The Wine Society
Discussion
Chaps
My father in law has recently invited me to become a member of the Wine Society. I was wondering if any PHers were members and if you would recomend it?
Being a mutual I thought it would allow access to a good standard of wine at a price point better than the likes of Laithwaites and Majestic where I currenly buy my wine.
Does anyone have any opinion?
thanks
Barry
My father in law has recently invited me to become a member of the Wine Society. I was wondering if any PHers were members and if you would recomend it?
Being a mutual I thought it would allow access to a good standard of wine at a price point better than the likes of Laithwaites and Majestic where I currenly buy my wine.
Does anyone have any opinion?
thanks
Barry
I have a 4 Seasons Mixed case that I have delivered every 3 months from Laithwaites which I do find good for trying wines I wouldn't usually choose.
I'm concious though that Laithwaites spend an absolute fortune on marketing and their prices must relect this. Comparitively, The Wine Society is a mutual and therefore essentially not for profit, so should be better value I thought.
Laithwaites also have been know to have some dodgy marketing tactics along the lines of "We've found a pallet of wine in our warehouse we didn't realise we had, get it while you can at this fantastic price!" in order to get rid of dross thay have over ordered and can't shift.
I'm concious though that Laithwaites spend an absolute fortune on marketing and their prices must relect this. Comparitively, The Wine Society is a mutual and therefore essentially not for profit, so should be better value I thought.
Laithwaites also have been know to have some dodgy marketing tactics along the lines of "We've found a pallet of wine in our warehouse we didn't realise we had, get it while you can at this fantastic price!" in order to get rid of dross thay have over ordered and can't shift.
The WS is geared toward supplying very good quality wine at a decent price, ranging from £3-4 gluggers up to £200-300 1st growths.
They don't hype rubbish but offer decent quality and i feel over the last few years have moved with the times and focus more on the New World discoveries which seems to appeal to more recent members.
Over the years i've used their Montreuil-French service a lot, but less so these days with the strengthening of the Euro. (This makes for a good day trip with lots of good spots for lunch).
They only updated their website this week and its far more user friendly and appealing than the old one.
If you do go for the wines without fuss option i don't think you'll be dissapointed. They rely on repeat business and loyalty so its really not in their interest to peddle mediocre rubbish.
Their tasting events are also good fun, but i wish they lasted a little longer!
They don't hype rubbish but offer decent quality and i feel over the last few years have moved with the times and focus more on the New World discoveries which seems to appeal to more recent members.
Over the years i've used their Montreuil-French service a lot, but less so these days with the strengthening of the Euro. (This makes for a good day trip with lots of good spots for lunch).
They only updated their website this week and its far more user friendly and appealing than the old one.
If you do go for the wines without fuss option i don't think you'll be dissapointed. They rely on repeat business and loyalty so its really not in their interest to peddle mediocre rubbish.
Their tasting events are also good fun, but i wish they lasted a little longer!
Dear agpt,
I've been a member for about 15 years and can't recommend the society highly enough. They don't win the mail order wine merchant of the year (or something) consistently without being the best. They are a co-op so don't have to make a profit as such and are only successful if their members keep buying the stuff because it's good.
I've never used the wine without fuss (although can see its appeal) preferring to pick my own. I especially enjoy the en primeur and new wines.
I also haven't been to any of their tastings, has anyone and if so what are they like?
regards,
Jet
I've been a member for about 15 years and can't recommend the society highly enough. They don't win the mail order wine merchant of the year (or something) consistently without being the best. They are a co-op so don't have to make a profit as such and are only successful if their members keep buying the stuff because it's good.
I've never used the wine without fuss (although can see its appeal) preferring to pick my own. I especially enjoy the en primeur and new wines.
I also haven't been to any of their tastings, has anyone and if so what are they like?
regards,
Jet
I have been a WS member for 25 years and in my opinion its the best supplier of wine in the UK bar none.
Its even better if you live near Stevenage as the showroom is great and usually has 4 wines to taste whilst you are there.
The range and quality of wines is miles ahead of laithwaites who sell some very ordinairy stuff indeed.Its not always the cheapest option for everyday wine , supermarkets can be cheaper, but there is plenty of opportunity for interesting and unusual choices.
I honestly have never had a disappointing wine from them. Wines that i don't particularly like the style of when experimenting, but still good examples of them never the less, and some real corkers.
Here is the difference. bottle of Haut Brion served to the family at Xmas dinner cost over £120 for the bottle and was , rather tragically, corked. Took the 3/4 empty bottle back to Stevenage and it was replaced cheerfully and immediately with an identical bottle, no questions, no paperwork.
They are a class act.
Its even better if you live near Stevenage as the showroom is great and usually has 4 wines to taste whilst you are there.
The range and quality of wines is miles ahead of laithwaites who sell some very ordinairy stuff indeed.Its not always the cheapest option for everyday wine , supermarkets can be cheaper, but there is plenty of opportunity for interesting and unusual choices.
I honestly have never had a disappointing wine from them. Wines that i don't particularly like the style of when experimenting, but still good examples of them never the less, and some real corkers.
Here is the difference. bottle of Haut Brion served to the family at Xmas dinner cost over £120 for the bottle and was , rather tragically, corked. Took the 3/4 empty bottle back to Stevenage and it was replaced cheerfully and immediately with an identical bottle, no questions, no paperwork.
They are a class act.
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