoney Street, Borough Market, SE1 9AA  t:020 7407 1002

 With a youthful and energetic approach to selling wine, RED&WHITE utilise the knowledge, skill and passion of owner Liam Steevenson MW to offer outstanding wines and service through out the South West in an informative and knowledgeable manner.

RED&WHITE supports [...]]]> Devon-based Red and White Wine headed up by Liam Steevenson, MW (Master of Wine)

 With a youthful and energetic approach to selling wine, RED&WHITE utilise the knowledge, skill and passion of owner Liam Steevenson MW to offer outstanding wines and service through out the South West in an informative and knowledgeable manner.

RED&WHITE supports the smaller producer, those that produce wine with passion, that reflects both their region and their personality. We aim to be a small link between the producer and the consumer, so that the wine is truly understood by the person drinking it

The website is clean and sharp but online ordering is not available, although you can view and download a copy of their list( pdf) which has a decent selection of classic and some lesser-known wines.  Friday shop tastings are on offer and the whole approach looks fresh and professional.
UK Delivery = not given

Tastings offered

Red and White The Wine Store   99 Fore Street, Kingsbridge, Devon, TQ7 1AB

t:01548 854 473

A branch opening in Bath is promised soon!

At the following events there [...]]]> The idea of the Three Wine Men shows is to bring an audience of enthusiastic wine lovers into one room with wine and TV Personalities Tim Atkin, Olly Smith and Oz Clarke to learn more about the complexities and fun you can have with wine and also with food.

At the following events there will be over 500 wines for you to taste, cookery master classes, face to face meetings with winemakers, masterclasses on food and wine matching, pop up tastings, glassware demonstrations, opportunities to buy wine for Christmas and many more exciting activities designed to help enlighten you about the complex world of wine…what more could you ask for in a day out?

Three Wine Men

e:info@threewinemen.co.uk

24 September 2011 (Lords, London)

25 September 2011 ( Manchester)

3-4  December 2011 (Lords, London)

Over 29,000* wine enthusiasts and food lovers attended the 3 day event last year – With The Wine Show co-located with hugely poplar MasterChef LIVE [...]]]> After the huge success and high volume of visitors last year, The Wine Show 2011 has expanded and will take place in its own dedicated venue in Olympia 2.

Over 29,000* wine enthusiasts and food lovers attended the 3 day event last year – With The Wine Show co-located with hugely poplar MasterChef LIVE it’s a must attend event for any wine and food lover.

Wine Show 2011 11-13 Nov 2011, Olympia London

Food lovers across the country are in for a treat at this years’ Leeds Loves Food, the city’s annual food festival, held from 1st – 3rd July 2011.

The festival is now in its sixth year and is set to be bigger than ever. In addition to the annual [...]]]> 1-3 July 2011. Leeds, Yorkshire

Food lovers across the country are in for a treat at this years’ Leeds Loves Food, the city’s annual food festival, held from 1st – 3rd July 2011.

The festival is now in its sixth year and is set to be bigger than ever. In addition to the annual programme of activities, a vast Yorkshire food and drink show is coming to town. Held in Millennium Square, the show will bring over 100 stallholders from across the UK to the city for the first time.

Amongst the exhibitors will be Manchester’s Spanish Food & Wine Specialist Evuna - who will be on hand to introduce you to Evuna wine from Ribera del duero and will be serving up Alhambra beer to wash down with an amazing Paella!

For more information on the Festival see http://leedslovesfood.com