Chilled & Tannin: Bodacious Wine with a Conscience, South Wales
"Quickly, bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever," wrote Aristophanes around 450 BC. It is a line the three founders of Chilled & Tannin - Rob, Dom and Alex - cheerfully adopt as their unofficial mission statement. From their HQ in South Wales they have spent the last few years building a wine merchant with a wink and a conscience, hand-picking bottles that put sustainability, authenticity and sheer drinkability before flashy branding. Today the shop stocks over 300 wines, a small but well-curated spirits range, gift boxes, subscriptions, and - a recent, thrilling addition - a wine of their own making.
Meet the Team: Rob, Dom & Alex
Chilled & Tannin is the brainchild of three friends who, between them, have more than six decades of graft in the hospitality and drinks trade. Their mantra is simple: "to become purveyors of great wine and good times, all with a clean conscience and a chuckle along the way." They describe themselves as standing at a "new horizon" for three gentlemen with a shared appreciation for a libation that has "brought delight and downfall to many an intrepid fool for millennia." That blend of reverence and irreverence runs through everything they do - from the tongue-in-cheek product names ("£99 Problems but Wine ain't one") to the helpful, friendly tasting notes on every listing.
The Côtes du Glamorgan: Their Own Vineyard
The most exciting chapter of the Chilled & Tannin story is also the most recent. Outside the village of Llanbethery in the Vale of Glamorgan, the team has planted its own vineyard - an outpost they have cheekily dubbed the "Côtes du Glamorgan." Friends, neighbours and a few naysayers thought they were mad planting vines in South Wales, but as the team point out, the monks of Llancarfan knew the lie of the land centuries ago.
Hensel-Bâch 2024 - The Inaugural Vintage
The proof is in the bottle. Hensel-Bâch 2024 (Rondo and Cabernet Cortis, hand-picked in Llanbethery and vinified by Mountain People Wine over in Monmouthshire) is the merchant's first-ever release from the site. Tasting notes describe vibrant red fruit, blackcurrant, leafy black olive, earthy spice and low tannins - a light, juicy, modern red made for midweek drinking. Whole-bunches were pressed and co-fermented; the juice spent time in stainless steel before moving to an old oak barrel for patient malolactic fermentation and several months under a veil of naturally developing flor. The result is vegan-friendly, low-SO₂, low-intervention and proudly Welsh. At £29.00 a bottle it is the headline of the Welsh Wine section and a manifesto for the house style: relaxed, modern, unfussy.
The Range: 300+ Bodacious Bottles
What started as a curated side-project has grown into a near-encyclopaedic cellar. The shop carries over 300 products organised into six clear collections: Red Wine, White Wine, Rose & Orange Wine, Sparkling, Natural Wine, Laid Down & Tannin, and Spirits & Liqueurs, plus a Welsh Wine department and a Subscriptions library. Wine boxes and gifts have their own dedicated section.
Welsh Wine - A Growing Category
Chilled & Tannin are outspoken champions of the Welsh wine scene. There are now around 30 vineyards across Wales producing wines from a fascinating mix of cooler-climate grape varieties - and the merchant stocks the best of them. Highlights include:
- Pinot Noir, Ancre Hill Vineyard, Wales - £33.00. Estate-grown, biodynamic and organic, with regenerative winemaking. Made by Richard Morris and Jean du Plessis, aged sur lie and finished in oak and stainless steel. Unfiltered, unfined, vegan. View product
- Gafr Goch Red Wine, Tair Gafr, Vale of Glamorgan - £20.00. A natural red from Regent grapes, whole-bunch carbonic macerated, wild ferment, matured in oak. The name comes from the Welsh folk song "Cyfri'r Geifr" - "Counting the Goats." View product
- Orange Wine, Ancre Hill Vineyard, Monmouthshire - £30.00. Predominantly Albariño given 30 - 50 days of skin contact, then finished in steel and oak, 10 months on lees. Zero added sulphur, low intervention, vegan. View product
- Rosé 2023, St Hilary Vineyard, The Vale of Glamorgan - £24.00.
- Oes Gafr Eto Rosé, Tair Gafr, Vale of Glamorgan - £20.00.
- Yr Afanc, Dell Vineyard, Monmouthshire - £30.00.
- Y Lleidr / The Thief, Dell Vineyard, Monmouthshire - £30.00.
- The Pefriog Biodynamic Fizz 2018, Ancre Hill Vineyard, Monmouthshire - £26.00.
- Montgomery Sparkling Rosé 2021 - £37.00.
- Montgomery Sparkling White - Seyval Blanc 2023 - £37.00.
- Montgomery Solaris, Powys - £23.00.
- Montgomery Rondo, Powys - £23.00.
- Velfrey Brut NV Sparkling Wine, Pembrokeshire - £36.00.
- Chardonnay, Ancre Hill Vineyard, Wales - £27.00.
- Blanc de Blancs 2018, Ancre Hill Vineyard, Monmouthshire - £54.00.
- Regent, White Castle Vineyard, Wales - £29.00.
The Welsh Wine category continues to grow, and the team has hinted that "this time next year we hope to have our own inaugural Welsh wine release" - referring to the ongoing evolution of their own Llanbethery project.
Red Wine - From Friendly to Cellar-Worthy
The Red Wine collection runs to over 100 bottles. Entry-level gluggers include the likes of Pinot Noir La Ronciere Cantoalba, Colchagua Valley, Chile at £11.00 and Sangiovese di Romagna Armigero Riserva at £11.00, while the top end stretches to Closerie de Vaudieu Châteauneuf-du-Pape at £37.00 and Old Vine Zinfandel, Gnarly Head, Lodi at £19.00. The merchant excels at charismatic mid-price Italian reds - Tenuta Coeli Aula Chianti DOCG (£13.00) and the "Il Bradese" Chianti Classico DOCG 2021 (£18.00) come from a fourth-generation Tuscan estate that gained organic certification in 2018. The full Red Wine collection spans Wales, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Romania, Chile, Argentina, Oregon, California and New Zealand.
White Wine - Old World Classics to New World Knockouts
With 98 listings, the White Wine section ranges from Mas La Chevalière Chardonnay at £14.00 to Die Kliphuis Chenin Blanc, Roodekrantz, Swartland at £30.00 and the New Zealand heavy-hitters: Landwalker Chardonnay, Te Kano, Central Otago 2023 (£32.00), Framingham Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 2024 (£19.00), and Little Beauty Limited Release Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc (£20.00). Iberian gems include Adegas Terra de Asorei Pazo Torrado Albariño (£15.00) and Azevedo Vinho Verde Loureiro Alvarinho 2024 (£13.00). Italian options are led by Cesconi Nosiola Vigneti delle Dolomiti (£23.00) and Gasper Pinot Grigio (£17.00). The full collection is available via the White Wine selection.
Rosé & Orange Wine
The 18-bottle Rosé & Orange collection is the merchant's playground for the more leftfield choices. Highlights include:
- Domaine Joël Delaunay, 'Casca Macération de Soif' Sauvignon Blanc Vin Orange, Loire - £19.00.
- Trésor du Dragon Rosé, Domaine de Dragon, Côtes de Provence - £19.00.
- Studio Rosé, Miraval, Provence - £17.00.
- Montauto Staccione Rosato, Maremma, Tuscany - £17.00.
- Organic Rosado, Famalia Castaño, Yecla DO - £12.00.
- Mas La Chevalière Rosé - £14.00.
- Méditerranée Rosé, Vin de Pays du Vaucluse, Southern Rhone - £11.00.
- Monastrell, Molinico Loco Rosado, Yecla DO - £10.00.
- Alpha Zeta R Rosato - £10.00.
Sparkling - Champagne, Prosecco and Welsh Bubbles
The Sparkling collection (view all) runs to 35 bottles, with a frankly unfair amount of Welsh fizz to choose from. The headline Champagnes are Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve NV (from £25.00) and the merchant's own exclusive import Champagne Geminae Blanc de Blancs Brut at £29.00. Prosecco fans can pick between Grande Onore Prosecco Extra Dry (£11.00) and the organic Prosecco di Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG Brut Biologico, Toffoli (£17.00). The Crémant d'Alsace 'B de Becker' Extra Brut NV (£21.00) and Savia Viva Cava Brut Reserve organic NV (£17.00) fill the middle ground. Biodynamic Pet Nats from Ancre Hill (£20.00 each) and traditional-method sparklings from Montgomery and Velfrey offer a genuinely exciting home-grown alternative to Champagne.
Natural Wine
The 30-strong Natural Wine collection leans heavily on low-intervention bottles from producers like Domaine des Carabiniers (their Côtes du Rhône Lunar Apogé at £14.00 and the no-sulphite '++ - - ' variant at £18.00), the Ancre Hill biodynamic range, Tavel Rosé Lunar Apogé (£15.00), Billo from Priorat (£22.00), OVUM Old Love Riesling from Oregon (£25.00) and the introductory 1983 Chenin Blanc, Roodekrantz, Swartland (£17.00). The team say they have "some funky bodacious bottles" lined up - appropriate given their preference for wild ferments and minimal fiddling.
Laid Down & Tannin - The Cellar Collection
For drinkers who like to plan ahead, the Laid Down & Tannin selection features wines bought on release from the château and aged in bonded storage for customers. The current nine bottles include Finca Villacreces, Ribera del Duero DO (£33.00), Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Trefethen Family Vineyards, Oak Knoll, Napa Valley (£44.00), Barbaresco DOCG CRU 'Rocche Massalupo', Tenuta Baràc, Alba (£35.00), the cult Rioja Mazuelo de la Quinta Cruz 2020, Miguel Merino (£38.00), and Château George 7 Merlot and Château George 7 Blanc, Fronsac, Bordeaux (£32.00 and £25.00 respectively).
Spirits & Liqueurs
The Spirits & Liqueurs shelf (view all) is small but considered. Standouts include Start Point Gin 70cl, Salcombe Distillery, Devon (£45.00), Rosé Sainte Marie Gin 70cl, Salcombe Distillery, Devon (£45.00), Rosemullion Distillery Spiced Rum (£32.00), Rosemullion Distillery White Rum (£33.50), Rosemullion Distillery Seafarer's Gin (£36.00), Broken Clock Lingering Vodka (£36.00), El Sueño Premium Silver Tequila (£23.00), Pisco ABA (£19.00) and Fair Café Liqueur (£24.00). Cocktail staples are covered by Giffard Triple Sec, Giffard Grenadine Syrup and Fee Brothers Orange Bitters.
Wine Boxes & Gifts
The Wine Boxes & Gifts collection is designed for one-off gifting, with the option to add a free hand-written gift note. Boxes include:
- £99 Problems but Wine ain't one - 12 Bottle Box - £99.00 (was £110.00). View product
- ULTIMATE SUSTAINABLE WINE BOX (CO2 NEUTRAL) - £100.00.
- The Welsh Wine Box - £160.00.
- CLASSICO CHRISTMAS - HALF DOZEN CASE - £100.00 (was £112.00).
- Chilled & Tannin Allstars Six Box - £65.00 (was £70.00).
- WINE'D + GRIND - Coffee and Wine Box - £33.00 (was £50.00).
- Chilled & Tannin Gift Cards - from £5.00.
- Chilled & Tannin Decanter - from £120.00.
- Chilled & Tannin Stemless Wine Glass - £35.00.
Bespoke boxes can be curated on request via info@cdgwinemerchants.com.
Wine Subscriptions
For those who like the surprises to roll in, the subscription library offers flexible, no-fuss boxes delivered monthly, bi-monthly or semi-annually. Choose your preferred size - 3, 6 or 12 bottles - and your preference of red, white or mixed, or let the team pick. Subscriptions can be cancelled or paused at any time.
- 3 Bottle Subscription - £30.00.
- 6 Bottle Subscription - £60.00.
- 12 Bottle Subscription - £120.00.
- Subscription £99 Problems but Wine ain't one! - £99.00.
- Subscription WINE'D & GRIND - £50.00.
- Subscription Vegan Vino Box - £70.00 (was £74.00).
- Subscription Chilled and Tannin Sustainable Selection - £80.00.
Subscriptions can be managed at any time via the Manage Subscriptions page.
Adopt a Vine
For those who want to put down (vine)roots in the Vale of Glamorgan without actually doing the pruning, Chilled & Tannin offer the Adopt a Vine in our Welsh Vineyard experience at £85.00. The pitch is simple: "you can make that dream a reality and savour that sweet vigneron feeling (but without the weeding and frostbite during January pruning) along with uncorking the fruits of your (our) labour." It's a brilliant gift for wine lovers and a tangible way to support the fledgling Côtes du Glamorgan. View details.
Wine with a Conscience
Chilled & Tannin have long used the hashtag #bodaciouswinewithaconscience, and their Vin de Blog manifesto shows they live up to it. Their stated aim is to be one of the nation's first carbon "net zero" vintners, and the list of action points is impressively granular:
- Carbon offsets - every order is shipped with the CO₂ offset via a carbon-neutral courier. Local customers in Cardiff get their wine delivered in a zero-emissions electric van or cargo bike.
- Ecocart at checkout - customers can opt to offset the estimated carbon footprint of growing and vinifying their wines for a few pence per bottle.
- Tree planting - every online order plants a tree via @ecologi.io; customers can also boost their offset further via the cart.
- Green search - the team have swapped Google for Ecosia, the search engine that plants trees.
- Green energy - the office and the wine chariot are powered by renewable energy.
- Sustainable packaging - re-used cardboard, biodegradable bubble wrap and eco tape, with chilli plant kits and bee bombs tucked into boxes for customers to grow.
- Veggie-forward wines - most of the range is vegetarian or vegan friendly, with the founders personally invested in the cause.
- Authentic, terroir-driven wines - grapes grown on their rightful terroirs with minimal manipulation.
Vin de Blog - News, Reviews & Vineyard Updates
The merchant's Vin de Blog is a charming, conversational mix of vineyard updates, producer interviews, wine reviews and lifestyle pieces. Recent highlights include the Pasg Hapus (Happy Easter) feature on Ancre Hill's long-awaited Blanc de Blancs and Blanc de Noirs biodynamic sparklings, an introduction to Tenuta Coeli Aula's organic Chianti, a Buds Ahoy update from the Llanbethery vineyard, and visits to events like the centenary celebration of Rioja in London. The blog also plays host to the merchant's Vin de Blog radio shows - there's even a Balearic Garden mix from DJ Rulo on SoundCloud - and a regular newsletter packed with promotions and discounts.
Shipping & Local Delivery
Chilled & Tannin ship to UK mainland addresses only via UPS, with standard delivery charged at £9.99 (1 - 3 business days from dispatch). Orders over £125.00 qualify for free delivery. Local customers in Cardiff (CF postcodes) can take advantage of a £5.00 hand-delivery service in the merchant's zero-emissions electric van, with delivery time estimated at 1 - 5 business days. Orders are dispatched on Mondays and Thursdays, with an adult signature required on receipt. Outside the UK the merchant does not currently ship, but a click-and-collect option is available at the Chilled & Tannin HQ, usually ready within 24 hours.
Visit & Contact
Chilled & Tannin are online-first, but click-and-collect is available at their South Wales HQ. A Store Locator helps customers find stockists who carry their bottles nearby. For wholesale enquiries, the team can be reached at orders@cdgwinemerchants.com; for general, gift and bespoke box enquiries, the address is info@cdgwinemerchants.com. Active on Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter), with the latest updates, behind-the-scenes vineyard photos and a cheeky weekly wine recommendation.
Verdict
Chilled & Tannin is a small merchant with a big personality and a clear point of view. The wines are hand-picked, the producers are mostly organic, biodynamic, sustainable or low-intervention, and the team goes further than most on the carbon question. Add in the heady prospect of their own Vale of Glamorgan vineyard, a curated Welsh wine category that few competitors can match, gift boxes, subscriptions, spirits and a genuinely delightful blog, and you have a wine merchant that lives up to its tongue-in-cheek promise: life really is too short for mediocre wine.