How wine loving friends created the best online wine store in Europe
Since 2015 8 Wines have been delivering wines from around the world – all over Europe. They started small, sourcing the best, hard-to-find and most delicious wines for friends and family. Word got around and they expanded. Since then, they have built up a loyal clientele all over Europe winning medals along the way with fans claiming they are the best online wine store in Europe. In fact, they’ve won Gold Medals from Wine Searcher in 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019 reflecting their success not just in seeking out the best wines, from Napa Valley Cabernets to Syrahs from the Judean Hills, from the slopes of Italy to the Champagne vineyards of France plus an extensive and unique New World selection – but also their brilliant customer service.
The Champagne lovers choice
I tried their Champagne tasting case and I have to tell you, it was sensational. Six different bottles and every single one of them was superb. I’d never normally go for extra Brut when buying Champagne. But I now know I am an extra Brut kind of girl. It’s not remotely too dry like I thought it would be. I wouldn’t normally choose pink Champagne either – but wow. Just wow.
I hadn’t heard of any of the names of the makers – but that’s not surprising, there are more than 100 Champagne houses and 190,000 vignerons producing the bubbles in Champagne. 8 Wines vinicultural explorers search far and wine to source their wines, and I’m seriously impressed. And not just that, these are affordable Champagnes – the cork might blow, but not your bank account.
I really liked how the Champagnes came from different areas of the region, the Jaquesson Cuvee 744 is from Dizy, an area long famous for its vines and from where it is said, Leonardo da Vinci sourced his supply of wine. The Rose de Meunier from Laharte Frères is from the Epernay area, made by 7th generation family Champagne producers. Champagne Agrapart, made by two brothers who farm biodynamically , was an absolute knockout.
How to pick a wine that delights
The 8 Wines website has tasting notes and details of who produces the wine or Champagne. For instance, one of the bottles in my crate was a Brut Platine Premier Cru by Nicolas Maillart whose family have been making wines since the 1500s. His Champagnes, produced from vines in the Premier and Grand Cru villages of the Montagne de Reims, were in the top ten of the top 100 champagnes in 2021. Heaven in a bottle. And if you love a particular wine from a tasting crate, you can order that make separately.
If you’re not sure what sort of wine you want – you can even give the 8 Wines team a call, chat online or email them, and they’ll help you choose – a sort of online sommelier service.
Your bottles are sent by secure post and when your package arrives, it feels a bit like Christmas.
Can 8 Wines live up to their customers claims to be best online store for wine in the UK? My conclusion is yes they can. A breath-taking selection of wines, good prices and super customer service.
