As one of the UK's oldest independent wine merchants, Corney & Barrow has an impressive 240-year legacy in the world of fine wines. But let's challenge a common misconception: wine merchants aren't just about expensive bottles and bulk purchases. In fact, my Elizabeth & Wine curated selection from Corney & Barrow starts at £9 (UK average is £6.50) and you have the flexibility to buy a single bottle or more, including mixed cases.
Affordable quality for every occasion:
My suggested picks mostly range between £10 and £20 per bottle, with the most luxurious choice topping out at £38. This price range is testament to how merchants like Corney & Barrow are evolving to compete with supermarket offerings, bringing quality wines at more affordable prices. The list below includes my favourite sparkling, whites, and red wines that I love showcasing in my corporate wine tastings and also enjoy at home.
Corney & Barrow: Where my wine journey began...
Corney & Barrow holds a special place in my wine journey. Post-university and my hotel management program, I landed a job in the city working with Corney & Barrow bars. This was where my love for wine truly blossomed. I still use them as a wine partner today, valuing their commitment to quality and their support of fantastic small independent producers. However, I don’t have any special commercial relationship with C&B today and I don’t receive any money from them for recommending their wines, everything in this article is my own opinion!
Delivery service
Corney & Barrow offers delivery starting from £12.50 and they do ship single bottles, so that’s something to consider if you’re looking beyond the supermarket ranges.
FIZZ
J M Labruyère, Prologue Extra Brut NV Champagne
Quite full-bodied with excellent acidity and a really distinctive bruised-apple flavour. A good mouthful of flavour, great value for Monday.
Tissot-Maire, Blanc de Noirs Brut NV Crémant du Jura
Looks very respectable. Clean and light on the nose. Good biscuity, well-balanced appeal on the palate. Great value for money!
WHITE
Leonardo Bussoletti, Colleozio Grechetto 2021 IGT Umbria
Certified organic.Rich start yet really tense finish. Truly exciting wine with admirable structure. That 'burnished metal' flavour of wines from these parts.
Elephant Hill Chardonnay 2019 Hawke's Bay
For New Zealand fans this will hit the spot. Very very light coffee-cream flavour and very slight sweetness.
Gilles Lesimple 2021 Sancerre
Smoky nose and very tense on the palate. A fantastic Sancerre, I recommend.
£23.50 from Corney & Barrow
Cramele Recaş, Fetele Fetească Regală 2021 Romania
Attractive label, not a supermarket bottle! Something quite honeyed and floral on the nose. A nice change from Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc? Great wine, crowd-pleasing.
Eradus Sauvignon Blanc 2022 Marlborough
Mineral with only the slightest hint of canned asparagus. More guts and character than most New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs.
RED
Zugober, Belezos 2020 Rioja
The oak is not overdone. Creamy and satisfying, especially at this price. Lemon and salted-lemon flavours. Fun and interesting.
£14.60 from Corney & Barrow
L'Aurage 2018 Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux
Rich and satisfying, provided you don't need your claret to be austere. Definitely late-picked and with the exuberance. Lots of fun!
Elephant Hill Syrah 2017 Hawke's Bay
Lots of fruit and supple tannins. A crowd pleaser.
Fraser Gallop Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2020 Margaret River
Very leafy nose. But classic Cabernet that's appetising and not overdone nor too sweet. Appetising and long finish!
£18.30 from Corney & Barrow
La Roncière, Idahue Estate Merlot 2018 Licantén
Lots of intense fruit - masses of flavour packed in here!
Vignamaggio, Terre di Prenzano 2020 Chianti Classico
Real pure Tuscan tang. Great purity. Light-bodied with a fair bit of acidity and light tannin but this would be great with so many dishes!
Ch Barrail du Blanc 2018 St-Émilion
Sweet and charming with guts and structure.
Cecilia Beretta, Soraie 2021 IGT Veneto
Bittersweet dried-cherry flavour.
Nicely balanced. A good buy for lovers of classic claret. Just becoming approachable but no sign of ageing.
Cramele Recaş, Pasari Merlot 2022 Romania
Smart label. Transparent cherry red. Fruit and a good crowd pleaser.
