The wonderful thing about wine is that each year provides different opportunities. Quality across the world is consistently brilliant, while vintages and weather are the variables. So what do I think are the styles that members should be enjoying this year? This selection showcases the buyers’ highlights of 2024. We have handpicked over 40 wines from our range of 1,600 to reflect the trends that we wholeheartedly believe in.
To discover the best value the wine world has to offer, look no further than our selections – under £10 and under £20. Value doesn’t mean cheap: it means where you will get the most for every pound you spend. Then, in this milestone year for The Wine Society, we’re focused on our top family- owned and run producers, many of which have been tending vineyards and crafting delicious wines for generations. Finally, we are particularly excited about wines made in cool climates – in the past they could be weedy and unripe, but today these are styles that exhilarate and refresh with every mouthful.
Value under £10
Charm, reliability and lots of flavour for your money are what marks these wines out. The regions that stand out for value are southern France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Bordeaux. Here, winemakers have the confidence to stand back and let the fruit do the talking.
Winning bottles between £10 and £20
Moving up in price and knocking on the fine wine door, Greece, Rioja, Chianti, Rhône, New Zealand, California and Chile are overdelivering this year. We are impressed with the depth and complexity of the wines in this section, which combine established vineyards with skilful winemaking.
Family-owned producers
The best family wineries are run with passion and attention to detail. They thrive by taking the long view for future descendants; many are models of sustainability with history measured in generations. The other elements that resonate with our buying approach are trust and authenticity. These excellent wines reflect region, grape and winemaking philosophy with pinpoint accuracy.
Cool climate
Crisp, vibrant and full of energy; the characteristics of good cool-climate wines. They appeal for their pure fruit flavours and lightweight texture, often modest alcohol levels, and can be enjoyed without food. The reds can also benefit from being served slightly cool. Quality has risen enormously in recent years and so has their popularity amongst members.
