What is it about Dentists and wine? Harlequin Wines was set up by a dentist, Martin Bayne – as was the respected Yapp Brothers in Wiltshire – established by Robin Yapp.
Established in
2000 Harlequin Wines is …a company dedicated to quality. The wines we choose appeal to the discerning wine lover. Our philosophy is simple. Search long and hard to find the new, unusual and the delightful. Then dealing direct with the wine-makers we can ensure quality, and value for money.
With a focus on European wines, initially the Franconian region of Germany (Franken wines), they now source French wine from Alsace, the Loire, Beaujolais, and the Languedoc- and more recently from Italy.
The advantage for independent wine merchants is that they can do more with visits to the regions and visiting winemakers in Europe than is usually practicable for more distant continents. Whilst ultimately the quality of the wine is in the tasting, a good wine merchant can add more value for the customer if they know more about the vineyard, winemaker and region – and provide a valuable 2-way link between the customer and the winemaker- i.e. between the vineyard and your door.
The list looks interesting and well-researched – plenty of information on the website and in the irregular newsletter – BUT no proper online ordering (download a listing/order form) and a suspicion that things may be slightly outdated gifven that there has been no new newsletter since Spring 2009. I also missed any details of available tastings, which can be so important when considering unfamiliar wines such as those of Franken.
Interesting website, resonable tasting notes, but no online ordering – print out order and post/fax – 
no tasting dates published(member of ASDW)
UK Delivery = £7.50
Harlequin Wines, Hill Farm House, Warthill, York YO19 5XW
t: 01904 489217;
