Winedirect.com.au

Selling old stock – A friend sent me a dozen whites. Not knowing any better, she selected bottles from between 4 seasons back (2021) to 2 seasons back (2023). I think the rest of us know that white wines degrade with time. More than 1 season old they often become tainted. I poured 10 down the sink. I could smell they were bad but I tried to keep an open mind and took a few sips of each. Only a couple from 2 seasons back (2023) were drinkable. Wine Direct should not be selling old white wines. I know the website specifies the year, but people buying as a gift may not know any better. Selling awful stuff hoping that no one will notice.

Unexpectedly fantastic – It all started when my neighbour shouted a carton of mixed shiraz for mowing his back paddock on a geriatric John Deere that has more bits missing than present. It was totally unexpected. I looked up the list prices of the wines (Pasha, Martins and Red Deer) and was aghast that around $800 worth of wine would be a thanks for three hours mowing. He said he got a deal. Did he ever!

The neighbour on the other side found that deal, I bought another one, the other-side neighbour bought another type of case. Neighbourhood get-togethers are finally assured of something decent to drink and we no longer have to grin through gritted teeth at the $6 cheapo.

The icing on the cake. The last case I bought was on a Black Friday Special. I didn't apply the discount code because I tend to ignore advertising. So the WD bloke emailed saying he'd credited almost $80 to the order because I missed the discount.

Almost as a second fiddle to the service, the wine was / is very very good. A bit more expensive than the usual online offerings but (in my view) still moderately priced.

Of course you can go as expensive as you like; there are some eye-popping vintages on offer.

For most mortals I think this is the best online wine service around; believe me I've tried quite a few.

No End to Email Promo's – Also call themselves Wine Direct Tasting Panel Brought from these guys over the Covid catastrophe in Victoria, and the wine turned up in a reasonable period. The websites OK ; they go over the top with third rate reviews such from as Sam Kim but you can deal with that. My major beef with these guys is; a)they've got a very limited range, most wines aren't worth buying in my view.

b) they won't let up on the volume of promotional emails. Mostly they offer packs or 25-30% off on select your own doz; that would be great if they had some decent wines to buy...

After some pretty wild buying over the last 3 years I'm down to pretty much dealing with professional firms with a good range and price; Nicks mostly but also Nilumbik Cellars, myCellars and a new one that's popped up Regions Cellars.

Happy Drinking (photo of my dog who enjoys sitting with me whilst I enjoy a good wine )