Great Grog

06/02/2025

C is for CABERNET (Fraser)

Can be either of the Cabernet Franc or Cabernet Sauvignon persuasion (with the latter being the younger sibling). Cabernet Sauvignon is a hardy grape which thrives in the warmest environments. To be honest, it’s a grape which took me a while to warm to. Robust and tannic, they can be a bit of a beast to tackle. However, my opinion was entirely changed by lovely St Julien. This is one of the villages on the left bank of Bordeaux which you can find many Cabernet dominated wines. Deep brooding blackcurrant with notes of those intensely green bell peppers you might get in a French supermarket. Stunning. Similarly, Cabernet Franc can be equally fantastic when done well. The same herbaceous flavours, but with a lifted floral and more delicate structure. Try our new Chinon from the Loire to see what I’m talking about!

Featured:
St Julien (Cab sauvignon)
Patria Nueva (cab sauvignon)
Chinon (Cab Franc)
Domaine Mas Barrau (Cab Franc)

04/02/2025

Friday 7th February, 5pm, Pleasance shop
This February we’ll be focussing on some of the lovely new wines we’ve got in for 2025 and JP is kicking off with a cracker. A Sauvignon/Semillon from the Entre Deux Mers AOC blend packed full of citrussy, floral notes and a silky texture. Just buy a bottle and taste along. Or even better, pop in and This February we’ll be focussing on some of the lovely new wines we’ve got in for 2025 and JP is kicking off with a cracker. A Sauvignon/Semillon from the Entre Deux Mers AOC blend packed full of citrussy, floral notes and a silky texture. Just buy a bottle and taste along. Or even better, pop in and it with him

30/01/2025

🍷 Raise your glass to an evening of exquisite wines at The Lyceum! 🍷

Join us for an Evening of Italian Wine, hosted by the experts at Great Grog. You'll sample a selection of handpicked Italian wines, guided by their passionate team in a fun, relaxed setting.

🌟Whether you're a seasoned wine lover or just getting started, this is the perfect opportunity to sip, savour and learn—all while soaking in the elegant surroundings of The Lyceum.

Don’t miss out—gather your friends and book your spot now!


📅Fri 21 Feb, 7pm
🎟️For more information: https://bit.ly/4jPyoej

30/01/2025

B is for BARREL (Clare)

Barrels have been used to age and transport wine for centuries and can play a key part in the final flavour profile of a wine; they are one of the oldest tools in a wine makers’ armoury. Made predominantly from French or American oak they not only allow incredibly slow but constant contact with oxygen giving the wine time to harmonise but they also add tannins, creating extra structure to a wine, and impart flavour adding more complexity. These flavours depend on many factors including the type of oak, level of toasting and how many times the barrel has been used and range from toast, hay, tar, vanilla, coconut, baking spice and many things in between.

Some Grog fave oaky wines are

Patria Nueva Chardonnay
Rioja Vega Reserva
Terre di Valter Sciapo Fiano
Esporao Reserva Tinto

28/01/2025

Instagram Live Tasting at our Pleasance Shop
Friday 31st January, 5pm
Ever heard of the Merseguera grape? Neither had we until we tried this! With grapefruit, fennel, mint and peach it is a wonderfully expressive variety. Just buy a bottle and taste along, or even better, pop in to our Pleasance shop and try it with Simon.

23/01/2025

A is for ACIDITY (Heather)

Crucial to the balance of a wine, acidity is one of the 4 main factors considered in wine production alongside alcohol, tannin and sweetness. A wine with high acid will generally taste fresh and crisp, making your mouth water. Where at the other end, a low acid wine will be softer and rounder in style. Likewise, with too much acidity, a wine is tart and face puckering or with too little, flabby and unbalanced leaving you wishing for a little zing.

Grog fav high acid wines
Les Oliviers Grenache
Catherine Marshall Riesling
Gobillard Blanc de Blancs

21/01/2025

Instagram Live Tasting at our Pleasance shop
Friday 24th January, 5pm
Clare is at the shop this Friday and in readiness for Burns night she’ll be opening a bottle of the delightfully peppery Gandarada from the Dao region in Portugal. Just buy a bottle and taste along, or even better, pop in to try it with her.

14/01/2025

Instagram Live Tasting at our Pleasance shop
Friday 17th January, 5pm
This week it’s JP’s turn and he’ll be chatting about a fabulous grape that is only really cultivated in NW Spain. High in glycerol, the Albillo grape thrives in the high altitude of Ribera del Duero, producing zingy wines with a lovely rich mouthfeel. Just buy a bottle and taste along, or even better, pop it to try it with him.

07/01/2025

Instagram Live Tasting at our Pleasance Shop
Friday 10th January, 5pm
Looking to try something new in 2025? All month we’ll be tasting and chatting about some of our favourite, more off beat grapes. Fraser is kicking off the month with the excellent and very underrated Carmenere. Just buy a bottle and taste along, or even better swing by the shop to try it with him

29/12/2024

Grande bouteille to see in 2025 from the superlative available

25/12/2024

17/12/2024

Pouilly Fume Dom

Loire , Lean pure with chalky undertones and pristine acidity.
Terras Vitas sustainable viticulture
Fabulous stuff.
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13/12/2024

Segurel
Deep, dark fruit, cracked black pepper, exotic spice and vanilla. As sexy as red wine gets. £15.60

12/12/2024

Have you got your dessert wine sorted for the festive season? Honestly a small glass of this with your dessert is an absolute treat. 💯
We love this one. Modelled by Barney and Fraser.

RUTHERGLEN. Ripe and luscious barrel aged and fortified dessert wine. Expect fresh raisin, luscious fig and spice with floral notes.17.5%
£17.45 only 10 bottles left in the warehouse and a few in the shops.

11/12/2024

Delivery of our new biodynamic Garnacha to the famous Davidson’s Mains dinosaur today. Get your Xmas orders in!

11/12/2024

Juliet Victor Szamorodni Sweet Tokaji 2017.
Luscious and complex with aromas of flavours of mint, chamomile, spiced honey, apricot and creamy oak.
This wine is from a small boutique producer with 25 hectares of vines. £20.

09/12/2024

Looking for your contribution to Christmas Day or celebration? look no further. Magnum sized bottles
Limited stocks of these big bottles.

06/12/2024

Simon & Richard will be doing a LIVE fizz tasting from these loevlies tonight at 6.30pm from the tasting