The Association of Small Direct Wine Merchants

John mentioned the Association of Small Direct Wine Merchants and their tasting a few days ago. I thought a more in-depth look at this loose collection of specialists was worth while.

Established last year, I believe, the association now comprises 20 small wine merchants who directly selling to the general public via mail order and over the internet. Each offers personally selected, usually personally imported, and often exclusive ranges of wines at very reasonable prices. The association produces a newsletter, Grapestalk, the latest issue can be downloaded as a PDF.

Those members who maintain a website and sell online include -

• Boutique Wines - specialising in Australia with plenty of quality producers you won’t see elsewhere
• Decanter Wines - a selection of superb Spanish wines
• Field and Vine - a small offering of wines from around the world
• Devigne Wines - interesting wines from the Jura, Galliac and Southern France
• Champers - design your own label to bedeck a bottle of champagne
• Amordivino - Italian wines with a good little food/recipe section with suggested wines to accompany.
• Nick Dobson Wines - Beaujolais, Austria and Switzerland.
• Step Up Wines - a small range from South Africa
• South Africa Wines - another South African specialist, which sounds a little dismissive but the range is great.
• Big Red Wine Company - France (Rhone especially), Spain and Italy all feature.
• Vinpromo - strong Latin focus with 60% of the list covering Spain, Chile, Argentina and Italy, complemented with selections from France, Australia and New Zealand.
• Wine for Spice - a range of three wines designed to accompany spicy food.
• HC Wines - a small range mostly from France.
• French Regional Wines - just as it says on the tin.