Who is your wine merchant?

[guitarpete247]

For many years I have used different suppliers. I like Majestic (several branches near us) and Sainsbury's plus various specialist shops when visiting the Smoke.
But for about 3 years have chosen Aldi. I even use the phrase "Going to wine merchant tonight on the way home" every Friday after work.
I use their middle section (seasonal choices) and like the pair with guide either on shelf or most bottles.
Tried Lidl recently after Guardian Feast suggested their high quality but not overly impressed.
Does anyone have any other ideas for wine merchants I might try. I live in the Midlands so a lot of those mentioned in weekend papers, being London centric not practical.

 

[figbat]

For many years I have used different suppliers. I like Majestic (several branches near us) and Sainsbury's plus various specialist shops when visiting the Smoke.
But for about 3 years have chosen Aldi. I even use the phrase "Going to wine merchant tonight on the way home" every Friday after work.
I use their middle section (seasonal choices) and like the pair with guide either on shelf or most bottles.
Tried Lidl recently after Guardian Feast suggested their high quality but not overly impressed.
Does anyone have any other ideas for wine merchants I might try. I live in the Midlands so a lot of those mentioned in weekend papers, being London centric not practical.

It’s probably not what you’re after, but I use Naked Wines. It’s subs-based but all your money gets used for buying wine - there’s no ‘fee’. I’ve never had a bad bottle and am into the hundreds ordered.

 

[KnittyNorah]

For many years I have used different suppliers. I like Majestic (several branches near us) and Sainsbury's plus various specialist shops when visiting the Smoke.
But for about 3 years have chosen Aldi. I even use the phrase "Going to wine merchant tonight on the way home" every Friday after work.
I use their middle section (seasonal choices) and like the pair with guide either on shelf or most bottles.
Tried Lidl recently after Guardian Feast suggested their high quality but not overly impressed.
Does anyone have any other ideas for wine merchants I might try. I live in the Midlands so a lot of those mentioned in weekend papers, being London centric not practical.

I think Lidl varies greatly according to - as far as I can see - a combination of area and the manager. It can be simply excellent or it might be just blah. I'd suggest trying a different Lidl ... the one I use gets the 'good' wines in but they sell out very fast, another one I sometimes use never has much of interest. When I lived somewhere about 15 miles away, the Lidl I used seemed to have every wine recommended in the Sunday supplements in generous quantities!

 

[stephec]

Tesco or Aldi.

 

[mistyoptic]

The Wine Society.

More properly the “International Exhibition Co-operative Wine Society”

Not for profit organisation. Can’t always beat supermarket special deals but a lot more variety and wealth of info and advice

 

[Mike Ayling]

I have not drunk alcohol for some time but Aldi was my supplier then.

 

[Ian H]

My local wine shop. They buy bin-ends and bankrupt stock. All the guys there know their wines and can offer advice on what to purchase.

 

[Arrowfoot]

All decent wines are well known labels which have been reviewed and they are not necessarily expensive. They can be had for circa £15 and in times of good harvest for less than that.

Pick a wine after reviewing it. I know its hard but one way is by picking a country such as France, Oz, US, South Africa, Chile etc. and build up your knowledge. All the decent labels are well known.

You will also find wines are cheaper online and drops in price if bought in batches of 6.

Avoid merchants who sell “independent” labels or claim to avoid the middle man or importers which is basically meant for those who have little clue about the trade. Its a scam.

This is one product where you pick the product but not retailer or be held hostage by the same retailer.

Ps 1. Btw after 3 glasses all wines are wonderful as the alcohol has taken over. So if you into alcohol, just get a bottle of any plonk for couple of quid. Nothing wrong with that.

Ps 2. If you are regular wine consumer and you never had a bad bottle, you basically can‘ tell the difference between wine and vinegar. Wines tend to go bad every now and then due to temp changes, cork (old days) etc. It part and parcel of drinking wine. Some people can pick it up straightaway and get them to do the tasting.

The above is the very reason Sommeliers from the most expensive restaurants to the lower end ask customers to try a sip when they open a new bottle in front of the customer. If the wine has deteriorated which is not uncommon as explained earlier, it will be replaced. Its not for drama or showbizz.

 

[Jameshow]

Coop, not a big drinker, usually the remains of a bottle if guests have come over.

 

[T4tomo]

Majestic have a branch just up the road from work, so is a go to. Always buy 6 bottles. Its also worth having a look around their in store "bin ends" which my branch has near the door and tills. Their prices vary a lot for same wine, depending on what the special offers are. I went in the other day to bu more of a wine I'd bought for £11 and it was back up to £18!

Aldi selection takes some beating for value, there £8-£12 is usually exceptional.

Morrisons wine buyer is also very highly rated, so hard to go wrong with there "the best" selection

Wine Society has great buys and wines that don't get near the supermarkets.
I also occasionally dip into Rothschild's private collection, via Waddesdon. Their house range is excellent.

 

[Arjimlad]

Sunday Times Wine Club at the moment, but had some cracking wine from Aldi in the past.

I'm on a deal where they send a case out quarterly, I can adjust the order and timing to suit the seasons.

 

[TheDoctor]

I'll second the Wine Society - just up the road from me!
They're never going to compete with Aldi on price, but they're pretty good value.
I got a mystery Bin Ends case a few days ago. 6 reds, 4 whites, a rose and a bottle of port.
About £112 at list price. Paid £85.
I do tend to use Aldi quite a lot too and I also have a box of Languedoc Chateau Cardboard on the go.
Surprisingly drinkable at about 10 euro for three litres.
I did not buy this one...

 

[Oldhippy]

The residents of the retirement complex I manage are mine. They regularly present me with a good quality red.

 

[Badger_Boom]

The Wine Society.

More properly the “International Exhibition Co-operative Wine Society”

Not for profit organisation. Can’t always beat supermarket special deals but a lot more variety and wealth of info and advice

Another vote for the Wine Society. It's hard to pick a bad bottle.

 

[TheDoctor]

Another vote for the Wine Society. It's hard to pick a bad bottle.

I've never had a bad wine from them. Had a few at tastings that I wouldn't pay the asking price for, but that's a very different matter.
It does help that every wine on the list, is there because an MW thinks it should be.