Welcome to Hic! | Independent Wine Merchants

As an independent, family-run specialist, we believe discovering brilliant wine should be effortless.

For over 25 years, we have worked directly with dedicated growers and elite shippers to secure a high-quality range - from highly sought-after cellar rarities to outstanding everyday bottles.

Operating from our Ledston store, we provide expert guidance and secure UK shipping tailored to exactly how you drink. With no minimum orders required, you have the absolute freedom to explore by the bottle.

SHOP ALL BOTTLES

FIND YOUR PERFECT TIPPLE!

SEARCH FOR YOUR IDEAL BOTTLE FROM OUR RANGE

BRILLIANT BOTTLES, ALWAYS UNDER £15

Over the years we've tasted thousands of bottles so you don't have to waste a penny.

Our "Everyday Drinkers" collection is the result of our constant search for hidden gems - those expressive, honest wines that punch well above their weight but keep the price of a glass well within reach.

Whether it’s a bright, crisp white for a Tuesday night or a smooth, reliable red for a weekend gathering, this range provides a daily selection of genuinely exciting wines to please both the palate and the pocket.

Take the risk out of trying something new. With our single-bottle freedom and no minimum order, you can mix a case of unique, family-made wines and discover your next favourite bottle for under £15.

It's quality and confidence, served affordably!

SHOP THE £15 & UNDER COLLECTION

JUDGE THE FLOCK, NOT THE BUCKET

"I don't like Chardonnay, but I love a glass of Chablis."

It is the classic contradiction we hear time and time again from the 'ABC' (Anything But Chardonnay) crowd. But swearing off this incredibly versatile grape because of one heavy, over-oaked glass is exactly like giving up on chicken because you once had a bad fast-food nugget.

Depending on the climate and the winemaker, this grape acts as the ultimate blank canvas—it can be anything from razor-sharp and refreshingly crisp to a rich, buttery heavyweight.

Forget the old misconceptions, step away from the oak-in-a-can, and explore the true spectrum of this wildly misunderstood favourite.

SHOP THE CHARDONNAY COLLECTION

RESPECT THE SUNDAY RITUAL

September weather is anybody's guess, but the weekend roast remains entirely non-negotiable. If you have spent your morning peeling a mountain of potatoes, keeping a watchful eye on the Yorkshire puddings, and finally wrangling the whole family to sit down at the exact same time, you have already done the hard work. Do not reward that chaotic kitchen effort by pouring a bottle of mass-produced disappointment.

The Sunday table demands a wine that can stand up to the occasion and the rich food. We have put together a definitive lineup built specifically to tackle roasted meats and all the trimmings. This is where we leave the lightweight options behind, moving straight into heavyweight Ribera del Duero, ancient-vine Cape blends, and classic, structured Chianti Classico that deliver genuine depth and character.

Because the kitchen chaos often bleeds into the dining room, we have also included outstanding premium English sparkling to cut right through the noise and start the afternoon off right. You have navigated the timings, the temperatures, and the inevitable table politics. Now, grab a generously sized glass, pull the cork on something memorable, and let the wine do the talking.

SHOP THE SUNDAY EDIT

WINES BUILT FOR THE COLD

September weather is a gamble, but the evening chill is guaranteed. As the focus shifts indoors, white wine does not need to be relegated to the back of the fridge. Instead, we are leaving the ice buckets and zesty thirst-quenchers behind, moving straight into serious, broad-shouldered whites with real weight and texture that do not flinch in the cold.

This lineup is entirely dedicated to big, structured wines built with intention. We are talking about complex, unmanipulated bottles that deliver rich notes of brown butter, toasted hazelnuts, and deep orchard fruit. These are food-obsessed heavyweights that demand a spot next to a Sunday roast, wild mushrooms, or a massive wheel of aged hard cheese.

From premium, age-worthy oaked Chardonnay to textured, mineral-driven blends, this is a formidable selection of whites with actual backbone. Put away the ice, grab a generously sized glass, and pour something memorable.

POUR SOMETHING SERIOUS

NO LIGHTWEIGHTS | BIG GLASSES ONLY

The patio sessions are fading, and the evening air has finally sharpened. As the focus naturally shifts indoors, the wine in your glass needs to step up. We are leaving the simple, thirst-quenching summer fruit behind and moving straight into a season defined by warmth, spice, and serious savoury depth. It is time to pour something that demands a little more attention.

This lineup is entirely focused on robust, unmanipulated reds with actual backbone. We are talking about the kind of bottles that deliver thrilling hits of cracked black pepper, smoked meats, and dark, brooding fruit. These are the heavyweight pours that sit perfectly alongside a Tuesday night grazing board, or stand entirely on their own when you just want to switch off.

From an intensely savoury Northern Rhône Syrah to a complex, evolving Cru Beaujolais that has shed its summer vibrancy, this is a formidable selection built for the darker months. Shut out the world, grab a big glass, and pull the cork on something serious.

SHOP THE EVENING POUR