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.

New Forest Wines is an Independent Merchant offering a fantastic selection of top quality wines,…read morespeciality spirits and locally produced beer and cider. Only wines that meet the strictest criteria get a listing no global corporate mass-produced overly-branded wine are allowed in here. Passionate about sourcing from smaller, quality driven boutique producers. All wines have been personally chosen, tasted and rated to ensure the best quality and value for money at all price levels. You will fine a selection of interesting and unusual wines overflowing with character, balanced by a comprehensive range of Classics.

when we are in the south west wether devon , dorset or cornwall we always make the effort to do a…read moredetour to visit wine world on the main street in HONITON . The selection of wine is exceptional and the owners are extremely helpful with advice and also fab prices ,and never yet had a bottle that did not please and we have been going for at least 10 years, and the will also offer to carry your selctions to your car

a return to the old fashioned off licence, with staff that know what they are talking about. a huge…read moreselection of beers from around the world. some great deals on well known and yet to be discovered wines. nice clean store, friendly knowledgable owner. and a carpark right outside the front door to load the boot! what more do you need!

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.

This is a superb wine shop to stop at if you're passing through, it has a very interesting and…read moreinspired selection and the people running the place are very knowledgable and enthusiastic. I'm not a wine connoisseur as I have a preference for beer so spend my time drinking that, but we picked up a few bottles of red from the under £10 section and they were all fantastic. The budget section was large enough for anyone but they also had far more wines which were pricier, and I'm sure of great interest to those who are into their wine. They run wine tasting classes if you're getting into the field, and to my pleasure they also stock a small selection of interesting real ales.

This very old, well-established wine merchant in the centre of Shipston is the spot to go if you…read moreneed to buy wine other than standard, supermarket-pushed brands. The staff are really knowledgeable and pleasant; the selection is outstanding (from budget to top quality fine wines) and its location is very handy with plenty of parking. I've bought a variety of wines from here from cheap and cheerful to exceptional and never been disappointed. Its worth going on a wine tasting visit which is fairly priced, incredibly interesting and of course, you get the chance to sample some lovely wines. The tour of their huge cellars while listening to an overview of their history is truly fascinating. They are looking at doing some fairly major and sympathetic development in their courtyard very soon which will be a joy to experience, I'm sure. Having the opportunity to sit and quaff in such lovely surroundings will be fantastic. Remember, if a wine is stocked by a supermarket, Sheldon's won't carry it! Very highly recommended!

Traveling with my UK friends from California, I was fortunate to dine at the Cellar restaurant and…read morewine bar. We were a party of 5 and all had delicious dishes with no complaints. The beef bourguignon was tender, the veggie burgers had a perfect brioche bun and tasty burger, the spiced Moroccan lamb had rave reviews. I had something that was British...the fish pie. I was pleased with my British pie. We also had a variety of wines by the glass. I loved the choices and the prices. Great selection! To top off the evening, we had entertainment from a duo that was so talented. They even played a "Star is Born" Lady Gaga request for us. All in all, great food, wine, ambiance and entertainment. Thank you Mary.

The hubs and I came upon this place from a friend's recommendation. We already love Clevedon, and…read morewe also love wine and tapas so this place had to be a winner. It is small inside but super cute and a little quirky with a nice selection of wine and spirits. This place also has a long list of tapas as well as main courses. Although, I wouldn't actually call this classic tapas, more like small plates. We went for quite a few options as we were pretty hungry and heard they were small. Definitely order more than you normally would as yes, they are in fact, on the small side. Smaller than most tapas plates to be honest, but that just means you can order more ;-) We had: chicken skewers (tiny, tasty, a little too lemony), meatballs (my favorite, flavorful, moist, spicy sauce), Spanish omelet (nice, needed more seasoning), hard boiled eggs with cream cheese (more like a deviled egg, not enough cream cheese-sauce-stuff), hummus (good, not enough hummus for all the pita), cheddar (awesome, strong, vintage, we ordered a second), ciabatta with oil & balsamic (NOT ciabatta, a cheap baguette). Yes, we are fatties but honestly it's not as much as it sounds! It was all decent, I don't know if I would come back here for a nice dinner out, but I would definitely come back for the atmosphere and if I were feeling peckish for a bunch of things. Also, the service was great and the prices can't be beat.

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!

Great service and very knowledgeable! Beautiful wine choices so will def. be returning!!…read morehttps://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=527574150629998&set=a.240029546051128.65319.110000839054000&type=1&theater

With a name like 'Discount Supermarket', one doesn't have particularly high expectations of this…read morebargain store. It occupies a corner position along Whitchurch Road and shouts loudly about its cheap alcohol. You go in expecting White Lightning and Special Brew, yet once you're inside, it's not only fairly cheap and pretty cheerful, but they actually sell some decent Belgian and German bottled beers - plus Welsh and English brands as well. It's not what I was expecting at all, and not quite as cheap as you might think it's going to be from the outside, but since it also has higher quality goods than you'd expect that's fair enough. Apart from the copious amounts of alcohol, it has all the usual corner shop-style food stuff such as bread, milk, biscuits, chocolate, and so on - so you can stock up on those, too, to soak up some of your Belgian beers.

Nothing prepares you for the Aladdin's cave of booze that is barely contained within the four walls…read moreof Discount Supermarket. Seriously this place would have made George Best's liver cower. I'm struggling to type, it's that awe-inspiring slash terrifying. But there's one thing on sale here that you have to make an excursion for. Located, quite sensibly, close to the till, just to the right, on the second shelf you'll find it. An inauspicious place for such a herculean beverage. I am talking about Buckfast Tonic Wine. A hellish potion concocted by Devonshire monks, it is the drink that is destroying Scotland. Not Surrey or Kent but Scotland. It's getting so bad the Scottish Parliament are thinking about banning it (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/7768563/MSPs-to-vote-on-Buckfast-ban-in-Scotland.html) That's how crazy 'Ol Buckie (as it is known by legions of toothless teenage jocks) is. And Discount Supermarket is only the only place in Cardiff that I definitely know always stocks it. If you've never had it, it's like a drinking a bottle of port and twenty cans of Red Bull. Try it for £6.99 a bottle. The also stock milk and bread and so forth, but you only come here for the Buckie.