Founded in 1954, Direct Wine Shipments is Belfast’s oldest independent wine merchant.
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DWS is Belfast’s oldest independent wine merchant, having traded since 1954. In fact the McAlindon family has been involved in the drinks industry for more than 80 years, so we were delighted to meet up with Neal and the team for a chance to sample the three Creu Celta wines from their vineyard in Salanques, one of the coolest ‘climats’ in Priorat, Catalonia.
Creu Celta is an expression of the traditional grapes of the region. It is a mixture of very old vines (70+ years) plus maturing vines planted over 20 years ago. With strong imagery inspired by the exceptional 15th Century High Cross found on Devenish in County Fermanagh, Creu Celta means ‘Celtic Cross’ in Catalan, and this artisan micro production vineyard currently has three varieties available to purchase at DWS.
Firstly, Creu Celta Blanc 2024, from a vineyard of White Grenache, is the McAlindon’s first white wine from Priorat. The aromas burst with green fruit & citrus notes. Plump & rich with juicy pear flavours that lead into lean herbal notes of green almond, dried green herbs with minerality due to the slate soils. Medium to full bodied, and ideal with seafood, poultry, and pork dishes.
We then had the Creu Celta 2022 Priorat: fresh, elegant with notes of dark chocolate, pepper, cherry, raspberry, pine and a savoury minerality. Full, fruity and long with a rich finish.
Finally, the Terra Sagrada 2022 Priorat; 100% Syrah, offering a full & rich glassful. Blueberry & black olive notes are underpinned by smoky & mineral nuances. A big powerful red, it’s equally sumptuous and elegant.
What a joy to experience the company’s passion for its product in this exceptional, award-winning retail, wholesale, wine education and wine production business. Importing directly from family-owned and artisan producers across Europe and the New World, Direct Wine Shipments has a reputation for quality, integrity and expertise.
The McAlindon family’s passion for wine has shaped an award-winning retail, wholesale, wine education and wine production business. From bottling Guinness and wine in the 1950s to importing directly from family-owned and artisan producers across Europe and the New World, the company has built a reputation for quality, integrity and expertise spanning three generations.
The trade division of the company, McAlindon Wines, supplies many of Northern Ireland’s leading hotels, restaurants and independent wine shops with a carefully curated portfolio of exclusive wines.
Direct Wine Shipments punches well above its weight and is the only Northern Ireland wine company to have been voted ‘Best Merchant in the UK?
Our friendly, passionate and knowledgeable team are happy to advise on all your wine needs, including food and wine matching, recommendations for weddings and events. Regular public and private tastings offer an enjoyable way to deepen your knowledge, alongside our Wine Academy which offers internationally accredited Wine & Spirit Education Trust courses (WSET).
Creu Celta and Terra Sagrada come from Salanques, one of the coolest ‘climats’ in Priorat. The area is a virtual viticultural ‘paradise’ and the McAlindon family established a vineyard in this region in 2003.
Creu Celta is an expression of the traditional grapes of the region. It is a mixture of very old vines (70+ years) plus maturing vines planted over 20 years ago. With each passing year Creu Celta is delivering greater complexity and voluptuousness.
Terra Sagrada is an expression of the noble Syrah grape variety. Traditionally found in the Rhône, this variety excels in the demanding slate based soils of Priorat.
Today Priorat is producing some of the world’s greatest wines and both Creu Celta and Terra Sagrada aspire to join these ranks.
When we first conceived of Creu Celta, it was important that we used imagery that had a strong link with our homeland.
The symbol for Creu Celta (meaning ‘Celtic Cross’ in Catalan) is inspired by the exceptional 15th Century High Cross found on Devenish Island in County Fermanagh in the North of Ireland.
The vineyard is planted in the traditional Llicorella soil, a type of slate. The vines have to struggle to survive in this dry mountainous climate, but those that do yield exceptionally concentrated fruit, which give complex and long lived wines.
The vineyard contains 70+ year old Garnatxa (Grenache) vines and in 2003/04 terracing was created which allowed more planting to occur. More Garnatxa, some Samsó (Carignan) and a little Syrah were selected.
Garnatxa is the key grape of the region, and is the classic Mediterranean red grape. It offers red fruits, spice and in the right terroir produces ‘world class’ wines.
Samsó (Carignan) thrives in Priorat. It is a great blending partner to Garnatxa due to its tannin, acidity and colour.
Syrah whilst not native to the region adds depth, dark fruit and complexity.
Creu Celta Blanc 2024, Priorat, Spain
“from a vineyard of White Grenache owned by a very good friend and winemaker of Silvia, Carlos Cubells. The estate is located in Poboleda on a cool and steep hillside. single vineyard..500 m altitude…planted 25 years ago on a 70% slope, 100% Ilicorella…not blending with other garnatxa blanca as this is a very special vineyard…cold skin contact maceration during 15 hours..fermented, very slowly (16 to 20°C), in 500 liters barrel, for 30 days. steel tank with its lees for 5 months.” (Silvia Puig) “Green richness” is the theme that carries through all Grenache Blanc wines.
We decided we needed a white Creu Celta. Got access to high quality fruit from this small vineyard.
Related to the red grape Grenache. It is mostly found in Rhône wine blends (with Roussanne) and in northeast Spain. characterized by high alcohol and low acidity, with citrus and or herbaceous notes. Its vigour can lead to overproduction and flabbiness. Can be included in some red wines. Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côtes du Rhône AOCs. Up to 10% Grenache blanc is permitted to be included in the red wines of the Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC. In the Rivesaltes AOC, the grape is used as a blending component in some of the regions vin doux naturel wines.
Nearly half of all Grenache blanc plantings in France are located in the Roussillon region where the grape is often blended with Roussanne, Marsanne, Viognier and Rolle. In the upper Agly Valley, varietal terroir driven examples are starting to be produced. In white Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Grenache Blanc provides fruitiness and fatness to a blend that often includes Roussanne, Picpoul, Bourboulenc and Clairette blanche.
In Spain it is mostly found in the Spanish wine regions along the Pyrenees, particularly in Navarra and the Terra Alta region in Catalonia. It is also widely planted in the Priorat, Alella and Aragon. It is permitted in the white wines of Rioja but is not widely used due to the tendency of the must to oxidize easily.
Our first white wine from Priorat! The aromas burst with green fruit & citrus notes. Plump & rich with juicy pear flavours that lead into lean herbal notes of green almond, dried green herbs with minerality (slate soils). Medium to full bodied. For full flavoured seafood, poultry, and pork dishes.
Creu Celta 2022, Priorat, Spain
Grapes: Garnacha & Samso (Carignan)
With a clutch of medals and awards for its many releases Creu Celta still continues to impress. 2022 was a very hot vintage but altitude ensured wonderful freshness & elegance. Production was small but grapes were exceptionally healthy. 95% Grenache & 5% Carignan displays notes of dark chocolate, pepper, cherry, raspberry, pine and a savoury minerality. Full, long with a rich finish. Redolent of top Chateauneuf du Pape!
“The 2022’s are very good and display a rich, fruity round profile. This vintage is a more typical year, little rain, hot and dry. Slightly lower acidity but a lovely richness” Silvia Puig : Winemaker of Creu Celta & Terra Sagrada.
Terra Sagrada 2022, Priorat, Spain
Grapes: 100% Syrah
Our tiny production 100% Syrah (Shiraz) has received a lot of praise since its launch.
The 5th vintage offers a full & rich glassful. Blueberry & black olive notes are underpinned by smoky & mineral nuances. A big powerful red, its equally sumptuous and elegant. A blockbuster Syrah not unlike a Barossa Shiraz!
The 2022’s are very good and display a rich, fruity round profile. This vintage is a more typical year, little rain, hot and dry. Slightly lower acidity but a lovely richness.” Silvia Puig : Winemaker of Creu Celta & Terra Sagrada.
“SILVER MEDAL” (The Global Syrah Masters 2025)
