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Relaxed winery events encourage a younger set. Picnic at Whistler Wines in the Barossa, Australia
Lifestyle & opinion

Never mind the millennials

Ruth Spivey wonders whether wine (including The Wine Society) has a bright future if the next generation just aren't that interested.

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Pol Roger
The road less travelled

The real history of Champagne

We unravel a shaggy-sheep story about the origins of the Champagne trade and the reasons behind the region's Germanic-sounding houses.

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May in season In Season: May
The spectacular terraced vineyards of the Upper Douro, a UNESCO World Heritage Site The ultimate guide to Portuguese wine
Sheep at Tablas Creek Can regenerative viticulture go mainstream?
Pierre Mansour. Credit: Gilbert Bages @drinkinmoderation Second nature: a new winemaking philosophy is here

Inspiration

Explore seasonal recipes, travel inspiration and the latest opinions from the world of wine.

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May in season Food & wine In Season: May
Complements of the season Food & wine Complements of the season: springtime wine and food
In Season: April Food & wine In Season: April
Hilltop village of Vinsobres Domaine Jaume Lifestyle & opinion Why we love the Rhône
Chapelle Travels in Wine Rhône reflections: Marcel Orford-Williams’ final love letter to this special wine region
Marcel Orford-Williams Lifestyle & opinion Farewell and thanks for all the wine
Barolo Travels in Wine Bewitched by Barolo
150th celebration 150th anniversary A very Wine Society celebration!
Old bottles from the tasting room in Stevenage Lifestyle & opinion 150 years of making memories: our buyers share stories of special bottles
The panel Lifestyle & opinion The future of wine – the wider view
Artificial Intelligence Lifestyle & opinion How AI will transform the world of wine
The future of wine Lifestyle & opinion The future of wine: what might the next 50 years have in store?
The future of food Food & wine The future of food
Cassoulet Food & wine The future of food: Mark Hix’s a kind of British cassoulet
Salad Food & wine Chicken paillard with carlin peas | The Wine Society
Mussels Food & wine The future of food: Pam Brunton’s mussels with Lechoso chickpeas, cumin and spinach
Italy: if you like that, try this Lifestyle & opinion Italy: if you like that, try this
German Wines Lifestyle & opinion Joanna Locke MW retires after two decades as our buyer
What makes a Champion? Lifestyle & opinion What Makes A Champion?
List covers 150th anniversary List retrospective: 150 years of good drinking at The Wine Society
The Gers region Lifestyle & opinion Tour de France
Vols-Au-Vent Food & wine A taste of history with Tim Hayward
What were we drinking? 150th anniversary Vintage wines: what early Wine Society members were drinking
Freddy 150th anniversary Member Moments Competition
The origins of The Wine Society 150th anniversary The origins of The Wine Society
The first 50 years of The Wine Society: 1874–1924 150th anniversary The first 50 years of The Wine Society: 1874–1924
Potted shrimp Food & wine A taste of history with Felicity Cloake
Behind the scenes in Rioja Grower stories Behind the scenes in Rioja
What wine to drink with Christmas dinner Christmas What wine to drink with Christmas dinner: The complete guide
Fortified friends Christmas Your fortified friends: how to pair sherry and Port with food at Christmas
Six festive cocktails Christmas Six Christmas Cocktails to make your party sparkle
Steve in the vineyard at Alfred Gratien Travels in Wine Our man in Champagne
Kanonkop estate entrance Travels in Wine South Africa
In praise of zin Lifestyle & opinion In praise of zin
Matthew Horsley Lifestyle & opinion Wine Champions explained: A Q&A with buyer Matthew Horsley
Chair Alan Black Lifestyle & opinion Your Committee
Château Climens Lifestyle & opinion A word from Tim Sykes: Sauternes in peril
Holding prices Lifestyle & opinion Support and save: maintaining the virtuous circle
Pollo alla Cacciatore (Hunter’s Chicken) Food & wine Pollo alla Cacciatore (Hunter’s Chicken)
Lamb Ragu for pasta Food & wine Lamb ragù for pasta
Ixta Belfrage's porcini & roasted red-pepper lasagne Food & wine Ixta Belfrage's porcini & roasted red-pepper lasagne
Wild mushroom, chestnut & leek lasagne with rosemary & lemon Food & wine Wild mushroom, chestnut & leek lasagne with rosemary & lemon
Poached chicken with morel sauce Food & wine Poached chicken with morel sauce
Spring Vegetable Stew Food & wine Spring Vegetable Stew
An Australian Journey Travels in Wine On the road – an Australian journey
Citrus-cured fish Food & wine Citrus-cured fish starter
Black Bean Stew Food & wine Ultimate autumn stew: Black beans with salsa
Matthew and Jo in South Africa Travels in Wine South Africa: expanding horizons
Getting the inside track: picks from Wine Society staff Lifestyle & opinion Read about our staff picks
Jansson's Temptation Food & wine Mark Diacono’s recipe for Jansson’s Temptation
Travels_With_Buyer Travels in Wine
Floral Wines Wine opinion and lifestyle inspiration
Christmas moments Christmas
Black Bean Stew Wonderful recipes to accompany our wines

Explore

Get to know our growers, brush up on your wine expertise and discover the quirkier side of the wine world with our Explore pages.

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Sheep at Tablas Creek Latest news Can regenerative viticulture go mainstream?
The spectacular terraced vineyards of the Upper Douro, a UNESCO World Heritage Site Regional guides The ultimate guide to Portuguese wine
Pol Roger The road less travelled The real history of Champagne
Relaxed winery events encourage a younger set. Picnic at Whistler Wines in the Barossa, Australia Lifestyle & opinion Never mind the millennials
Gamay grape Expertise Why I love gamay
Jen Gardner and Col McBryde Adelina Wines Clare Valley Grower stories Meet the people behind our newest own-label wines
Pierre Mansour. Credit: Gilbert Bages @drinkinmoderation Expertise Second nature: a new winemaking philosophy is here
Off the beaten track - photo of a vineyard Expertise Victoria Moore heads off the beaten track
Hidden gems - image of wine glasses The road less travelled Hidden gems: did you know we also sell…?
Why you should be drinking fine wine Lifestyle & opinion Why you should be drinking fine wine
Master of Wine Giles Cooke Grower stories Too good to miss in 2025: boundary-pushing producers
Chapelle Travels in Wine Rhône reflections: Marcel Orford-Williams’ final love letter to this special wine region
Older vintages Christmas Which older vintages will be perfect to drink at Christmas 2024?
Fine Wines with Stories to Tell: European Trailblazers Grower stories Fine Wines with Stories to Tell: European Trailblazers
Fine Wines with Stories to Tell: Australia, New Zealand & USA Grower stories Fine Wines with Stories to Tell: Australia, New Zealand & USA
Thaya vineyards in the Czech region of Moravia, sub-region Znojmo, on outskirts of Podyjí National Park The road less travelled Introducing new Czech and Cypriot wines
Olly Smith Expertise Wine Expert Olly Smith’s top picks from the Generation Series
Buyer Matthew Horsley with winemakers Den’e van Wyk and Adrian Mohor and owners Ruth and Charles Simpson Grower stories Behind the scenes at Simpsons’ Wine Estate: the future of English wine
Brumont Expertise The career highlights of Marcel Orford-Williams
Sake Expertise Rice, rice, baby – a beginner’s guide to sake
M'Hudi_(From the Left) Kwena, Lebo & Malmsey Grower stories From challenges to cheers: our journey with M'hudi Wines
Jo Locke MW: 20 Years as a Society Buyer Expertise Jo Locke MW: 20 Years as a Society Buyer
Bordeaux 2021 – an early assessment of the vintage Expertise 2023 Bordeaux vintage overview
How to decipher a French wine label Expertise How to decipher a French wine label
Pfalz Expertise Germany 2022 – full and fresh wines
Peter Hall Breaky Bottom Grower stories Peter Hall of Breaky Bottom: England’s Sparkling Originator
Cave Jaume Grower stories Behind the scenes in Vinsobres: Domaine Jaume
Ricardo Arumbarri Regional guides Getting to know Rioja
Fiona Hayes and Harriet Kininmonth.jpg Expertise Two new buyers join the team
Do vintages matter? Expertise Do vintages matter?
Bold Spicy Reds Expertise How to find value for under £10
Against all odds: winemakers overcoming the impossible Grower stories Against all odds: winemakers overcoming the impossible
Marcel Orford-Williams on 35 years of buying from the French Country Expertise Marcel Orford-Williams on 35 years of buying from the south of France
Vineyard Expertise What to drink in 2024
Getting to know Bordeaux Regional guides Getting to know Bordeaux
South Africa Expertise Why you should be buying more South African wine
Behind the scenes in Rioja Grower stories Behind the scenes in Rioja
Cava Wine styles Cava chameleon
Debunking fine wine myths Lifestyle & opinion Debunking fine wine myths
Ben in vineyard Grower stories New Zealand Exhibition Pinot Noir: the man behind the wines
Aussie winemakers on tour Grower stories Aussie winemakers on tour
Matthew and Jo in South Africa Expertise South Africa: passing the baton
To oak or not to oak Lifestyle & opinion To oak or not to oak?
Barossa Valley Vineyard Regional guides Australia’s wine regions: a quick guide
Cool Reds: our guide to the best red wines for chilling this summer Lifestyle & opinion Cool reds: Our guide to the best red wines for chilling this summer
Pierre Mansour and Tim Sykes Expertise We mean what we say
Buyers' reports Expertise 2022 vintage report
Bordeaux 2021 – an early assessment of the vintage Expertise 2022 Bordeaux vintage overview
Pierre Bésinet Grower stories Pierre Bésinet: a long and fruitful life in the Languedoc
‘ratonero bodeguero andaluz’, the Andalusian cellar rat-hunting dog Grower stories Winegrowers and other animals
Bordeaux Our ultimate regional wine guides
Explore Burgundy Learn about wine from the experts
rainer and christina wess Meet the wine growers who create our wine
150th anniversary articles 150th anniversary articles
Travels_With_Buyer Discover our exciting industry

Wine Basics

Want to know what makes cabernet sauvignon different to merlot, or which wine to drink with your dinner? Whether you're new to wine or a seasoned pro, wine basics has the answer!

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Chardonnay Kumeu Grape varieties How to find the perfect chardonnay for you
Pinot noir: why our buyers love the heartbreak grape Grape varieties Pinot noir: why our buyers love the heartbreak grape
Alsace Vines Wine Explained Wine glossary and tasting terms
Bold Spicy Reds Wine basics
How to taste Serve, store & taste How to taste wine in three simple steps
Grape Vineyard Explore our ultimate grape guides
Argentina Discover all there is to know about wine
Shiraz Grape varieties Syrah/Shiraz: The ultimate grape guide
Smooth Mellow Wine styles I like... smooth mellow red wines
Rose_Glasses Wine styles I like… rosé wines
Wine Storage Serve, store & taste How should I store and age wine?
Food Matching Serve, store & taste An easy guide to matching food and wine
Wedding Wines Serve, store & taste How to buy wine for your wedding?
Fresh Dry Whites Wine styles I like... fresh dry white wines
Malbec Grape varieties Malbec: The ultimate grape guide
Bold Spicy Reds Wine styles I like… big, bold and spicy red wines
Calories Serve, store & taste How worried should I be about calories in wine?
Open Bottle Serve, store & taste Caroline Gilby - How long can I keep a bottle of wine once it's been opened?
Champagne Glass Wine styles I like… champagne, prosecco and sparkling wines
Viognier Grape varieties Viognier: The ultimate grape guide
Gewurtz Grape varieties Gewurztraminer: The ultimate grape guide
Full bodied Whites Wine styles I like... full-bodied rich white wines
Tempranillo Grape varieties Tempranillo: The ultimate grape guide
Aromatic Whites Wine styles I like… aromatic white wines
Albarino Grape varieties Albariño: The ultimate grape guide
Chardonnay Grape varieties Chardonnay: The ultimate grape guide
Decanting-wine Serve, store & taste Decanting, chilling, pouring: here's how to serve wine
Sauvignon Blanc Grape varieties Sauvignon blanc: The ultimate grape guide
Pinot Noir Grape varieties Pinot noir: The ultimate grape guide
Perfumed Red Wines Wine styles I like... soft perfumed red wines
Merlot Grape varieties Merlot: The ultimate grape guide
Grape Vineyard Serve, store & taste Why does shiraz taste peppery? The science behind taste and wine
Gruner Grape varieties Grüner Veltliner: The ultimate grape guide
Riesling Grape Guide Grape varieties Riesling: The ultimate grape guide
Pinot Grigio Grape varieties Pinot gris/grigio: The ultimate grape guide
Cabernet Sauvignon Grape varieties Cabernet sauvignon: The ultimate grape guide
Cheese Wine Serve, store & taste Wine and cheese pairings
Semillon Grape varieties Semillon: The ultimate grape guide
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