Held twice a year, our press tastings offer a first look at the latest additions to our range – a chance for the UK’s leading wine writers and critics to explore what’s new at The Wine Society. October's tasting was described by Tim Atkin MW as 'possibly one of the best press tastings I’ve ever been to’, and we’re thrilled to share the highlights with you here.
'It’s coming home with me.'
Sam Caporn MW: The Society's Exhibition Cap Classique 2023
Sam Caporn MW : 'A traditional-method-fermented sparkling wine. A blend of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier with 20 months on lees. Bargain – £12.95. Really elegant, but really toasty. It’s coming home with me.’
'Like a peach rolled in salt crystals.’
Olly Smith: Chardonnay Beton, Kamil Barczentewicz 2023
Olly Smith: ‘It's a wine I've never tasted before, in fact, it's a country that I've never tasted wines from before. Poland. It's a Polish chardonnay... when you taste it, it's like a peach rolled in salt crystals. You're going to love it.’
'What a wine.’
Tim Atkin MW: Sungurlu ‘Ayağıbüyük’, Yaban Kolektif 2023
Tim Atkin MW: ‘An amazing wine made from a grape variety I've never heard of, but what a wine!’
Sungurlu ‘Ayağıbüyük’, Yaban Kolektif 2023
'All-round delicious.’
Archie Patel: Lavaux Chasselas, Famille Testuez 2024
Archie Patel : ‘Lots of ripe stone fruit, really easy to drink, kind of a chalky softness to it... all-round delicious and great value if you want to try something a little bit different.’
Lavaux Chasselas, Famille Testuz 2024
'Just delicious.’
Susie Barrie MW: Fogwell Syrah, Western Cape 2023
Susie Barrie MW : ‘As a syrah nut, I have gone for a syrah. It’s full of true syrah character, you know, peppery, savoury, meaty - just delicious.’
Fogwell Syrah, Western Cape 2023
‘There’s so much going on.'
Helena Nicklin: Timorasso, Boveri Luigi 2023
Helena Nicklin: ‘...full-bodied, so it's perfect for kind of autumn and winter. It's golden, it's rich, it's spicy, there's lots of kind of orchard fruit in there. There's so much going on and it's so different.’
Autumn’s must-try wines
Shop the wines
Fogwell Syrah, Western Cape 2023
Sungurlu ‘Ayağıbüyük’, Yaban Kolektif 2023
