WHAT'S UP?
For our most common queries, please see below our frequently asked questions. For anything else you can get in touch via email, hello@wineslut.co.uk
FAQ's
Shipping & Delivery
Where do you ship to?
We currently ship across the UK to eligible addresses. Delivery options, estimated transit times, and shipping costs are calculated and clearly displayed at checkout.
How long will delivery take?
We aim to dispatch all orders within 1–3 working days. While delivery estimates are accurate under normal conditions, they are not guaranteed, especially during peak holiday seasons or when unforeseen courier delays occur. You’ll receive tracking information via email as soon as your order leaves our warehouse.
What happens if my delivery is missed?
If no one is home to sign for or accept the package, our courier will make a re-delivery attempt or leave instructions for collection at a local drop-off point. Because we sell age-restricted goods, packages cannot be left in an safe place or with an unattended minor.
What if my order is delayed, lost, or damaged?
Please inspect your shipment as soon as it arrives. If your package arrives damaged or missing items, contact us within 48 hours of delivery at hello@wineslut.co.uk with:
- Your order number
- Clear photographs of the damaged bottle(s)
- Photos of the outer packaging and shipping label
We will investigate immediately with our courier and issue a replacement or refund as appropriate. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.
What happens if I provided the wrong delivery address?
Please double-check your shipping details at checkout. If a package is returned to us due to an incorrect address, failed delivery attempts, or lack of valid ID, we can re-dispatch your order, but a re-shipping fee will apply.
FAQ's
Orders & Changes
Is there a minimum order quantity?
Yes. To make sure your wine arrives safely, we only ship in multiples of 6. That means your cart needs to contain 6, 12, 18, or 24 bottles before you can check out.
Why do I have to buy in multiples of 6?
Our heavy-duty, protective transit boxes are custom-designed to hold exactly 6 bottles snugly. Shipping a half-empty box leaves room for bottles to rattle around and break, which ruins the wine and the vibe. It also wastes cardboard and increases our carbon footprint. Plus, let's be honest, one bottle is never enough anyway.
Can I mix and match different wines to fill my box?
Absolutely! Build your case however you want. You can grab six identical bottles of your favourite chillable red, or mix six completely different wildcards to try. As long as the total bottle count in your cart hits a multiple of 6, we’re good to go.
What about magnums, or merch?
Magnums, merch, and non-wine items don't count toward your 6-bottle rule and can be shipped alongside your completed cases.
Can I change or cancel my order after placing it?
If you need to adjust or cancel an order, contact us immediately with your order number. Once our warehouse has processed or dispatched your parcel, we can no longer make edits or cancellations.
Do you offer gift messaging, corporate orders, or discreet packaging?
Yes! You can add a custom gift message at checkout. All our orders are shipped in sturdy, protective transit boxes without pricing details on the packing slip. For corporate gifting or large orders, please reach out directly to hello@wineslut.co.uk.
How do pre-orders or limited allocations work?
Payment for pre-ordered or rare allocation bottles is taken at checkout to reserve your stock. Estimated arrival dates are listed on the product page. If you order pre-order items alongside ready-to-ship bottles, your entire order will ship together when the final item arrives (unless requested otherwise).
FAQ's
Age Verification & Legal
Do I need to be over 18 to order?
Yes. You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase alcohol from us. We operate a strict Challenge 25 policy and run age-verification checks at online checkout and upon delivery. Couriers will refuse delivery if a valid adult cannot accept the order.
What ID is accepted?
Valid, physical photo identification is required if challenged. We accept:
- A valid Passport
- A photocard Driving Licence
- A PASS-accredited proof-of-age card
If valid ID cannot be provided upon request, the order will be returned to us, and additional re-delivery fees may apply.
FAQ's
Returns, Taste & Faults
Can I return a wine if I simply don't like how it tastes?
Wine is wonderfully subjective! A bottle that tastes too dry, funky, tannic, or high in acidity is expressing its unique style, which does not constitute a product fault. For that reason, we cannot accept returns or offer refunds for wines you simply didn't enjoy.
Not sure what to pick? Contact us before buying, we love giving tailored recommendations!
What if I think my wine is genuinely faulty (e.g., corked)?
If you suspect a bottle has a genuine fault (such as TCA/cork taint):
- Stop drinking it, but do not pour it away.
- Re-cork or reseal the bottle with the remaining contents inside.
- Email us within 14 days of opening with your order number, wine name/vintage, and a description of the issue.
We may ask you to return the bottle so our team can assess the batch. If confirmed faulty, we will issue store credit, or full refund.
What does "corked" actually mean?
"Corked" doesn't mean bits of cork are floating in your glass. It refers to a chemical compound (TCA) introduced via natural cork. Corked wine smells like damp cardboard, wet dog, or a dusty basement, and the fruit flavors will taste muted or strip-stripped away.
Can I return unopened bottles if I change my mind?
Under UK Consumer Contracts Regulations, you have 14 days from delivery to cancel and return unopened, undamaged bottles in their original condition. Please note that unless the wine is confirmed faulty or delivered in error, you are responsible for the cost of return postage, and we strongly recommend using a tracked service.
FAQ's
Wine Styles & Characteristics
My wine is cloudy, fizzy, or tastes unusual. Is it faulty?
Not necessarily! We love low-intervention, natural, orange, skin-contact, and pét-nat wines. These styles are often unfiltered and un-fined, meaning they can naturally be cloudy, lightly sparkling, cider-like, or distinctly savoury/funky. These are intentional characteristics, not defects.
What are the crystals or dark sediment at the bottom of my bottle?
- Sediment: Harmless organic matter (grape skins/tannins) common in unfiltered or older red wines. Stand the bottle upright before pouring, and leave the last splash in the bottle.
- Crystals: These are tartrate crystals (often called "wine diamonds"). They are completely natural, harmless minerals that form in cold conditions. They do not alter the safety or flavor of the wine.
What are sulphites, and do they cause hangovers?
Sulphites (sulfur dioxide) are a natural byproduct of wine fermentation used as a preservative. Mass-produced commercial wines often add extra sulphites to stabilize the wine for mass shipping. Low-intervention and natural wines use very little or zero added sulphites.
As for hangovers? Dehydration and alcohol volume are the main culprits, but avoiding heavy synthetic additives and high sulphite levels often means waking up feeling a whole lot fresher.
FAQ's
Wine Care & Recommendations
How should I store my wine once it arrives?
Keep your bottles in a cool, dark, temperature-stable space away from direct heat, sunlight, and heavy vibrations.
- Natural Corks: Store lying flat to keep the cork moist.
- Screwcaps: Can be stored standing upright.
- Once Opened: Re-seal, put it in the fridge, and enjoy within 2–4 days for peak freshness (natural wines are best enjoyed within 24–48 hours).
Can you help me pick the perfect bottle?
Always! Shoot us a message with:
- What you usually like to drink (or hate!)
- What food you're pairing it with
- Your target budget
We’ll hand-pick something you'll love.
Should I chill red wine?
100% yes, especially low-intervention and lighter reds! While heavy, oaked reds are great at cool room temperature 15 - 18 degrees, lighter reds like Gamay, Pinot Noir, Frappato, or chillable natural reds taste infinitely better with a slight chill 10 - 12 degrees. Pop them in the fridge for 20–30 minutes before opening to make the fruit flavors pop.
How long does a bottle stay fresh after opening?
Most still wines stay great for 2 to 4 days once opened, provided you re-cork or reseal them and put them straight into the fridge (yes, even the reds!).
- Natural / Low-Sulphur Wines: Because they have fewer added preservatives, natural wines can evolve rapidly. They are usually at their absolute peak within 24 to 48 hours of opening.
- Sparkling & Pét-Nats: Best enjoyed within 24 hours using a proper pressure-rated champagne stopper.
Do I need to decant my wine?
You don't need fancy crystal glass to let a wine breathe! Decanting just means giving the wine some air to unlock its aromas.
- Young, punchy reds or high-acid orange wines benefit from 30 minutes in a carafe (or a water jug!) before drinking.
- Older bottles or delicate natural wines can lose their fresh fruit quickly with too much air, so just pour them directly into glasses and watch them open up over an hour.
My cork crumbled or broke off in the bottle. Help!
Don't panic, it happens to the best of us, especially with natural corks or aged bottles!
- Gently angle your corkscrew into the remaining piece at a
45 degree angle to pull it out carefully.
- If it drops into the bottle, simply pour the wine through a clean coffee filter or fine sieve into a jug or carafe.
- Note: A crumbled cork doesn't mean the wine is ruined, just pour and enjoy!
What's the ideal serving temperature for different styles?
No thermometer needed, just use this general rule of thumb:
- Sparkling & Whites: Fridge cold (pull out 5 mins before serving).
- Orange & Rosé: Cool, not ice cold (pull out 15 mins before serving so you don't mute the aromas).
- Light / Chillable Reds: Slightly cool (pop in the fridge for 30 mins).
- Full-Bodied Reds: Cool room temp (never leave them right next to a radiator!).
Live Chat
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Opening Hours
Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm
Sat-Sun: Closed