A review by Jordan Fletcher @Fletch_Eats
Wine clubs are ten a penny these days, but how many are worth sticking with once you’ve quaffed the welcome box and marvelled the obligatory free stemless tumblers? Having been in the business since 1874, The Wine Society is the world’s oldest club of its kind and just like fine wine, is ageing remarkably well.
Lifetime membership costs just £40, which unlocks a world of incredible wine and a £20 credit to spend in their online store. With regions spanning everywhere from Bordeaux and Austria to New Zealand and Portugal, there’s something to suit all palates.
Described by one member as the ‘’golden key to a treasure trove of wine’’, The Wine Society has garnered glowing reviews from the likes of Decanter and The Guardian. The secret behind the club’s success is their ability to source exceptional wines at high street beating prices, which makes the initial one-off membership cost well worth its modest price tag.
There’s no obligation to purchase regular cases either, making it ideal for everyone from casual wine drinkers to connoisseurs. Hell, even Patrick Bateman would struggle to find fault in some of the Chardonnays on offer here.
Their Christmas 2020 gift collection range from £22 to £145 and includes some absolute corkers. Hot picks include Six of the Best, which is true to its name with a selection of rich and luxurious reds and whites. Highlights include Château de Beauregard, Saint-Véran Vernay 2018, which scores an impressive 4.1 on Vivino and the rich and full-bodied Vacqueyras ‘Arabesque’, Domaine de Montvac 2018.
We sampled the wonderful Bellini Case, which is a complete steal at just £22.50. The perfect festive stocking filler, the case includes a bottle of the highly-rated Wine Society Prosecco, Van Nahmen Rhubarb Nectar and Van Nahmen White Peach Nectar. The Prosecco itself is a treat alone, sourced from a small family-run hillside vineyard, it’s a light, fruity number that goes down a treat.
Add your nectar of choice to take it to the next level. The rhubarb was delicious, but my personal favourite was the white peach, which creates a silky tipple that will have you coming back for more.
Proof if there ever was that a wine club should be for life, not just for Christmas, The Wine Society rocks.
Join The Wine Society today for just £40, or gift it to a loved one, and kiss goodbye to overpriced, sub-par wine.
