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.

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.

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!

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.

I never realised Nicolas was a chain until recently - and I also didn't realise that in some…read morelocations they even have wine bars, too. It makes sense, really, since they're wine experts. This is the only off licence I know of in the city centre, so it's handy if you're off to a BYO (bring your own) restaurant somewhere near the centre. With supermarkets seeming to take over on sales of wine (and just about every other product!), a lot of off licences seem to have been hit by the recent recession and have disappeared off the high street. Luckily, this one has survived - and still focuses on quality. They stock an excellent range of French wines including well-known regional wines such as Bordeaux and Bergundy, plus sparkling wines and Cremant, and bottles from less well known wine-producing areas of France. If wine's not your drink, they stock plenty of spirits and champagnes, too.

To celebrate 'Us' I wanted to get my lovely a bottle of wine we could both enjoy that wasn't from…read morethe supermarkets. Enter Nicolas, a French wine/champers/liquors etc. If your in anyway a wine etc connoisseur (I am but a mere student at the moment) then whatever your looking for you will probably find here. From just a few pounds to the pricely sum of £500 plus if your in real trouble with the lady. Back to my story, I went in with a vague idea of what McLovely is into and headed for the member of staff there. I explained what she liked and was escorted around the store a little bit, learning about the taste and region the wines were from. It was all very interesting truth be known. Anyway I settled on a beautiful bottle Château Bellegrave 2006, Red. It was exactly as the guy said it was and madam lovely really enjoyed. I got browny points and a decent wine for a reasonable price, I was happy.

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!

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

This place is great. Very friendly and helpful. Very knowledgeable about their products and always…read morehappy to help with any questions. Have visited on many occasions and will keep going back.

Not just a fantastic name, but a great shop too. Brewer's Droop is made for anyone who'd rather…read morehave a homebrew to own-brand and loves anything and everything about alcohol. The friendly, helpful and, surprisingly, not inebriated staff are always at hand to ask even the most basic of questions. They stock everything from beer to champagne so you're bound to find something to tickle your fancy.

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!