Ordering wine on the internet can save you time and unearth some real bargains, writes John Wilson
BROWSING THROUGH the bottles of wine in an off-licence can be great fun - provided you have the time. I love nothing better than spending a half-hour moving from region to region, picking up an interesting bottle here, another there, reading the shelf-talkers to pick up snippets of information. However, these days, many of us just don't have the time.
The alternative is to buy from the comfort of your armchair, either by mail-order or on the internet. There is something pleasing about receiving a list in the post, and sitting down for the evening to plot your purchases. However, the internet manages to pack in far more information, and allows you to place your order without hassle, in minutes. Because wine is bulky and heavy, it is not easy to buy directly from overseas outfits. A few of the UK sellers are active in Ireland, but the market is still dominated by a few home-grown operations. In addition, many wine retailers have websites, and offer mail-order. This week, we look at a few of the online specialists.
In the mood of the times, I have put on the hairshirt this week. All of the featured wines cost less than €13, and most are around €10. However, with budget increases, prices may have changed by the time you read this.
WineOnline
WineOnline is a purely online company, started in 1999 by two wine diploma graduates Gerry Fitzsimons and Anne Mullins. As well as an in-depth wine knowledge, both have a background in drinks logistics, crucial to any mail-order company.
"For me, it all started when, living in Portmarnock, I had to travel miles to buy a decent bottle of wine," says Fitzsimons. First, he opened Jus de Vine in 1989, now one of the best wine shops in the country. However, he sold it on to two of his managers in the mid-1990s.
"I did not really have the time needed to do high street retail. Also, we had two armed robberies in the first two years. I had young children, and did not want to put them in danger."
Both Anne and Gerry kept their day jobs, and ran the business part-time for several years without taking a shilling out. It took five years to build up a database. "The internet was just coming of age. It allowed small companies to reach a large potential audience. However, it was also before broadband, so we had to keep our site very small," says Fitzsimons. "Our first target was the Irish diaspora. We knew there were thousands of people abroad who wanted to send gifts back to Ireland. Hitherto, they could only send flowers."
Customers must buy a full case, but there is a changing range of mixed cases available every month for those wishing to experiment. The highest proportion of sales are in the €8-10 per bottle bracket. The range of wines is large, and generally has a very good mix of the popular, but with plenty to attract the wine lover.
WineOnline imports some of their wines directly, particularly from Europe, including a few great value varieties. The site is easy to navigate, and well-planned, with good sections on food and wine pairing, wine regions and wine-making.
www.wineonline.ie
From Vineyards Direct
This is a recent arrival on Irish shores, although it has been trading in the UK for several years. From Vineyards Direct is the brainchild of Esme Johnstone, one-time owner of Château de Sours in Bordeaux, as well as one of the original brains behind Majestic Wine, and David Campbell, a publisher with a huge experience in wine books.
Their idea is very simple; to source good quality wines directly from the producer, and offer them at very affordable prices. The list has deliberately been kept short, to appeal to the wine drinker rather than the wine buff. The prices seem keen, and the limited range I sampled showed plenty of promise. The vast majority are French, and all are European. There is a minimum delivery of two cases per order. The Irish branch of the business is being handled by Stuart Smith, who can be contacted on 01-8457645.
www.fromvineyardsdirect.com
Wines Direct
Paddy Keogh founded Wines Direct some 17 years ago. Back then, Keogh, an army officer, holidayed each year in Bordeaux, and wondered why he couldn't find the same great wines at home. He should be eternally grateful to the friend who suggested that he call the fledgling company Wines Direct, rather than the more restrictive Bordeaux Direct. The first offering was just Bordeaux, but it has since expanded to take in the rest of France and then the world. The basic philosophy, however, remains the same, according to Keogh: "Small, independent producers making quality wine; we have just expanded our horizons." The list now includes Spain, Italy, Austria and Portugal, as well as Australia, South America and New Zealand.
Keogh is adamant that quality does not have to mean expensive. "There is no reason why you shouldn't be able to buy a decent bottle of wine for around €10. But if you are into commercial Chilean wines, then go somewhere else - we don't and cannot do that, but if you want to wander a bit from the comfort of your own home, then we can sort you out. I like to think that we are bringing people on a wine journey."
As the name implies, Wines Direct import all their own wines, which are distributed mainly to restaurants around the country. Otherwise, the only way to gain access is online or in their new shop in Mullingar. The range of wines on offer is first class, with a string of gems from France in particular.
www.winesdirect.ie
Le Caveau
Pascal Rossignol has a tiny shop in Kilkenny, and supplies a number of other retailers and restaurants. However, the core of his business is internet sales. Pascal is from Burgundy, and he has a superb list of wines from that region, along with a really eclectic range from elsewhere in France. Included are a number of my all-time favourite wines. Other countries feature too, but France takes centre stage.
www.lecaveau.ie
The Wine Society
This Wine Society is a British co-operative club, founded in 1874. You must buy a share in the company for £40 (€51) which gives you life membership. Thereafter you can order a case online anytime. It is not profit-making and does not advertise, so prices are reasonable.
The society has a team of knowledgeable buyers who scour the world for interesting wines. The list also contains a huge number of quirky wines made from indigenous grape varieties alongside a very solid selection of classics. The Wine Society has a warehouse near Calais, allowing members to buy wine at lower duty rates, as well as a large warehouse in Stevenage, where you can store your cellar in perfect conditions.
www.thewinesociety.com
The Storeroom
The Storeroom is a new website, specialising in European wines, again mainly French. It has a close relationship with several importers, and can offer some of the finest wines around, Burgundy and the Rhône being very strong.
www.thestoreroom.ie