The Wine Merchant's Blog

Are you starting to think about a New Year’s Resolution?  Instead of giving something up why not try something new?  We recommend continuing your wine education by signing up to our Wine Club.  What could go wrong with having a selection of your favourite wine delivered direct to your door? We have 3 different Clubs […]

With 2018 just a few days away it is time to start thinking about New Year’s Eve and where the celebrations will take place.  Wherever you are or whatever you are doing make sure you have a good glass of bubbles to toast the end of 2017 and the new beginning of 2018.  Here are […]

Tradition dictates that since Victorian times, Turkey is the festive favourite gracing the tables across the land.  But what is the traditional wine to be served to accompany this feast? Like most poultry, turkey is middle-weight and not especially powerfully flavoured, with a low-fat content and prone to long cooking periods these factors are worth […]

If you want great locally produced food and drink in a place with an open fire and more than a nod to the nautical, then this is the place for you. Set on the banks of the Dibney River where it flows into Strangford Lough, a classic European restaurant with a modern twist serving lunch […]

The grape that has catapulted itself to the forefront of wine society, outselling many of its competitors namely Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. An easy drinking, light fresh wine that is very seldom oak aged by itself- what could be better for the average restaurant? From rags to riches Pinot Grigio has created quite a name […]

Château St. Jacques d’Albas is situated in the Minervois, within the Languedoc region in the South of France.  Nestled in the hills behind the medieval city of Carcassonne. To the North are the Black mountains, to the Southeast the Mediterranean ocean, and the snow peaked Pyrénées rise to the South. St. Jacques’ rich history stretches […]

“I don’t like Chardonnay…do you have any Chablis?” This is a phase that many wine merchants have probably heard a million times or more, and many people are both amazed and puzzled when we inform them that Chablis is, in fact made from Chardonnay. This is not an uncommon occurrence; many people claim to love […]

We are delighted to introduce three exciting new wines from Spain.  These white wines offer an interesting alternative to Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay.  You may have seen these varietals on your summer holidays and now you can enjoy them at home.   Altos de Torona Albariño 2016 Aged 6 months on lees. A lovely young […]

Often over shadowed by the more well-known grapes, such as Cabernet, Merlot and Pinot Noir, Grenache is a grape that is unjustifiably ignored by many, mostly newer, wine drinkers. This is a real shame, as Grenache makes some phenomenal wines. Also known as Garnacha in Spain (where it likely originated), Grenache is found in Rioja […]

There is much confusion between these two wines. They sound a lot alike but are completely different. Both are white wines from France, but from different regions and made from different grape varieties, one from Sauvignon Blanc and the other from Chardonnay.   Pouilly Fumé (Pooay Foo-may) What is it? It is a white wine […]

It’s natural for us as consumers to look for the highest quality of produce for the best possible price. In our increasingly globalised world it has become easier than ever for us to buy wine from all corners of the globe for little over £5 a bottle, as supermarkets and other retailers compete for our […]

What is a ‘drinking window’? A fine wine will have an optimum period of time when it is judged to be at the peak of maturity and therefore ideal for drinking.  This is known as the wine’s drinking window. What is wrong with drinking a wine outside of this window? Fine wines, particularly the red […]