“Have a question? Please refer to our FAQs.
If you cannot find the information you are looking for, our team would be pleased to assist. Please contact us via our contact page, email us at orders@sommelierschoice.co.uk or call us on 01689 855 034.
There are several ways to explore and select wines from our collection:
If you would prefer personalised guidance, our team would be delighted to assist with recommendations tailored to your preferences and occasion.
No. You may place an order as a guest without creating an account.
Creating an account allows you to access your order history and complete future purchases more easily, but it is not required to place an order.
At present, online private customer orders must be placed directly through our website, as we do not accept card payments over the telephone.
If you experience any difficulties while placing your order online, please contact our team by email at orders@sommelierschoice.co.uk or call us on 01689 855 034, and we will do our best to assist.
Yes. You may include a gift note with your order by adding your message within the Order Notes section at checkout, and our team will include it with your delivery as requested.
If you experience any issues applying a discount code or encounter any discrepancies during checkout, please contact our team by email at orders@sommelierschoice.co.uk or call us on 01689 855 034.
We will do our best to resolve the matter as promptly as possible.
If you experience any difficulties while placing an order online, please contact our team by email at orders@sommelierschoice.co.uk or call us on 01689 855 034.
We will be pleased to assist and, where possible, can help facilitate your order directly.
If your order has not yet been processed, we may be able to amend your order details depending on the nature of the request.
Please contact our team as soon as possible by email at orders@sommelierschoice.co.uk or call us on 01689 855 034, and we will do our best to assist.
If you need to cancel your order, please contact our team as soon as possible by email at orders@sommelierschoice.co.uk or call us on 01689 855 034.
If your order has not yet been processed, we will arrange a cancellation and issue a full refund to your original method of payment.
If your order has already been processed, our team will be happy to provide further guidance regarding the available options.
To request a VAT invoice, please contact our team by email at orders@sommelierschoice.co.uk.
We will arrange for a VAT invoice to be sent to you via email.
We currently deliver across England, Wales and Scotland.
For deliveries to Northern Ireland or international destinations, please contact our team at orders@sommelierschoice.co.uk for further assistance.
Delivery charges are calculated based on the size of your order:
Complimentary delivery on orders of 12 bottles or more
£7.95 delivery for orders containing 6–11 bottles
£12.95 delivery for orders containing 1–5 bottles
Delivery charges are displayed at checkout prior to payment.
Delivery is typically completed within 5 working days of order confirmation. Deliveries are made Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays.
If your order is expected to take longer, our team will contact you with an updated estimated delivery timeframe.
At present, we do not offer a guaranteed next day delivery service.
If you require wines for a specific date or occasion, please contact our team before placing your order and we will do our best to assist where possible.
If you require delivery for a particular date or occasion, please contact our team before placing your order or include your request within the Order Notes section at checkout.
While we cannot guarantee specific delivery dates, we will do our best to accommodate requests where possible.
If you would like your order delivered at a later date, please contact our team before placing your order or include your request within the Order Notes section at checkout.
We will do our best to accommodate requested delivery dates where possible.
Yes. You may send wine directly to the recipient’s delivery address during checkout.
You may also include a personalised gift note within the Order Notes section, and our team will include it with your order as requested.
Yes. By placing an order with Sommelier’s Choice, you confirm that you are aged 18 or over.
Deliveries containing alcohol must be received by a person aged 18 or over. Our delivery partner may request proof of age upon delivery where appropriate.
All wines are packaged carefully using protective transit packaging designed to help ensure bottles arrive safely and in excellent condition.
Our team takes great care when preparing every order for dispatch.
For deliveries within mainland UK, orders are delivered by London City Bond.
At present, our delivery partner does not provide a live tracking service.
Once your order has been dispatched, we will send you an email confirming the delivery day. Please check your spam or junk folder if you have not received this notification, as emails may occasionally be redirected.
If there are any delays or delivery issues, our team will do their best to contact you proactively.
Should you require any assistance regarding your order, please contact us at orders@sommelierschoice.co.uk or call us on 01689 855 034, and our team will be pleased to assist.
When placing your order, please provide safe place instructions within the Order Notes section at checkout in case you are unavailable at the time of delivery. Any safe place provided should be sheltered from the elements and concealed from public view.
Our delivery partner will not leave an order in an unsafe location, and a re-delivery charge may apply if delivery cannot be completed.
If you request for your order to be left in a designated safe place or with a neighbour, responsibility for the order passes to you once delivery has been completed in accordance with your instructions. Sommelier’s Choice cannot accept responsibility for loss, theft or damage occurring after delivery has been completed as instructed.
If you do not have a suitable safe place, please indicate “No safe place” when placing your order. In these circumstances, if delivery cannot be completed, a re-delivery charge may apply.
To help facilitate delivery, we recommend providing a mobile telephone number so the driver may contact you if required.
If your order has not arrived within the expected delivery timeframe, please contact our team as soon as possible by email at orders@sommelierschoice.co.uk.
We will investigate the matter with our delivery partner and provide you with an update as promptly as possible.
We take great care to ensure all orders are packaged securely and arrive in excellent condition. However, if any items are damaged during transit, please contact our team as soon as possible by email at orders@sommelierschoice.co.uk.
To help us investigate the issue promptly, we may request photographs of the damaged items and packaging. Once reviewed, our team will advise on the appropriate resolution.
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer in-person collections, as our wines are professionally stored off-site and are not held at our premises.
For international delivery enquiries, please contact our team at orders@sommelierschoice.co.uk.
Available delivery destinations, shipping costs and delivery timeframes may vary depending on the destination and order requirements.
While we make every effort to maintain accurate stock availability, occasional discrepancies may arise.
If a wine you have ordered is unavailable, our team will contact you promptly to discuss the available options, which may include a suitable alternative, a revised delivery timeframe or a refund where appropriate.
A vintage refers to the year in which the grapes used to produce the wine were harvested.
Vintage conditions, including climate and weather patterns throughout the growing season, can influence the style, structure and character of a wine.
As a result, wines from the same producer may vary between vintages.
Yes. Our team would be delighted to assist with food and wine pairing recommendations.
Whether you are planning a dinner, selecting wines for a special occasion or exploring a particular cuisine, we are happy to provide tailored guidance.
In certain cases, yes. Through our network of producers, importers and trusted suppliers, we may be able to source wines not currently listed online.
Please contact our team with your enquiry and we will do our best to assist.
Wine is best stored in a cool, dark and stable environment away from direct sunlight, heat and significant temperature fluctuations.
Where possible, bottles sealed with natural cork should be stored horizontally to help maintain cork moisture and seal integrity.
For fine wines intended for long-term ageing, professional temperature-controlled storage is recommended.
Serving temperature can have a significant impact on how a wine shows aromatically and structurally.
As a general guide:
Sparkling wines: well chilled
White and rosé wines: lightly chilled
Light-bodied reds: slightly cool
Full-bodied reds: cool room temperature
Serving wines overly cold or too warm may suppress aromas and affect balance.
Once opened, most wines are best enjoyed within a few days, though this can vary depending on the wine style and storage conditions.
Re-sealing the bottle and storing it in a cool environment, ideally refrigerated, can help preserve freshness for longer.
Sparkling wines generally lose their effervescence more quickly once opened.
No. While some wines are produced with ageing potential, many wines are intended to be enjoyed while youthful and expressive.
The ability of a wine to age depends on factors including grape variety, vintage, structure, acidity, tannin and winemaking style.
Where relevant, we aim to provide guidance on wines with notable ageing potential.
Decanting allows a wine to interact with oxygen before serving, which can help soften tannins and allow aromas and flavours to open more fully.
Older wines may also be decanted carefully to separate the wine from any natural sediment that has formed over time.
Sediment is a natural occurrence in many wines, particularly older red wines and minimally filtered wines.
It forms as pigments, tannins and other naturally occurring compounds gradually fall out of suspension over time.
Sediment is harmless, though many customers choose to decant wines before serving to separate the clear wine from the deposit.
Sediment and tartrate crystals are naturally occurring by-products that may develop in certain wines over time.
Tartrate crystals, sometimes referred to as “wine diamonds”, are harmless and form naturally from tartaric acid present in the wine.
Neither sediment nor crystals are considered faults.
The term “corked” is commonly used to describe a faulty wine, although it can refer to different issues.
Most commonly, a corked wine is affected by cork taint, caused by a compound known as TCA (trichloroanisole). This can mute the wine’s fruit character and introduce damp, musty or cardboard-like aromas.
Faults can also arise through oxidation, which may occur if the cork fails to maintain an effective seal. Oxidised wines can appear dull and may develop vinegar-like or stale characteristics.
If you believe a wine may be faulty or not performing as expected, please contact our team by email at orders@sommelierschoice.co.uk, and we will be pleased to assist further.
Sulphites are naturally occurring compounds produced during fermentation and are also commonly used in small quantities during winemaking to help preserve freshness and stability.
Most wines contain sulphites to some degree. Wines labelled as containing lower sulphite levels may use reduced additions during production.
When referring to wines as suitable for vegetarians or vegans, we are specifically referring to the fining agents used during the winemaking process prior to bottling.
Fining is a traditional clarification process used to remove naturally occurring particles and proteins that may otherwise leave the wine hazy. The fining agent binds to these particles before settling at the bottom of the vessel, allowing the clear wine above to be drawn off.
Some traditional fining agents are animal-derived, including egg whites, milk proteins or isinglass. Wines described as vegan are produced without the use of animal-derived fining agents, while vegetarian wines may still include certain non-meat animal products within the fining process.
Organic wine refers to wine produced from grapes grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fertilisers in the vineyard.
Many organic producers also take a minimal intervention approach in the winery, limiting the use of additives and often working with lower sulphite levels where possible.
While some producers choose to obtain formal organic certification, others follow the same principles without certification. Where relevant, we aim to highlight this within our producer and wine descriptions.
Biodynamic wine is produced according to holistic agricultural principles that view the vineyard as a self-sustaining ecosystem.
Biodynamic viticulture often incorporates organic farming practices alongside specific vineyard preparations and seasonal farming methods.
Some producers choose to obtain biodynamic certification, while others follow biodynamic principles without formal certification.
Sustainability in winemaking and viticulture can encompass a wide range of environmental, agricultural and production practices.
When we describe a wine or producer as sustainable, this reflects our assessment of the producer’s approach to vineyard management, winemaking practices and broader environmental philosophy. This may include areas such as responsible farming, biodiversity, reduced chemical use, water management and long-term stewardship of the land.
Yes. Our Fine & Rare wines are professionally stored under temperature-controlled conditions.
Professional storage helps preserve provenance and maintain optimal bottle condition over time.
We take provenance and authenticity extremely seriously.
Our Fine & Rare wines are sourced either directly from producers or through carefully selected and trusted suppliers, private collections and professional storage networks.
Mature wines may naturally show signs of age, including scuffed labels, stained capsules or slight bottle variation.
These cosmetic imperfections are common with older vintages and do not necessarily affect the quality or condition of the wine itself.
Where significant cosmetic condition issues are present, we aim to reflect this within the product description where appropriate.
Not always. Availability of original wooden cases may vary depending on the wine, producer, vintage and bottle quantity.
Where wines are available in their original cases, this will typically be stated within the product listing.
Yes. If you wish to return your order, please contact our team within 14 days of receiving your wines by email at orders@sommelierschoice.co.uk to arrange the return and advise on the next steps.
Returned wines must be unopened, in their original condition, with labels intact and seals unbroken.
Please note that for returns involving non-faulty wines, collection charges may apply.
If you believe a wine may be faulty, corked or otherwise not performing as expected, please contact our team by email at orders@sommelierschoice.co.uk.
We may request additional information, including photographs or details regarding the condition of the bottle, before advising on the appropriate resolution.
If you believe you have received an incorrect item, please contact our team as soon as possible by email at orders@sommelierschoice.co.uk.
We will investigate the matter promptly and work to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
We may offer replacements or exchanges for wines that are confirmed as damaged or faulty, subject to availability.
Please contact our team for further assistance regarding any exchange requests.
Once a returned order has been received and inspected, approved refunds are typically processed within 7 working days to the original method of payment.
Processing times may vary depending on your payment provider or banking institution.
Approved refunds are typically processed within 7 working days following receipt and inspection of the returned wines.
Please note that additional processing times may apply depending on your card provider or bank.
If a scheduled collection cannot be completed because the wines are unavailable for collection, a failed collection charge imposed by our logistics partner may apply.
Where applicable, our team will contact you to arrange a revised collection date and provide further details.
Where wines were purchased and delivered as a gift, any approved refund or credit will be handled in accordance with the original order and payment details.
Please contact our team for assistance regarding gift order returns.
