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Wine Listing
eTipple stock an extensive range of wines that can be ordered online at discounted prices with free delivery (orders over £100). Our listing includes wines of France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Moldova, Slovenia, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina and North America (California). The full listing is shown below.
FRANCE
Bordeaux
The largest fine wine region in the world - all Australia's vineyards would fit into Bordeaux twice over. The secret of the wine is in the blending of Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot and Cabernet Franc to give complexity and consistency.
Burgundy
The fabulous but fussy Pinot Noir is a Holy Grail to many winemakers and is the key to red Burgundy. Its white partner is that international traveller Chardonnay, truly at home on the gentle slopes of the Côte d'OR and Chablis.
Loire
The banks of Europe's last wild river are best known for their whites - from the Atlantic influenced Muscadet, to the mouth-watering Sauvignons of the central vineyards of Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé.
Rhône
Best known for its rugged and robust reds, the inky Syrah is most at home clinging to the cliff-sides of the north. The gentle hills of the south suit Grenache (grape type), with a host of other local varieties adding their spice to the blend.
South of France
Once the source of oceans of red paint-stripper, the south of France has the climate to beat the New World at its own game. State of the art technology and flying winemakers have transformed non-descript blends into fruit-packed varietals.
ITALY
Lazio
The volcanic hills to the south of Rome are source of Frascati, possibly Italy's most famous white. The Pope makes his summer home here, among the Trebbiano and Malvasia vines, when the heat of the city gets too much.
Abruzzo
A hilly region due East of Rome, where table grapes and olive oil are produced in quantity. The wine is redeemed by the noble Montepulciano Grape, which makes rich and full bodied reds. Not to be confused with the town of the same name in Tuscany.
Marche
"The Marches" as they are known in English are probably better known for their beautiful beaches than their wine. A few hours sunning yourself can work up quite a thirst for the refreshing crisp white Verdicchio.
Umbria
South of Tuscany, Umbria's most important wine is Orvieto, made for over 2000 years, and said to have revived flagging artists during the Renaissance. Trebbiano with Grechetto and Malvasia make up the recipe.
Tuscany
The wines can be among the best that Italy produces and are certainly important in volume. Sangiovese with Canaiolo and Malvasia go into Chianti, while the better "Classico" wines come from the beautiful, hilly centre.
Emilia Romagna
Some of Italy's gastronomic highlights come from the fertile plains around the River Po - Parmesan, Balsamic vinegar, Parma ham and Bolognese sauce to name a few. The local Lambrusco has evolved to play a supporting role and accompany such local dishes.
Vino da Tavola
Italian for table wine. Vino da Tavola is usually made from local grapes with uncomplicated drinking in mind.
Veneto
The exciting thing about Italy is the huge range of local grapes, with unique flavours, that go into their wines. Around Verona, the wonderfully named Corvina, Molinara and Rondinella go into Valpolicella and Garganega is the key ingredient in Soave.
Friuli Venezie Giulia
This region stretches from the Veneto to the Alps near Trieste. It was the birthplace of the new wave of Italian winemaking in the 1970s and has gained a well-deserved reputation for stylish varietal wines. The vineyards are widely planted with noble grapes like Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet and Merlot.
GERMANY
Rhein/Mosel/QmP
Germany's northerly climate means that grapes only grow well in sheltered sites, like the steep slopes of the Mosel Valley. The banks of the Rhein are good too, because the river acts as a giant mirror reflecting heat back onto the vines. Teutonic wine law is predictably logical and is based on the ripeness of the grapes at harvest. Look out for QmP on the label - the top quality designation.
SPAIN
Rioja
Spain's most well known quality wine region. The wines are famous for their oak flavours which come from long ageing in barrel. This has been traditional since the 1860s.
Penedès
Most famous for sparkling Cava, but Penedès also produces a wide range of still wines. The cool hilltops near Barcelona produce fresh whites, while the warmer coastal areas produce full bodied reds.
Valdepeñas
An outcrop of gently hilly land in the flat, arid plains of central Spain, south of Madrid. Most famous for creating soft reds from Cencibel Grapes, the local name for Tempranillo.
Valencia
Just inland from Spain's most busy seaport are the fruit groves of Valencia. Native grapes like Merseguera and others produce wines ranging from dry to sweet. A real star is the luscious and sticky Moscatel de Valencia.
Vino de la Tierra
The equivalent of France's Vin de Pays - a number of geographical designations have been defined by law. The wines produced as "Vino de la Tierra" should have real regional character and flavour.
PORTUGAL
Winemaking in Portugal was still in the Middle Ages until entry into the EC and lots of grants transformed the industry. Like most wine producing nations, consumption at home is falling fast and producers have been forced to look elsewhere for new markets. British wine buyers are the most professional in the world and demand very high standards. The result is a real new wave of exciting wines with uniquely Portuguese flavours.
EASTERN EUROPE
Bulgaria / Hungary / Romania / Moldova / Slovenia
The collapse of communism has had a dramatic effect on wine production in the Eastern Bloc, as the vast Soviet Union used to soak up almost every drop. Bulgaria was first on the UK scene with the biggest plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon outside France and prices to match her desperation for hard currency. Hungary has made a great impact with fresh, clean whites and Romania's speciality is Pinot Noir.
AUSTRALIA
The image of wines from "Down Under" as only fit for hand to hand combat is long gone. Australia leads the world in wine-making technology and was first to introduce stainless steel from the dairy industry. With it came temperature control and ideas like hygiene. No nonsense varietal labelling, together with new blends like Cabernet and Shiraz, Semillon and Chardonnay have definitely hit the right note over here.
NEW ZEALAND
The Maoris named it "Land Of The Long White Cloud" for good reason. New Zealand's climate is pretty cool and damp, which is great for intense aromas in white wines. Powerful goosebury-flavoured Sauvignon Blanc made Kiwi wines famous, though there is actually more Chardonnay produced. Reds are more of a challenge, but have recently come on in leaps and bounds.
CHILE
Vines were exported to Chile in the mid 1800s with the French who could not bear to be without wine. A combination of towering mountains and deserts has protected Chile from the dreaded Phylloxera louse which munched its way through Europe's vineyards. Perhaps Chilean wine really shows us what the French used to drink. Merlot is proving to be a real star, though Cabernet, Chardonnay and Sauvignon are also good.
ARGENTINA
Few winelovers realise that Argentina is the fourth biggest wine producer in the world. Historically, her wine has been drunk at home in volumes to rival the French, and political difficulties have limited exports. Today, there is a new philosophy of quality over quantity which is clear in the wines. The best vineyards, in regions like Mendoza, nestle in the Andean foothills and are watered by melted snow.
CALIFORNIA
The sunshine state is the world's eleventh largest economy and likes to do everything on a bigger and bolder scale than anyone else (except perhaps the Texans). Until recently, wine was no different and ended up too alcoholic and oaky to enjoy drinking. Today moderation is the buzz word - the wines still have plenty of flavour, but they are better balanced and lovely to drink too.