An Expert’s Guide To Wine Clubs
FOR THE CLASSIC WINE LOVER: The Wine Society
Membership of the Wine Society used to be the sort of thing a guy might give a godson for an 18th birthday. It would involve recommendations and being seconded by someone from the golf club. That’s all changed now. You apply, pay a one-off £40 membership fee and, not only will you get £20 to redeem straight away, you become a shareholder. It works as a co-operative, so the pricing is honest and the grower relationships are sound. Additional member benefits include carefully curated newsletters to aid any future purchases. From £6 a bottle, you can enjoy a lifetime of access to one of the greatest wine selections in the UK, with options to store your growing collection.
Visit TheWineSociety.com
FOR THE ADVENTURER: Humble Grape
Imagine being given your own expert-led tour of the most fascinating new corners of the wine world. Think Slovenian Pinot Noir and Serbian Mlavac. That’s Humble Grape. As well as running excellent wine bars around London, it works with Tim Hanni, a Master of Wine whose ‘vinotyping’ system reads your palate like a psychological test. It then predicts (accurately) the kind of wine you’ll love. Choose a case every three months (£40), two months (£60) or month (£120). Everything you receive will have been handpicked from small, independent and sustainable producers.
Visit HumbleGrape.co.uk
FOR THE TIME-PRESSED: Quintessentially Wine
If you need 24/7 advice on finding fine and rare wines, Quintessentially Wine is for you. An offshoot of the Quintessentially global concierge service, it doesn’t only find jeroboams of Champagne at 2am. Its expert team can curate cellars and impart advice – and offers – on more day-to-day drinking. Members are also invited to regular wine tastings and themed dinner parties.
Visit Quintessentially.com
FOR THE ECO-CONSCIOUS: Wanderlust Wine Club
One of the most talked-about wine clubs of the last few years, Wanderlust delivers wines from smaller, artisanal producers with impeccable environmental credentials. Its bottles are also perfect when you need something a little bit special for entertaining. The wines come every quarter at three tiers of membership: Silver (£30 a month), Gold (£60) and Platinum (£90). As an intro offer, you have the option to purchase a ‘Discovery’ box for £75 (usually £100), showcasing existing members’ favourite wines. There are great events and free tasting sessions for members, as well as discounts on wines bought outside the quarterly delivery. Still not sold? Wanderlust can also deliver wine in an hour for customers in London.
Visit WanderlustWine.co.uk
FOR THE PARTY HOUND: The Magnum Company
Twice the size, four times the fun. The two-bottle-in-one format of the magnum ages better and adds something special to entertaining. The Magnum Company will deliver different magnums throughout the year, via three-month (£110), six-month (£190) and 12-month (£360) memberships. Ideal as a gift, this is also a useful service for those whose experience has taught them that they never have a magnum handy when they need one.
Visit TheMagnumCompany.com
FOR THE CLUB GOER: 67 Pall Mall & Trade Soho
The truly committed can join a bricks-and-mortar club dedicated to wine. London’s most famous is 67 Pall Mall, a converted bank with (arguably) the UK’s largest list, including hundreds of wines by the glass. For something less traditional, Trade Soho feels a little edgier and is designed for people in the wine business. Take a membership to dig out some rarely seen treats from its cellar.
Visit 67PallMall.com & TradeSoho.co.uk
Joe Fattorini presents The Wine Show on Amazon Prime, with Matthew Goode, James Purefoy, Matthew Rhys and Dominic West. Series three launches in May.
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