New: From Vineyards Direct

Majestic man Johnstone launches new wine site Majestic founder and former Chateau de Sours director Esme Johnstone has joined forces with David Campbell of the Everyman Library to launch a new wine website - From Vineyards Direct.

From Vineyards Direct offers a limited range of high quality and very affordable wines delivered from Europe’s best vineyards to your door. A simple, efficient, low-overhead service with prices significantly lower than other merchants. From Bordeaux and Burgundy to the Rhône, Champagne and Tuscany, we offer a hand-picked selection of exceptional finds.

Fifteen wines are currently listed. The solitary champagne is from Serge Mathieu (£14.75 bottle) described as “a single grower Champagne made from Serge Mathieu’s own grapes, and not bought in from scores of growers as the bigger brands are. The new edition of Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book lists it as “an outstanding eco-friendly” Champagne to watch in 2007. The price is unbeatable-highly recommended.”

From Burgundy the team have selected a Chablis from Montmain (£11.75), a Meursault Flamoise (£16.75) and a Saint-Veran (£7.95) (wines from Saint Veran are often my pick for the best value Burgundian whites). There is one wine from outside of France, Ananda di Toscana (£17.95) and five Clarets ranging from £6.45 to £19.95 a bottle.

The minimum order quantity of 2 cases is way over the established norm but prices do include delivery.

Minimum total order is 2 cases (24 bottles of 75cl equivalent) for the UK and 5 cases (60 bottles of 75cl equivalent) for Ireland. We also offer a collection service from just outside Calais, France, at a per-bottle saving of £1.50 for wines and £2.00 for Champagne, and a per-case saving of £18 for wine, £24 per 12-case/£12 per 6-case for Champagne.

The range might be small, which is not a bad thing as several other merchants operate the same way, but the minimum order is likely to put off many potential customers.

UPDATE: see article covering From Vineyards Direct in the Scotsman.