Ballantynes Wines & Spirits

Ballantynes boasts that it has over 600 wines in stock, and I’m sure it’s true! For wine lovers this shop must be absolute heaven! The wine is classified into regions, Italian wines having three large sections for those from the north, south, and central areas (which gives you some idea how extensive the selection is)!
The shop also stocks spirits and mixers for cocktails (more to my liking), as well as a good selection of wine glasses, decanters and quirky corkscrews!
Don’t be put off by the stores smart appearance, wine prices start at just over £5 per bottle and can be bought individually!

Ballantynes Wine Merchants is a quality family business. It started its life about thirty five years ago in the salubrious market town of Cowbridge, (and although it doesn’t sound like it, Cowbridge is reputed to be the wealthiest town in South Wales… it’s clearly come a long way since very humble beginnings!), but is now located in Pontcanna, the posh end of Cardiff.
Having been around for long enough, the second generation of Ballantynes have joined the business. Perhaps this is why they now have an online store as well as the physical outlet? It is often the case when fresh blood comes into the frame, that progressive changes ensue. Not only do they usually possess the technical abilities to achieve this kind of development, but they also have the ambition and drive to want to put their stamp on the business.
Ballantynes is the kind of shop that attracts exclusive business. Working with small vintners and supplying the trade with specialty wines, its got exclusivity written all over it. But, as well as catering for the wholesale trade, they wouldn’t turn your retail business away… but I’m sure that even their retail clients are apt to buy their wine by the crate!

For lovers of wine, this is a really excellent outlet in the Pontcanna area of Cardiff. They stock a real range of cheaper and top end wines, though you know that you’ll always be getting the best within each price range.
Ballantynes are quite renowned for their stocking of good French wine, and seemingly specialise in red, but they also sell from many, many other countries, having recently brought over a number of great New Zealand wines.
Ranging from a £5.99 bottle of Chardonnay, to a more enticing bottles that will cost you hundreds of pounds each, this is a store that really will have anything for any wine lover. They are also great a giving advice to those people (like me) who like to think that they know more than they really do.

Ballantyne’s is a tremendous place to go if you are looking for a special bottle of wine or whisky. The prices range from the economical to the seriously expensive, though even the less expensive bottles are still extremely good and worth investigating. Ballantyne’s source very good french wines and so you can expect a standard of wine here that is far better than normal. The staff, normally the Ballantyne family, are extremely friendly and knowledgeable. I highly recommend Ballantyne’s to anyone keen on good wine.

Ballantynes is a Cardiff Wine Merchant with a centrally located Pontcanna retail shop with free local deliveries, together with an online ordering & delivery service for further afield.
Most importantly they have an excellent selection of wines from all over and at all kinds of prices to suit all tastes & budgets.
I found the staff to be very friendly, totally unpretentious and always ready to help with advice, explanations and to de-​mystify the process of buying good wine.
With more of us staying in and the trend to be more creative in the kitchen, its always good to have somewhere to find a nice wine to enjoy and Ballantynes deliver in that respect. Recommended.