The world of wine appreciation and tasting goes far beyond the idea of a glass of your favourite red with dinner. It involves a solid understanding of vineyard regions, the grape varieties, and the wonderful stories involved from the wine producers that cover centuries of history in this epicurean art. However, there have often been several barriers to entry for those who want to start their own wine discovery journey. These may range from the restricted options available at local shops or supermarkets, a certain nervousness to approach what can be a daunting world, or even simply the lack of free time in your days.
The recent emergence of wine clubs and subscription models that can bring all of this knowledge and experience directly to your doorstep has been a real revelation. We can now all step into this world at our own pace, and from the comfort of our own homes as we take taste tours around the globe with a glass in hand. Let us be your guide as we explore some of the very best options available for wine clubs in the UK.
The Sourcing Table
The Sourcing Table is the most luxurious and high-end way to experience a wine club in this country. It has been created by the people at Indigo Wines, one of the most trusted companies for the procurement, import, and distribution of artisanal wines to independent retailers and restaurants. Their Wine Club extends a strong philosophy of bringing a fresh modern edge to the wine community through relationships with exceptional producers from all over the world.
These are wines that you will very rarely find anywhere else accompanied by detailed notes to allow greater insight into the people and stories behind them. Curated for the curious, it is an opportunity to delve into 6 or 12 bottles per quarter that promise to develop your palate and wine knowledge simultaneously. The latest Spring case features modern classics for the connoisseur including the Castro Ventosa, Valtuille Cepas Centenarias, 2020.
The Wine Society – Vintage Cellar Plan
The Wine Society is the oldest member-owned community of wine lovers in the world. Since 1874 they have been providing people with the chance to connect with superb wines and wine producers in a fair-priced and sustainable way. The Vintage Cellar Plan is their flagship Wine Club offering that does things a little differently than the average subscription model. It encourages members to build a world-class wine cellar based on their current tastes and interests in regions or flavour profiles.
Their experienced team scours the globe for bottles that match your individual styles, supplying detailed tasting notes on when to open and how to enjoy them. The Vintage Cellar Plan even provides a temperature-controlled Members Reserve to ensure that their hand-picked options are optimally stored for you to deliver the perfect taste when the cork is pulled.
The Cellar Next Door Wine Club
The story of the Cellar Next Door Wine Club is a tale of triumph over adversity for Peckham Cellars, a South East London restaurant and wine shop founded by three friends in 2019. During the difficult lockdown of 2020 and 2021, they successfully managed to create an online offering for their wines that led to this innovative and modern Wine Club springing to life. The passion and knowledge of the founders are clear to see and taste in every case, with a simple online ordering system for monthly delivery.
The Club Del Vino, as it is affectionately known, is now growing from strength to strength with some fantastic bottles appearing in past cases. The crunchy, fresh, and aromatic Criollas Tintas, El Montanista is a classic example of what you can expect here, the result of a new vineyard project from the San Juan region of Argentina.
Provisions Wine Subscription
Provisions is well known for its carefully selected artisan produce from small, natural, and organic suppliers in France, Italy, and across wider Europe. The Provisions Wine Subscription is built around the ethos of ‘Learn While You Drink’ to encourage a deeper connection with the bottles that you receive. This is achieved through an emphasis on themes and storytelling in every case. It may involve taking you on a trip through the Alps, explaining the flavour output of various weather conditions for vineyards and geographical regions, or understanding how the vintages of certain years have gained notoriety.
This narrative encourages a holistic view of the wine that you will be experiencing from the soil to the grape, from the bottle to the glass, and from the producer to your home. It genuinely feels like you are a part of the entire process and allows you to fully appreciate everything that it takes to successfully deliver it to you.
Wine of England – The English Wine Subscription
Wine of England has proved itself as an authority on the English wine and wineries that are rapidly gaining popularity amongst serious wine enthusiasts and consumers. The English Wine Subscription represents a Wine Club that is simple in its setup and clear in its focus. Two bottles of exciting and enticing English wine are delivered every month with one still and one sparkling from the very best vineyards in the country.
Tasting notes are also supplied alongside a recipe that the experts of Wine of England are sure will be the perfect pairing. This means you could be enjoying a fantastic fish dish or the perfect pasta as part of your overall experience too. From the Bee Tree Vineyard in East Sussex to the Bosue in Cornwall and on to the Sealwood Cottage vineyard in Derbyshire, this is England bottled and ready to pour.
The menu of Wine Clubs is growing bigger and bigger every year. With so much flexibility in subscription terms, it is possible to enjoy a wonderful combination of several throughout the year to broaden your knowledge, experience, and taste. Whether you are going wild for white, raring for a red, or even just looking forward to fizz, there is something here to suit all tastes that will bring so much more than a bottle to your table.
