The Wine Merchant's Blog

Finca Sophenia, the producer of everyone’s favourite Altosur Malbec have been producing premium estate wines for over 20 years, many of which are sold here at JN Wine. While most of us are familiar with what’s inside the bottle, we decided it was time to introduce you to the people who create and care for […]

Christmas and New Year are now but a distant memory and it really is back to porridge.  As 2019 sets in here are our Staff Picks to get you through those long evenings.  We recommend that these are paired with some delicious food and good friends.   Aidan Pask Small Batch Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 A […]

Herdade do Portocarro are a relatively recent addition to the JN portfolio but in the short time since their arrival they have become firm favourites of customers and staff alike looking both for quality, structured wines at an affordable price as well as some of the finest and most complex examples that Portugal has to […]

This strictly limited-edition Cask Finish gin has been distilled for JN Wine by the Rademon Estate.  We sourced and shipped the casks from premium Bordeaux property, Chateau Cantemerle.  Then the magic started. Quietly resting in Chateau Cantemerle casks for just three months, the flavours and characters from the oak barrel infused into the gin giving […]

It’s that time of year again and we have some delicious wines to help you get through the festive season! Aidan Chateau Leconte Marquey 2015 Christmas is a great time to break out the Bordeaux, and at only £15.95 from the exceptional 2015, this one tops my list for dinner parties over the festive period! […]

New Zealand Tasting Join us on Saturday 17th November as we celebrate wine of New Zealand.  We will have a large selection of red and white wines open for tasting in the Tasting Room in Crossgar from three of our finest producers including Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.  Just call in between 12 and […]

We are thrilled that our 2018 Christmas Brochure has landed. Browse our collection of favourite wines from 2018, including handpicked selections by James Nicholson and Jane Boyce MW. We have all the cases you love; our Festive Favourites, our ever popular duo gift packs, as well as a range of new custom made cases. Perfect […]

As the leaves change colour, the evenings get shorter, it’s time to get cosy in front of the fire – and top it all off with a rich, warming bottle of Rioja! We are welcoming the onset of autumn with arms open wide, and armed with Spain’s finest offerings!  From the 15th until the 28th […]

When it comes to wine, acidity is nearly everything to me. It is acidity that enables us to enjoy a glass of wine and not become bored when drinking the second one. It confers freshness, elegance and vitality to wine. However, and this is of utmost importance: acidity needs to be perfectly (and beautifully) balanced. […]

Many of us wine lovers have romantic notions of large collections, full of classic Bordeaux, Burgundy, Hermitage, Champagne, Barolo…the list can go on and on and on. The reality is, for the vast majority of us, the fancy cellar, full of perfectly aged wines is nothing more than a dream. But that definitely doesn’t mean […]

For each new season we pick a wine to reflect the change in temperature.  As autumn sets in it is time to start moving from chilled whites to fuller body whites and warming reds. Here are our recommendations.   Taryn St John’s Road, The Prophet Shiraz 2016, £22.50 I’ve found a wine that will get […]

Get to know grape varieties and regions rather than brand names which are often made up by marketing people and produced in bulk with the objective of being consistent. Look out for new grape varieties and blends which offer something new and interesting. Good examples include:  Michele Biancardi Solo Fiano 2016 and  Hesketh Small Parcels Negroamaro 2016   […]