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White's Wine: The Society
By Stuart WhiteFebruary 24, 2010
You Wine Society members have got it made.
At your disposal, an enormous cellar full of expertly chosen bottles sold at prices to not maximise profit.
There’s no catch once you’ve paid that £40 joining fee which doubles up as a share in the company for life.
The Society, the world’s oldest wine club dating back to 1874, can be trusted.
They will not let you down, and the award-winning range – half is French – will be delivered to your door at a click.
I met the firm’s chief buyer Sebastian Payne MW at the Stevenage headquarters last week and he guided me through 21 of the best drops under £10. I admit I hoped to be tasting 21 of the most eye-wateringly priced vintages but agreed this made sense.
Top white under a tenner is the “keep in your fridge” Society’s own brand Chilean Sauvignon Blanc (£5.95). Plenty of gooseberry with sharp acidity and perfect balance; it was showing superbly in the fully loaded tasting room next door to the call centre.
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The Society range is designed to reflect how a wine from a certain location should taste – perfect for enthusiastic learners.
Best red was the Barbera d’Alba Poderi Colla 2007 (£8.50) – a fresh, invigorating wine yet powerful enough to knock out the smoky in-need-of-a-good-steak Wolftrap 2008 (£6.50) we had just swirled.
Other highlights of the tasting were Marques de Mejia Rioja 2007 (£6.25), Brandal Albarino Rias Baixas 2008 (£8.95, and the white used for the office Christmas party) and The Society’s Argentine Malbec (£5.95) which had real zip and is made by Susana Balbo, a top female South American winemaker.
For more on The Wine Society, call 01438 741177 or visit www.thewinesociety.com.
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