Olly Smith is a name many of his fellow Wine Society members will know: he’s a multi-award-winning writer, presenter, podcast host and columnist, and one of the UK’s best-loved figures in food and drink.
He’s also been a Wine Society member for 30 years, since receiving membership from his grandfather for his birthday.
‘I love The Wine Society for its brilliance, quality and value,’ says Olly. ‘Superstar buyers, stunning wines – I’ve been banging on about how every wine lover should be a member for years!'
We’re thrilled Olly has agreed to cherry-pick some of his favourites from our Generation Series range, and to share his thoughts on what excites him about these individual wines. Including some enticing food pairings – Rioja and sausage roll, anyone?!
Released to celebrate our 150th birthday, each Generation Series wine has been created in collaboration with our trusted, talented winemakers. Scroll down to see Olly’s recommendations and try them for yourself: you won’t find them anywhere else.
‘Crunchy, dynamic and delicious.’
Generation Series Crémant de Loire 2020
This exceptional sparkler was made by the Loire arm of Alfred Gratien, who also make Champagne, and have provided The Wine Society with beautiful bubbles for more than a century.
Olly’s tip: ‘When I’m serving fizz of this quality, I love to have it in a white wine glass. It maximises the aromas, and it makes it feel like more of a sense of occasion, too!’
The Wine Society`s Generation Series Crémant de Loire 2020
‘Bright and dazzling as luminous sherbet’
Generation Series Wachenheimer Riesling 2021
A German classic, made from riesling, a grape that Olly notes ‘has been on The Wine Society’s List right from the start, and there’s good reason for it. This tastes superbly indulgent. Think of peach smooshed with lime. And thanks to the volcanic soil, it’s got a little spicy kick to it as well.’
Olly’s tip: ‘As soon as it arrives, you’ll be wanting to sip it so, chill it fast by putting some water, ice and salt in an ice bucket.’
The Wine Society`s Generation Series Wachenheimer Riesling 2021
‘As sumptuous as a strawberry that’s popped its pips’
Generation Series Rioja 2020
Our Generation Series Rioja, Olly explains, ‘is dominated by a grape called garnacha. This was something that happened a lot in the 19th century. It means that this wine is supple, suave – feels actually incredibly modern, because this way of doing it is having a massive comeback.’
Olly’s tip: ‘Everyone knows that Rioja is incredible with lamb dishes, but you need to try it with a sausage roll; because it’s scrumptious! And it can also take a bit of spice, so think about a veggie chilli or a rogan josh.’
The Wine Society`s Generation Series Rioja 2020
‘A modern icon’
Generation Series South African Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch 2023
Our homage to South African chenin blanc is, according to Olly, ‘a really fresh wine made by Radford Dale, who are pioneers in regenerative viticulture, something I believe is really important to the world of wine. It’s peachy and it’s zingy. Beautiful wine.’
Olly’s tip: ‘You might not think about decanting a white wine from 2023. In this case, it actually works a charm – it opens up like a rose in bloom.’
The Wine Society`s Generation Series South African Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch 2023
‘Made by Rhône Valley royalty’
Magnum of Generation Series Vinsobres 2021
A plus-sized bottle of red wine from ‘the Jaume family, who’ve been doing it for more than 100 vintages, and from the beautiful village of Vinsbores Stylistically, it will appeal to those who enjoy a glass of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, for example, but this is a little brighter and silkier. Think about black cherries packed into a flashbulb!’
Olly’s tip: ‘When it comes to giving a gift in wine, size absolutely matters!’
Magnum of The Wine Society`s Generation Series Vinsobres 2021
‘Like buying a Ferrari for the price of a Fiat’
Generation Series Limarí Chardonnay 2022
‘With the prices of Burgundy getting ever more spenny,’ Olly says, ‘Chilean chardonnay is getting better and better. Marcelo Papa pioneered the area of Limarí, and he was looking for a similar idea to Puligny-Montrachet. And he found it!’
Olly’s tip: ‘This is light years away from the old butter bomb styles of foregone years. Lean, dazzling, this truly is Chile’s answer to Puligny.’
The Wine Society`s Generation Series Limarí Chardonnay 2022
‘If you’re a fan of Muscadet, you’ll get along with this one famously’
Generation Series Sauvignac 2022
‘What’s sauvignac? In flavour terms, it’s a bit like an apple that’s been rolled in lemon zest. The grape itself is a hybrid from a crossing of riesling with a descendant of sauvignon blanc, and it comes from a fascinating project in Bordeaux. As well as tasting great, it happens to be my wife Sophie’s favourite wine in the Generation Series line-up. Either way, it’s absolutely delicious!’
Olly’s tip: This particular grape is not only resistant to extreme heat, but also to mildew, so you don’t have to spray as much: not so many nasties involved in the vineyard, and that’s got to be a good thing for the future.’
The Wine Society's Generation Series Sauvignac 2022
‘Like diving into a citrus seaside’
Generation Series Sicilian White 2023
‘Although the summers in Sicily are very warm, this typifies the style of those wines: they tend to be bright and invigorating. The Planeta family, who make this wine, are busy promoting biodiversity in the vineyard. I’m really passionate about that: I think it makes the wine taste great as well as being friendly to the planet, and in this case it’s also kind to your bank balance.'
Olly’s tip: ‘The Wine Society buying team reckon southern Italian whites are going to be the next big thing: fantastic value for money, as well as being so fresh and invigorating.’
