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Topic: Where to find good wine?  (Read 1925 times)

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Where to find good wine?
« on: November 18, 2014, 08:58:23 PM »
I don't understand why, but we have had no luck finding good wine in the UK.  I'm not a wine snob.  I like pretty much anything, as long as it isn't too sweet.

My husband and I shop at Tesco at we always get crap wine.  Maybe we're shopping in the wrong place, but they have such a huge selection, you would think we wouldn't strike out every time.  I buy wine at the grocery store here in Texas and I almost never get a bad bottle. 

Is there a wine club we should join?  Any other places we should try? 

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Re: Where to find good wine?
« Reply #1 on: November 18, 2014, 09:58:25 PM »
Waitrose, Nicholas, Oddbins, Majestic and any number of local merchants.


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Re: Where to find good wine?
« Reply #2 on: November 19, 2014, 03:22:41 AM »
Thanks Anonymiss. I'll keep looking. I know there is a Waitrose near us, will keep an eye out for the others you mentioned.
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Re: Where to find good wine?
« Reply #3 on: November 20, 2014, 07:52:52 PM »
My husband and his family love their wine, and when I've been they've always had a tasty selection at the house.  Do you think you're possibly getting more California/Texas wines here in TX and more French wines that aren't as much to your taste in England?  I'm a bit scared to leave now!!
« Last Edit: November 20, 2014, 09:50:43 PM by Texgirl »
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Re: Where to find good wine?
« Reply #4 on: November 21, 2014, 03:39:49 PM »
Texgirl - I do love California wines.  Oh, I am going to miss them!  That said, I honestly love French and Spanish wines, too.  I think we're just having terrible luck.  Our Tesco has a massive wine selection and every one we've tried are terrible!

I have since talked to my friend in the UK, who always has good wine when we go round to her house, and she said we should join a club. 
Met my husband: 08 Apr 2011
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Re: Where to find good wine?
« Reply #5 on: November 24, 2014, 07:17:24 PM »
There's plenty of very good wine available in the UK.  You need to pay attention to the type of grape/blend and region that you prefer, then search out wines that fit those requirements and try loads of different types until you find some that you love. 

For day to day wine, Sainsbury's have a good selection and that is normally where I end up.  Even ASDA stocks some really nice stuff, but you probably need to avoid the 3 for £12 offers - they aren't usually great wines. 

For special wines, I use an online wine merchant like Wine Direct.  Be prepared to pay high prices at places like that though.  I usually do an order once per quarter, and stock up on Italian, Californian, South African, etc wines that are much higher quality than I can get at the supermarket.

I've used wine clubs in the past and have had mixed results - sometimes you end up with stuff that just isn't great, but end up paying quite a bit for it.  I much prefer seeking out single bottles that are similar to others we like and experimenting rather than having someone else choose wine for us.

It's just like anything else when you move to the UK, it's going to take some trial and error and research, but eventually you'll find a wine that meets your needs.  Happy drinking!
Not MrsRichUK anymore!  :-)


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Re: Where to find good wine?
« Reply #6 on: November 25, 2014, 06:45:39 PM »
I'll check out Wine Direct.  Thanks MsB!
Met my husband: 08 Apr 2011
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Re: Where to find good wine?
« Reply #7 on: November 25, 2014, 07:35:58 PM »
We have tried a couple of clubs, and we found The Wine Society to be the best for us.  They have a good selection of wines from around the world, including some U.S. wines (although they tend to be expensive, unfortunately).  There is free shipping if you buy a case.
As you like California wines, you might want to try Australian and New Zealand wines for comparability ...


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Re: Where to find good wine?
« Reply #8 on: November 29, 2014, 07:56:14 PM »
Make your own  ;)
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Re: Where to find good wine?
« Reply #9 on: February 16, 2015, 04:30:20 PM »
Trifecta32...have you had any luck??  I'm having terrible luck finding wines I like as well!  I did find several California red wines online at Waitrose that I plan to order.  They are wines that I drank in the US, not necessarily my favorite, but I know they'll do!  I did not see these specific wines in the store. 
Online application completed: Oct 27 2014
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Visa arrived: Nov 22
Moved to England: 11 Dec 2014
FLR-M Application Sent:  13 June 2017
Decision Made: 27 July 2017
Biometric Residence Card Received: 28 July 2017
Decision Letter and Documents Returned:  29 July 2017
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