Beware of The Champagne Company and The Drinks Emporium, online wine companies that are taking…read morecustomer money but failing to supply goods or provide refunds. Both have done this to me recently.

I'm so glad this place opened - since it has, I've been there three times, and not just to purchase…read morea bottle from their vast array on offer but to tastings as well. Situated on the Aston Road near the A38 you could be forgiven for missing it, but don't! It would be a mistake not to go. There is parking available outside so there's not even a need to walk. You have to buzz for entry, but once inside you'll see why. There's a large selection of wines, champagnes, spirits and beers on offer. The décor is well laid out and there are seats should you feel the need to sit down just to take it all in! There is a huge amount of champagnes to cater for every taste ranging from Moet to Bollinger to Dom Perignon. Right in the back corner is a separate section for the more exclusive bottles - I suggest you go have a look at least. There's the normal range of spirits but there are loads of more distinct and different brands on offer. I managed to get hold of a flavoured bottle of Absolut that nowhere else had in stock. The staff are brilliant - when I went in looking for a bottle of rum for my boyfriend who loves the stuff, they showed me various ones similar to the ones he has already tried (by the way - the recommendation was amazing and my boyfriend loved it). I've been back several times to buy beer, spirits and wine. The prices are reasonable and similar to those you'd get online - I've always managed to find what I've wanted for a great price. As it has more speciality items, I know I'll be back to further sample the range.

I came across Tanners by accident whilst searching for a particular Grand Cru Champagne. They were…read morecompetitively priced. I've place a number of orders with them notably for the ampagne, Bas armagnac, and port. I have bought wine too. Yes, I agree they are very knowledgable. However, I was recently looking for a particular Rioja, their prices was about £26 per botle, but Waitrose had exactly the bottle for £18. No0 contest. So I'd use Tanners for something not available elsewhere, but I would also do a general search. Only one thing let them down once, when they substitued a wine with a different year without consulting me first. Their reasoning was that they were out of stock of the one I had ordered. However, they subsequently said they had some in the bonded warehouse. The exchange and delivery took be perilously close to the dinner party, for which it was needed. They were apologetic, and tried to resolve matters immediately. It is important to contact the customer; it is not as though I was ordering from Tesco! Neverthess, I will still use them, but I will ensure that I caveat any order with "No substitutes". There recent red Burgundies for 2008 are quite exgtensive.

Very atmospheric, very knowledgeable, wide range and some rare finds. Yes, some of the products are…read moreexpensive but generally they represent good value. You get what you pay for.

Mumbles Fine Wines is an independent and a very popular Swansea wine merchant situated in the heart…read moreof Mumbles (South Wales). Their emphasis is always on quality, all wines have been selected by their experienced tasting team, which includes their especial in-house Wine and Food Consultant John Roberts (Master of Wine). They have a great team of passionate, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable staff working here. Making this place ideal for asking about wine recommendations, whether it is a special occasion or just a quiet night in, they will have the right wine for you.

A very unique shop. A good selection of wines from all over the world. Very knowledgeable and…read morehelpful staff!

An extremely friendly little shop selling their own brewed beer (the brewery is off-site so don't…read moreexpect a tour), and a wide variety of other bottled beers. It's all sensibly arranged and sensibly priced. There's a very decent selection of both British real ales, and the best of the imports. Belgian and Trappist ales are in abundance, and there's also a few interesting and hard-to-find bottles ranging from Dutch to American. Yes, it turns out that Americans do make decent beer after all. Well, I've found one. The staff (I think it's family-owned and family-run) are very friendly and happy to talk about what they've got, which beers they prefer, which ones they think will suit a particular meal, which ones will be in stock if you come back next week Exactly what you'd want from a beer specialist. There are plenty of ciders as well. They're not really my thing but it looked like a decent selection.

This is a friendly and welcoming shop selling its own beer alongside a good international and…read moreBritish selection. I was dragged in here by the OH, who strongly believes in proper beer and found myself not only interested, but also leaving with some beer of my own. Having been converted to Belgian beer over the years, I was pleased to see a good selection of Trappist and fruit beers, and collected a couple of Krieks and Cassis (cherry and blackcurrent respectively) for afternoons in the garden. The very concept of fruit beer might repel you, but give it a go - you could be surprised. The shop also stocks perrys and ciders, German wheat beer, the best of British small breweries, Czech and Polish beers. If you have stocked up, ask to leave the box to collect by car later.

Ballantynes Wine Merchants is a quality family business. It started its life about thirty five…read moreyears ago in the salubrious market town of Cowbridge, (and although it doesn't sound like it, Cowbridge is reputed to be the wealthiest town in South Wales... it's clearly come a long way since very humble beginnings!), but is now located in Pontcanna, the posh end of Cardiff. Having been around for long enough, the second generation of Ballantynes have joined the business. Perhaps this is why they now have an online store as well as the physical outlet? It is often the case when fresh blood comes into the frame, that progressive changes ensue. Not only do they usually possess the technical abilities to achieve this kind of development, but they also have the ambition and drive to want to put their stamp on the business. Ballantynes is the kind of shop that attracts exclusive business. Working with small vintners and supplying the trade with specialty wines, its got exclusivity written all over it. But, as well as catering for the wholesale trade, they wouldn't turn your retail business away... but I'm sure that even their retail clients are apt to buy their wine by the crate!

For lovers of wine, this is a really excellent outlet in the Pontcanna area of Cardiff. They stock…read morea real range of cheaper and top end wines, though you know that you'll always be getting the best within each price range. Ballantynes are quite renowned for their stocking of good French wine, and seemingly specialise in red, but they also sell from many, many other countries, having recently brought over a number of great New Zealand wines. Ranging from a £5.99 bottle of Chardonnay, to a more enticing bottles that will cost you hundreds of pounds each, this is a store that really will have anything for any wine lover. They are also great a giving advice to those people (like me) who like to think that they know more than they really do.

I just found my new favourite wine shop. Arth Wines is a haven for dipsomaniacs, offering a…read morespectacular range of wines, champagnes, cider and beer (even Yankee brews like Sam Adams are sold here, much to my delight). I spent nearly 20 minutes chatting to owner Richard and hearing the refurbishment plans for his shop, which is conveniently positioned just outside the Penarth Railway station. I even got the grand tour, sidestepping the boxes and dust to get a peek at the back room which will soon house the extensive red wine selection. The prices are really reasonable, especially for a specialty wine shop. Richard explained he cuts out the middleman by buying directly from the vineyards, which allows him to keep his prices down. Don't let the minor state of disarray put you off - Arth Wines is undergoing a transformation, which includes extending the back wall, adding a series of doors to the front of the shop, as well as adding extra cooling sections for the wines and champagnes. In the New Year, Arth Wines will boast several taster machines, which will enable customers to stop in and sample a range of 30 or so wines at any time, a try-before-you buy idea that he says is "the exact opposite to the supermarkets". These dispensing machines keep opened bottles fresh by replacing the air with inert gas nitrogen (keeping the wines away from oxygen prevents oxidation and eventual spoilage). He feels people shouldn't have to spend £100 to try 10 types of wine, many of which may not be suited to their tastes. I want to bring a few bottles of wine back for family and friends in the States, so I'm definitely going to stop by when I have my car. I can tell it's going to be a worthwhile, if expensive, excursion, judging from the spectacular ranges to be had here.

What an amazing shop! I will never think of whisky the same way again…read more In fact I like whisky now and really want to go back to buy a fancy bottle, just to keep in the house and have a drop when we deserve it. You know, like grown ups do! Seriously, take a look at this place, they know their stuff and whether you want to purchase for yourself, for a party or for a present for someone who has everything. Suits all budgets too!

This a lovely small independent whisky retailer with products that are high end and from all over…read morethe Globe. Located just inside the Great Western Arcade it's worth a visit when you can, even just to browse the products. They have many famous brands to offer, so why not let the nice assistant tell you all they know about the whisky distilleries? They are also part of the UK premier and private whisky club, offering a FREE membership with every purchase. They know their products, although perhaps be a bit careful not to over spend in here as the Whisky varieties are not cheap at all. They would make the perfect gift if you can find one at a reasonable price.

Had a great day out today fulfilling my yearning for some serious real ale action after months of…read morelife in Germany. To that end, I visited one of the UK's oldest independent breweries, Three Tuns. I'm not sure how old the existing building is, but it's a gorgeous red brick affair that was threatened with residential development in 2002. Fortunately, common sense won out and the brewery began producing again in 2003. The current output can only be described as fantastic. I drank Three Tuns all over mid-Shropshire today, and each pint was magical. From the first extremely hoppy XXX, to the pint of Stirling after lunch in the adjacent Three Tuns Inn, to the pint of Curate straight from the barrel. I ended up going home a happy man carrying 12 pints of the amber nectar with me. Unfortunately, brewery tours have to be booked in advance, and it's best to arrange for a Saturday. I shall do just that!

Having visited the pub next door a few times and sampling the beer that is brewed here, I have to…read moresay it is one of the finest selection of traditionally brewed ales I have ever tasted. Go there - try some - simple!

Pretty harsh review there by Damster IMHO, and one I find quite unfair, I have been in this shop in…read morethe Uplands many times, and I can only praise the staff there as being VERY helpful and pleasant all round ( and VERY patient with some customers ) This BB Shop has good prices on a lot of items, and is well worth a visit if you are looking for some decent prices on take away drinks

In a country where cut price alcohol is slowly becoming the norm, Bargain Booze shops have been…read moreopening at an alarming rate. From the outside customers are greeted by huge placards with the latest offers on wine and spirits. There is no customer service and you are certainly not greeted with a smile. The prices are good but if you are going in there looking for premium wine then forget it. Over the course of the time it has been open it rarely looks busy despite the large student community around it but its one to avoid and with Spar just around the corner its certainly one to avoid. One thing that this shop is however good for is its range of alcopops.