Frequently Asked Questions
Why Wines Direct
What makes Wines Direct different from a supermarket or off-licence?
We import directly from independent, family-run producers — no distributors, no middlemen. That means wines you genuinely won't find on a supermarket shelf, sourced from the people who actually make them. We've been doing this since 1991, and every wine in our range is one we've tasted and chosen ourselves. You're buying our curation, not a buyer's category fill.
Why does buying direct from the importer matter?
When wine passes through a distributor or wholesaler before reaching a retailer, each step adds margin. Buying direct means the price you pay reflects the winemaker's work, not a chain of markups. It also means we have a direct relationship with every producer — we know how the wine is made, when it was bottled, and how it should be stored and served.
How do you find your producers?
Mostly through travel — visiting regions, tasting with growers, and following referrals from winemakers we already trust. We look for family estates with a genuine connection to their terroir, low yields, and minimal intervention in the cellar. We currently work with independent producers across 13 countries, many of whom we've imported exclusively for over a decade.
Choosing Wine
How do I choose a wine I'll actually enjoy?
Start with what you already like. If you enjoy lighter, fruit-forward reds, explore Pinot Noir from Burgundy or New Zealand. If you like crisp, dry whites, try Muscadet, Chablis, or Albaríno. If you're not sure, call or email us — our team tastes everything in the range and can recommend something specific based on what you tell us you normally drink. We find that's more reliable than any algorithm.
What does 'dry' wine actually mean?
A dry wine has had almost all its natural grape sugar fermented into alcohol, leaving little residual sweetness. Most table wines — red, white, and rosé — are dry. A wine can taste fruity without being sweet; fruit aromas and sweetness are different things. Medium-dry and off-dry wines retain a little more sugar and are noticeably softer on the palate. Sweet wines (dessert wines, late-harvest styles) have significantly higher residual sugar.
What wine should I bring to a dinner party?
A safe and genuinely crowd-pleasing choice is a wine that shows well on its own but also works with food — a red Burgundy (Pinot Noir), a white Burgundy (Chardonnay), or a quality Champagne or Crémant. If you know what's being cooked, we can be more specific. A rich lamb dish calls for something different to a seafood starter. Our team is happy to advise over the phone if you tell us the occasion and your budget.
What's the difference between Old World and New World wine?
Old World refers to wine regions with centuries of winemaking tradition — France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Portugal, and so on. New World refers to regions where viticulture arrived later — Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina, South Africa, and the USA. Old World wines tend to emphasise terroir (the character of the place) and are often more restrained in fruit and higher in acidity. New World wines tend to be more fruit-forward and approachable young. The distinction is less absolute than it used to be — many New World producers now work in an Old World style, and vice versa.
How should I store wine at home?
Keep wine away from light, heat, and vibration. Ideal storage is around 12–14°C with consistent temperature and moderate humidity. Bottles with corks should be stored on their side to keep the cork moist. If you don't have a cellar or wine fridge, a cool, dark cupboard away from radiators works fine for short-term storage (weeks to a few months). For wines you intend to age for a year or more, a dedicated wine fridge is worth the investment.
Does a higher price always mean better wine?
Not always, but price does reflect something real at the extremes. Below a certain price point (roughly €10–12 in Ireland after tax and duty), there isn't enough margin left for quality fruit. Above that level, price reflects terroir, yield, winemaking care, and brand reputation — not all of which translate directly into a better drinking experience. Some of our best-value wines are in the €15–25 range. Above €50, you're often paying for scarcity and reputation as much as quality. The best wine is usually the one that suits the occasion and the food.
Our Subscriptions
How is the Explorers Club different from other wine subscriptions?
Most wine subscriptions are buying clubs — large volumes at negotiated prices, skewed towards well-known names. Ours is a curation service run by people who import directly. Every wine in an Explorers Club box is something we chose to bring into Ireland because we believed in it — not because a supplier offered us a deal. Members regularly discover producers they go on to order from directly. That's the point.
What kind of wines are typically in the Explorers Club?
Each box is different, but the through-line is independent producers making wines with a genuine sense of place. You might get a natural Gamay from Beaujolais one month and a biodynamic Riesling from Alsace the next. We lean towards the Loire Valley, Burgundy, southern Italy, and Iberia — regions where small, family estates still dominate. We avoid heavily branded, mass-produced wines. Members who want more predictable, familiar styles tend to prefer our Rewind standing order service instead.
Delivery
Where do you deliver?
We deliver across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
How much does delivery cost?
Delivery is free on all orders over €90. For orders under €90, a flat delivery charge of €9.50 applies. The same rate applies to both ROI and Northern Ireland. Full delivery & returns policy →
How long does delivery take?
Most orders arrive within 2–3 working days. We dispatch Monday to Friday only, so weekend orders are processed on the next working day.
What time do I need to order by for same-day dispatch?
Orders placed before 12pm on a working day are dispatched the same day.
Do I need to be home to receive my delivery?
No. Our couriers (An Post and DPD) will leave your order in a safe place if you are not home. If there is an issue with delivery, An Post or DPD will contact you directly to arrange an alternative — you can also arrange redelivery or collection directly with them.
Will I get a tracking number?
Yes. You will receive a tracking link by email once your order has been dispatched.
Can I send an order to a different address?
Yes. You can ship to any address in ROI or Northern Ireland. You can also send gifts to multiple addresses from a single order — just add each delivery address at checkout.
Gifts
Do you offer gift packaging?
Yes. Our pre-made gift sets come with packaging included, starting from €25. If you are buying individual bottles and would like gift packaging, this can be added for an additional charge.
Can I include a personal message?
Yes. We add cards to orders at no extra charge. Simply add your message at checkout or contact us directly. Not sure what to choose? Try our Gift Picker Quiz.
Do you sell gift cards?
Yes — gift cards are available in the following denominations: €20, €50, €70, €100, €150, €200, and €500. Both physical and digital gift cards are available.
Do you cater for corporate gifting?
Yes. We handle corporate orders of all sizes with no minimum order quantity. We can ship to multiple addresses from one order, making it easy to send gifts across a whole team or client list. Contact us at sales@winesdirect.ie to discuss your requirements.
Do you host wine tasting events?
Yes. We run monthly ticketed tasting evenings in both our Mullingar and Athlone stores. We also offer private tastings in-store for groups of 10 or more, and bespoke corporate team-building events. Tickets and bookings are available online, in store, by phone, or by email. Find your nearest store →
About Wines Direct
Who are Wines Direct?
Wines Direct is an Irish family business founded in 1991 by Paddy and Siobán Keogh. Their sons Gareth and Gavin now run the business, continuing over 30 years of sourcing wine directly from independent producers around the world.
Where are you based?
We have two stores — our main store and warehouse in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, and a second store in Athlone. Our online orders ship from Mullingar.
Do you import wine directly from the winemakers?
Yes. We buy directly from independent, family-run producers across 13 countries — no distributors, no middlemen. This is how we can offer wines you won't find in the supermarkets, at prices that reflect the winemaker's work rather than a margin stack.
How do I contact you?
Phone: 0818 579 579 (Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm). Email: sales@winesdirect.ie. You can also visit us in store in Mullingar or Athlone.
Orders & Returns
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, American Express, Shop Pay, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
Is there a minimum order?
No. You can order as little as one bottle.
Can I cancel or change my order?
Yes, provided your order has not yet been dispatched. Please contact us as soon as possible by phone or email. A €15 restocking fee applies to all cancelled orders, in line with EU consumer regulations on perishable goods.
What if my wine arrives damaged?
We will replace any damaged order. All our deliveries are tracked, so please contact us as soon as you notice any damage and we will sort it out.
What if my order doesn't arrive?
All orders are tracked. If your order has not arrived within the expected timeframe, contact us and we will either resend or refund in full.
Can I return wine I've changed my mind about?
Yes. Under EU consumer law, you have 14 days to request a return. A €15 restocking fee applies. Wine must be in its original condition and unopened.
Explorers Club
What is the Explorers Club?
The Explorers Club is a monthly wine subscription delivering curated selections from small, independent producers around the world. Each month our team selects wines you may never have discovered on your own — direct from the families who make them.
What are the Explorers Club subscription tiers?
Wine Curious — 3 bottles per month, €65. Wine Adventurous — 6 bottles per month, €99. Wine Confident — 6 bottles per month, €120. Wine Obsessed — 6 bottles per month, €160. All tiers are available as red, white, or mixed.
Can I choose which wines I receive in the Explorers Club?
The Explorers Club is curated by our team — the discovery is part of the experience. If you'd prefer to choose your own wines on a standing order, our Rewind service is made for you.
Is delivery included with the Explorers Club?
Yes. Free delivery is included on all Explorers Club subscriptions.
Can I pause, skip, or cancel my Explorers Club subscription?
Yes. After a minimum of 2 charges, you can pause, skip a month, or cancel at any time. Just log in to your account, call us on 0818 579 579, or email sales@winesdirect.ie.
Rewind — Standing Orders
What is Rewind?
Rewind is our standing order service. Choose any wine from our range, in any quantity, and we'll deliver it automatically every 30, 60, or 90 days. No surprises — just your favourite wines, arriving exactly when you need them.
Is delivery included with Rewind?
Yes. Free delivery is included on all Rewind orders.
Can I change or cancel my Rewind order?
Yes. After a minimum of 2 charges, you can change the wine, adjust the quantity, change the frequency, or cancel at any time. Log in to your account, call us on 0818 579 579, or email sales@winesdirect.ie. The €15 restocking fee applies to any order cancelled after dispatch.
Wine & Food
What wine goes with fish and seafood?
Crisp, high-acid whites work best — Muscadet, Chablis, Albaríno, Vermentino, and Picpoul de Pinet are all excellent with fish. The rule of thumb is to match the weight of the wine to the weight of the dish: a delicate sole calls for something lighter than a robust monkfish or salmon. Champagne and dry sparkling wines are also consistently good with seafood. Browse our white wines → | Sparkling wines →
What wine goes with red meat?
Full-bodied reds with firm tannins — Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah/Shiraz, Malbec, and Nebbiolo. The tannins in these wines interact with the protein in red meat in a way that softens both the wine and the dish. A classic Bordeaux with a well-aged steak is one of the great food and wine pairings for a reason. Browse our red wines →
What wine goes with chicken or pork?
Both work well with medium-bodied reds (Pinot Noir, Grenache, lighter Merlot) and full-bodied whites (white Burgundy, Viognier, white Rioja). The preparation matters more than the protein — a roast chicken with cream sauce calls for something different to a spicy jerk chicken. When in doubt, Pinot Noir is almost always the right answer for poultry. Browse reds → | Browse whites →
What wine goes with cheese?
It depends on the cheese. Fresh goat's cheese works beautifully with Sancerre or Sauvignon Blanc — both from the Loire, which is no coincidence. Hard aged cheeses like Comté or aged Cheddar pair well with fuller whites or lighter reds. Strong blue cheese like Roquefort is one of the few cheeses that genuinely works with a sweet wine — Sauternes is the classic match. Avoid tannic reds with most soft cheeses; the combination can taste metallic.
What wine goes with spicy food?
Avoid high-alcohol, tannic reds — they amplify heat. Off-dry whites (Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris) work well because a little residual sweetness cools spice. Light, fruity reds with low tannin (Beaujolais, Lambrusco) are also reliable. Champagne is an underrated match for spicy Asian food — the bubbles and acidity cut through the heat effectively. Browse sparkling wines →
What wine pairs with vegetarian food?
Vegetarian food covers enormous range, so there's no single answer. Earthy, medium-bodied reds like Pinot Noir or Sangiovese work well with umami-rich mushroom, lentil, or tomato-based dishes. Crisp whites suit lighter vegetable dishes and salads. Rosé is one of the most food-friendly styles overall — good with almost anything that doesn't involve red meat or oily fish. Browse our rosé wines →
Wine Terms Explained
What is terroir?
Terroir (pronounced tair-WAHR) is a French term with no direct English equivalent. It refers to the combined influence of soil, climate, topography, and local microclimate on how a wine tastes. The same grape variety planted in two different places will produce noticeably different wines — the difference is terroir. It's why a Pinot Noir from Burgundy tastes different to one from New Zealand, even when made in a similar style.
What are tannins?
Tannins are naturally occurring compounds found in grape skins, seeds, and stems (and in oak barrels). They create the drying, grippy sensation you feel on the gums and inside of the cheeks when drinking a red wine. Tannins soften with age, which is why many full-bodied reds benefit from cellaring. They also explain why red wines generally pair better with red meat — the protein in the meat binds with the tannins and makes both taste rounder.
What does 'reserve' mean on a wine label?
It depends entirely on the country and producer. In some regions (Rioja, for example) 'Reserva' and 'Gran Reserva' have legal definitions tied to minimum ageing requirements. In others, 'Reserve' has no legal meaning and is used freely by producers to suggest higher quality. It's not a reliable quality indicator on its own — the producer's reputation matters more.
What is natural wine?
Natural wine is made with minimal intervention — typically organic or biodynamic grapes, wild yeast fermentation, little or no added sulphites, and no fining or filtration. There's no legal definition, so it's a loose term. Natural wines can range from brilliant to funky to outright faulty. We stock a number of natural wines we've tasted and believe in — if you're curious, our team can point you to approachable starting points.
What is biodynamic wine?
Biodynamic farming treats the vineyard as a self-contained ecosystem and follows a calendar tied to lunar and cosmic cycles. It goes further than organic farming in prescribing when to plant, prune, harvest, and bottle. Many of the world's most respected producers — in Burgundy, Alsace, and beyond — farm biodynamically. The results are often exceptional. Explore our wine education series →
Should I decant wine?
Two reasons to decant: to separate old wine from its sediment, and to open up a young wine by exposing it to oxygen. Old reds (10+ years) with sediment benefit from careful, slow decanting. Young, tannic reds (Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Nebbiolo) can open up significantly with 30–60 minutes in a decanter. Most whites don't need decanting, though a few full-bodied whites improve with brief aeration.
What's the difference between Champagne and Prosecco?
Method and origin. Champagne is made in the Champagne region of France using the Traditional Method — a second fermentation happens inside the bottle, creating very fine, persistent bubbles and complex flavours. Prosecco is made in northeast Italy using the Tank Method, where the second fermentation happens in large tanks. The result is a lighter, fresher, fruitier style. Champagne is almost always more complex and age-worthy; Prosecco is more approachable and easy-drinking.
Serving & Storage
What temperature should I serve red wine?
Most red wines are best served slightly cooler than room temperature — around 16–18°C. 'Room temperature' is an old rule from before central heating and can leave wine tasting flat and alcoholic. If your room is warm, 15–20 minutes in the fridge before serving will help. Lighter reds like Beaujolais and young Pinot Noir can be served slightly cooler, around 12–14°C. Browse our red wines →
What temperature should I serve white wine?
Most whites are best at 8–12°C — colder than a standard fridge (typically 4°C). Take your white wine out of the fridge 10–15 minutes before serving so it warms slightly; overly cold wine loses its aroma. Fuller-bodied whites (white Burgundy, white Rioja, Viognier) are better served at the warmer end of the range to let their complexity show. Browse our white wines →
How long does an opened bottle of wine last?
Most red and white wines are best within 2–3 days of opening. Use a wine stopper and keep whites in the fridge. Lighter, more delicate wines (Pinot Noir, Riesling) tend to fade faster than fuller-bodied styles. Fortified wines like Port or Sherry last considerably longer — several weeks to months depending on the style. Sparkling wines lose their bubbles quickly and are best finished the same day.
Still have a question? We're here to help. 0818 579 579 | sales@winesdirect.ie