"Okay. So, with the one star review, I'm making a point here. The wine is good: deep, velvety taste and a relatively rich flavour profile for the price. I've no problem with the liquid. My problem is the bottle. It's a socking great thing. I just weighed it at 650g; a bottle only needs to be c.400g and hopefully technology can make that less. The Wine Society has said it cares about the environment; the Wine Society knows that glass, and transporting heavy glass around, is one of the big contributors of the wine industry to green houses gases, and yet here is one of its top selling own-brand wines in what is clearly an unnecessarily heavy bottle. I get it if this was bought in and released under an individual winery's label: the Wine Society can't really control that. But it can control what it decides to give its own brand's stamp of approval to. I don't see how the Wine Society can BOTH be happy to be selling this sort of bottle AND say it cares about the environment. You can have one or the other; you can't have both."

"Just drinking the 2015. Very enjoyable. My last bottle. Recommend "

I would recommend this wine

"Can’t think of any wine I’ve enjoyed more at this price point. And I can think of much more expensive ones that I’ve enjoyed less. I’m not really much of a wine taster but what I love about this wine is that it’s got some lovely flavour but comes together quite a balanced smooth way."

I would recommend this wine

"We find this a good value and reliable wine. It competes well with wines above this price point. Have bought it many times & never been disappointed. Character & flavour."

I would recommend this wine

"A decent wine but I would not describe it as medium bodied. It is most definitely full in my opinion. Inky, almost black, a bit of liquorice. One to drink with food as the acidic, slightly bitter fruit needs food to balance it. We often have it with takeaway pizza from our local Sicilian pizzeria. Would also work with a juicy steak where this wine would cut through some of the richness. "

"This has been our 'go-to', mid-week, all-purpose, hearty Italian red for a few years now. However, I wouldn't want that to damn it with faint praise: we drink it regularly because it is delicious, reliable and - in our experience - consistent. It's probably not going to change your life but it has never let us down yet. It's a bit like Vivaldi's 'Four Seasons' - quintessentially redolent of the land it comes from and very popular for the simple reason that it's bloody good!"

I would recommend this wine

"Family consensus is that this is not as good as the 2016 blend. Unless the price point is reduced we will not be purchasing more."

"We have ordered the 2016 version twice previously, and found it to be fabulous, smooth and full bodied. No longer available though. This 2017 vintage is nowhere near as good in my view, though you might argue it’s still good value at the price. Not sure though, as you can buy equally good Argentinian Malbec at a similar price from the supermarket. Not sure it deserves ‘The Society’s...’ epithet."

"Bought a case of this wine after enjoying a bottle at a friend's house. I haveb't been disappointed and think that it is excellent value at this price point."

I would recommend this wine

I would recommend this wine

"Very good and good value."

I would recommend this wine

"Excellent wine to drink solo or with food Smooth, balanced and rich, great price too Very easy to drink We normally drink Malbec but this has equal depth Don’t hesitate to try it"

I would recommend this wine

decanter.com 1st Apr 2021

" This guaranteed crowd-pleaser is a perennial favourite at The Wine Society. The Nero d'Avola grape produces a wine with abundant fleshy dark red fruit, ripe and with some oak influence from the 10 months in French barriques. Great, uncomplicated everyday drinking for those who like their red wines smooth, ripe and fruit forward. 90/100 Amy Wislocki"

JancisRobinson.com 31st Mar 2021

" Dark crimson. Slightly tired nose and definitely sweet on the palate. A bit of a hole in the middle and definite tannic grip on the end but I can certainly see that it offers something easy to appreciate and definite maturity for the money. 15.5/20"

Rotherham and South Yorkshire Advertiser 7th Jan 2021

" Great value smooth fragrant red from nero d'Avola. - David Clay"

2016 VINTAGE - MEMBER REVIEWS

"Pleasant good value wine. Nice sour cherry flavours"

Mr Steven Foster (02-Feb-2021)

"Five stars for the quality of this wine at the price, without doubt Appealing deep dark red on appearance, French oak and red fruit on the nose, and smooth with gorgeous black fruits on the palate, and has structure. I agree with the Lynn review amongst the press reviews - do not buy just one bottle - it is not enough :)"

Mr Kevin J Lyons (31-Jan-2021)

"I love this wine. It is completely reliable without ever being boring. A hint of black- cherry dryness to offset the fruit. Perfect with any meat- based pasta dish and not bad at all with a nibble of cheese. A bargain at £8.50."

Mr Mike Owers (28-Jan-2021)

"In the words of my late father-in-law 'its worth a rattle', which was his way of describing wine which met his approval. It has depth and length but you must let it breathe for the wine to display this. Recognisably Italian in style and taste. I would buy again. "

Mr Christopher Peel (09-Jan-2021)

Mr Simon Fell (05-Jan-2021)

"I was expecting this to be really good, but I found it lacking in taste and smoothness. I have had other Sicilian wines which I had enjoyed. Perhaps I did not let it breathe enough, but despite this, I would not reorder this particular wine again"

David P Walkden Esq (26-Dec-2020)

"A little rough and ready. Not bad for £8.50 I guess but a little coarse nonetheless. Won't be a problem to drink the other bottles but wouldn't order again."

Mr Duncan Spooner (15-Dec-2020)

Mr Jonathan Syson (29-Nov-2020)

"This is your dependable local builder. Big and friendly, with coarse hands but a warm smile. Honest and good value. Give him a bit of space and you’ll find out he’s learning to play the piano too. "

Dr Jon Maskill (28-Nov-2020)

"I really enjoyed this wine. Ok it may not be subtle but it’s like putting your slippers on in front of the fire and snuggling down. Lovely luscious warming. "

Mr Mike Gerrard (28-Nov-2020)

Mr Robin Baker (27-Nov-2020)

Mr Robin Baker (27-Nov-2020)

"Great value wine, interesting nose french oak to the fore, nice depth and intensity."

Dr Phil Williams (26-Nov-2020)

"For £8.50 this is a good wine. Others have said to drink with food but we were more than happy drinking with cheese and on it's own. Someone said their partner described it as "like sherry" which I can understand. The fruits are simple, mainly blackcurrant and forest fruits coming through, there's a slight bite to it which is a little disagreeable but not enough to make us dislike the wine, tannins are medium, the oak is light on the palate. Give it a try, it's worth it."

Mr Phil Eckersley (15-Nov-2020)

"Smooth, fragrant, a touch of juicy fruit although pretty heavy - almost full bodied and certainly tastes stronger than 13.5% - recommend with a rich tomato sauce-based food pairing for optimal enjoyment. Nonetheless I'd have no issue quaffing this on its own and good value @ £8.50"

Mr Jose Arevalo (10-Nov-2020)

"Very drinkable!"

Mr James Bowkett (08-Nov-2020)

"This wine is fruit forward, but it is really delicious black and red fruit. The wine has just enough structure to carry it off. Highly recommend you give it a try."

Mr Richard Ward (06-Nov-2020)

"I like Nero d'Avola, and have had a number of different ones, but particularly considering the price point, this is by far the best I've had so far, and my wife completely agrees. It's mellow and round - not adjectives I normally use for this varietal below £15. Just lovely. "

Mr Chris Maude (02-Nov-2020)

Mr Orhan Can Ceylan (30-Oct-2020)

Mr Toby Biggins (19-Oct-2020)

"Fruity medium bodied and glugable red! Tremendous value for money. Works well with meat, cheese and even hearty salads I haven’t tasted a better d’avola red at this price point "

Mr Mike Leigh (08-Oct-2020)

"Great value for money. Nothing complex but plenty of dark fruit characters like blackberries, cherries and hints of prunes. On my nose, I could also tell that it has a bit of savoury notes. Let the bottle breath for 30 mins and if it's to your liking, accompany the red wine with charcuterie and cheese platter. "

Mrs Kelly Joo (25-Sep-2020)

"We drank 2 bottles with a Sunday roast. Probably better suited to med or lighter style food but agree it's a very pleasant slugger. "

Mr Nigel Meadows (20-Sep-2020)

"A wonderful, robust, fruity red that ticks all the boxes."

Mr Charles Yoe (14-Sep-2020)

"Very good food fine and good value for money. "

Mr Colin Mitchell (09-Sep-2020)

"Very nice for a mellow Sunday night. Nicely balanced and savoury for an italian-esque red. Would happily keep a couple on the rack as a staple to accompany food and also drink on its own. Improved having been open for a couple of nights. "

Mr Owen Duffy (06-Sep-2020)

Mr Piers Beckley (03-Sep-2020)

"I like this wine and it is great value. For my wife and her friend, it’s their absolute favourite red wine; they ask me to include it in orders and it soon goes! "

Lt Col R A Robinson (14-Aug-2020)

"If you are looking for an easy-drinking red for a glass with your meal this is it. Medium-bodied with plenty of blackberry and dark plum flavours, Goes well with a steak, but also with a hearty salad of roast peppers, tomatoes, artichokes- the Mediterranean style food. I guess it would be dangerous served on a barbecue, too easy to polish a whole bottle."

Mr Marcelo Pugliese (31-Jul-2020)

"Nothing special. Flat, unstructered uniform palate without any adventure. Indeed, low price."

Mr Andre Hebbelinck (29-Jul-2020)

Mr Bill Stone (25-Jul-2020)

"Very robust, full bodied, masses of flavour. Very good value given that it’s sub-£10. Stood up very well with a Rich ragu and would recommend with Rich and fatty food like that, certainly not an easy drinker by itself, however. "

Dr John Norman (23-Jul-2020)

"I bought this wine as part of a mixed case. A party of 4 tasters gave it an average of 8.25 /10. Will order again."

David C Westoby Esq (22-Jul-2020)

Mr Ian Ayling (17-Jul-2020)

"Just bloody brilliant. "

Mr Killian McCabe (13-Jun-2020)

"Yes it's a slugger, but it perfectly complemented my robust pasta dish. 'Tastes like sherry' was my wife's reaction, but after we'd finished the bottle we both agreed on five stars This is my first of a new case of Society reds so we're off to a good start. Will definitely re-order this one."

Dr David Kiernan (12-Jun-2020)

"So this is a slugger of a wine. And that's sort of the problem. It's only 13.5% but tastes like it's 15%. It's not bad or anything, but I've had other Nero D'Avolas that are much more an Italian claret, medium bodied type of thing (and that's what I was hoping for). Definitely drink this with food. So it's not exactly expensive but it's just not great either; the kind of wine where after one dinner with my wife, we've still got half a bottle of wine left and I'm not especially delighted that that's what we'll be drinking tomorrow night. Sorry not to be more positive."

Rev Robert Stanier (11-Jun-2020)

"Brought this as a random choice and would definitely repeat purchase superb value for money and really enjoyable "

Mr Paul Matthews (04-Jun-2020)

"5 stars for value for money. Good body, reasonable complexity, stands up well to meaty and cheesy pasta dishes and yet goes well with herby salads and with bacon-based cooking. Can’t fault it at this price. Can’t fault it other than pretentiously in any case!"

Anton Edwards Esq (14-May-2020)

"Nice, good value - I preferred the 2015"

Mr Richard Simon (02-May-2020)

2016 VINTAGE - PRESS REVIEWS

Saga Magazine (18th Nov 2020)

"Here's the wine equivalent of a homely recipe you can rustle up in half an hour. A sun-kissed red with spicy fruit; a friendly wine that travels comfortably to the sofa once the plates are cleared away. - Joe Fattorini"

New Law Journal (14th Aug 2020)

" For the money, The Wine Society's Sicilian Red at £8.50 is unbeatable … Dominic Regan  "

Lynn News (28th Jul 2020)

"… a brooding stewed plum and raspberry soaked monster of a wine. The Wine Society's Sicilian Reserve Red (it was obviously the copywriter's day off when they named this one) may be (definitely is) dull of name, but the contents are really quite exciting. About the same size as Sicily, this mighty wine is loaded with dark fruits courtesy of the nero d'Avola grape. If you like big luscious wines that deliver a serious punch, then this is one you really need to try. Oh, one word of warning. Don't by just one bottle. It won't be enough. - Lynn News"

2015 VINTAGE - MEMBER REVIEWS

"Excellent value, very impressive wine. South style: low in tannins, low in acidity, very easy to drink, amazing aroma. Even so it is a little to simple as complexity, but what to expect at this price. Very nice."

Mr Serghei Golban (29-Apr-2020)

"Excellent value, an enjoyable wine that stood up to a strong, flavourful lamb curry. Will be buying again!"

Mr Patrick Deeming (23-Feb-2020)

"Eye: pale ruby Balanced, medium length, medium intensity, medium complexity. Good value!"

Mr Valentin Servel (11-Feb-2020)

"Very nice and drinkable. Good value"

Mr Richard Simon (02-Feb-2020)

"Good value “everyday”wine. "

Mr Matthew Spence (28-Jan-2020)

"I feel a bit harsh leaving only 3 stars, as this is by no means a bad bottle, but I was left slightly disappointed as this 2015 vintage just wasn't as good as the 2014 incarnation, which we'd enjoyed very much, and which was rather fuller-bodied (as others have noted). Nevertheless this is very easy drinking and didn't hang around for long!"

Dr Michael Turner (16-Dec-2019)

"Ordered on a recommendation in Counsel magazine, and really enjoyed. Mellow, drinkable, and stood up very well to a pricier Cabane we had with dinner. Will order more shortly, and expect this to become a staple."

Mr Piers Doggart (11-Dec-2019)

"Not bad but certainly not as good as the 2014 or 2013. It felt a little light compared to the earlier vintages, lacking the full fruity warmth and body and the touch of spice that I'd really liked. I wouldn't buy another 2015 but hopefully the 2016 will return this one to winning ways."

Mr Peter Hammersley (08-Dec-2019)

"Mid crimson red. Nose was quite restrained at first but opened up a bit later with some baked fruit and cherries. Tasted a bit less generous than I remembered, with quite a bit of tannin, albeit balanced off by acidity and less so by fruit. Went well with a slightly spicy pasta dish , although maybe not the crowd pleaser that the 2013, which was definitely a bit more smooth and generous. Three stars for now, will be interested to see if the remaining bottles soften a little. "

Mr Mark Colman (30-Nov-2019)

"Just bought another case. One of the best reds at this price point and great with ragout!"

Mr Jacopo Levi Morenos (26-Nov-2019)

"An everyday wine which we will buy again"

Mr Steven Foster (01-Nov-2019)

Mr Paul Emery (31-Oct-2019)

"Vibrant Crimson in colour, bright berry nose with touch of cedar. Ripe cherry fruit, with some pleasing rancio and gentle tannin. Good length. Would purchase again."

Mr Mathew Arthur (10-Oct-2019)

"This was my first bottle as a new member. I’m very pleased, since if this is a sign of things to come, I’ve made a great decision! Smooth, full of fruit and a really relaxing and enjoyable first taste."

Mr James Bowkett (02-Sep-2019)

"Such a surprise, so delightful. Soft, warm and fruity-a complete summer star."

Dr Charles M Johnstone (29-Aug-2019)

"I've just finished half a case of this Sicilian red over the last month or so, pairing it with robust tomato-based pastas or bbq lamb and the like and have found it to be a great value, well-rounded red with plenty of black cherry fruit , with a subtle floral note (rose?) and a touch of tannin and oak to add some dimension and complexity. It's not showy, but if you have a few friends round for a BBQ in the garden, it's perfect, or for an informal family dinner. "

Mr Mike Oehlers (09-Aug-2019)

"Sorry my last review was for my own notes, forgot to un-click the public box. Hence poor spelling! This is a nice wine though although la Ferla is better I think once it has breathed for an hour or so. "

Mr Neil Macrae (05-Aug-2019)

"Just a touch to acidic, la ferla better"

Mr Neil Macrae (05-Aug-2019)

"Lovely,smooth quaffable Sicilian red"

Mr Ken Randles (12-Jun-2019)

"This is an ok wine but not as good as the 2014. Not nearly the same level of fruit and concentration. If you want big fruit from southern Italy maybe look at Puglia rather than this."

Mr Ben Stringer (04-May-2019)

"Gorgeous. Warming. Mouth filling. Really good everyday red. My go to wine. Very pleased. "

Mr Angus Dunn (29-Apr-2019)

"I am sorry I did not enjoy this wine at all."

Mrs Gillian Craven (26-Apr-2019)

"Lovely and smooth, with a great balance of sweetness and slight oakiness. Made me want to keep on taking another sip - a very relaxing wine. "

Mr Mark Braithwaite (18-Mar-2019)

2015 VINTAGE - PRESS REVIEWS

The Simple Things (1st Mar 2020)

"[Matching a recipe for hogget stew with rye berries and spring vegetables, herby potato salad and wild garlic gremolata] With hogget you need something rich in fruit, light in structure and classy. This hits all the buttons and is great value to boot. It's rich enough to match the lamb, Italian enough to cope with the garlic, yet light enough not to overpower the delicate herby flavours. "

The Times (24th Aug 2019)

"Lip-smacking red made from nero d’avola grapes, aged partly in French oak barrels, with rich, bold red berry fruit. - Jane MacQuitty"

Saga Magazine (23rd Jul 2019)

"Some of the wine world's best-value wines come from Sicily. [This} is a perennial favourite with members. A smooth, rich red with fragrant dark fruits. - Joe Fattorini"

The Daily Mail (25th May 2019)

"I rather like the bold, powerful stance that this juicy red takes on the palate. It is structured, but not too pushy and the fruit is lush and not in any way sweet or gloopy.  A perfect match for the [Sunday Brunch Cookbook's] cauliflower cheese tarts, this is an impressive Sicilian thoroughbred. - Matthew Jukes"

2014 VINTAGE - MEMBER REVIEWS

"Not a popular wine with my children, on whom I have tried to palm it off. Perhaps they are a bit spoiled, as we usually open our best bottles when they visit. Almost always claret, Languedoc or a Muga or Toro. Perhaps it’s just too rich and exotic - there’s a musky note, a touch of Parma violets. One certainly can’t fault the wine on grounds of misrepresentation. It’s full bodied, full flavoured and strong, built for food. But I won’t be reordering."

Sir Kieran Prendergast (29-May-2019)

"Not terrible but not to my taste. My Australian cousin enjoyed it though and did a good job at glugging the bottle."

Mr Phillip Henry (27-Mar-2019)

"A good easy-drinking red. More medium bodied than full. Red berries for me, cherry & oak. Doesn't cling to the glass much. Would go well with a summer bbq. A good wine for guests. I would normally rate as a *** but at £8.25 this is good value so gets an extra *."

Mr Mike Dawson (14-Mar-2019)

"We come back to this time after time. For the price this is superb. "

Miss Emily Bosson (10-Mar-2019)

"Fantastic Sicilian Red - A wine of great character! Complemented my Italian Wife’s homemade Lasagne (she added a glug to the sauce) Highly recommended - Well Done Sebastian Payne MW"

Mr Malcolm J Davies (10-Mar-2019)

"I have just had my first Glass. We drink our wine with a meal. Drinking half the bottle at one meal and the rest at the next. It is a most enjoyable wine . The sort where i would like drink the whole bottle in one go. Its a wine with substance. It has a lot of body to it . It leaves a nice after glow. I shall certainly buy some more and more ......!"

Mr Ken Smith (08-Mar-2019)

"I have bought this several times. Good value. Consistent. "

Mr Michael Allchin (04-Mar-2019)

"Even convinced an adamant non-red-wine-drinker to love this wine. Easy drinking smoothness."

Mrs Harriet Barr (12-Feb-2019)

"Simply stunning value for money. Drinks like a £15 plus wine. "

Mr Tim Chater (27-Jan-2019)

"Good ripe blackcurrant, clove, oak and hints of chocolate. M- acid - a bit too flabby, with soft, fading tannin. It does’t taste anything like a nero d’avola, but rather a new world cab. "

Mr Andrei Berechet (11-Jan-2019)

"This is a really nicely flavoured smooth wine which can be enjoyed either with food or without. Not heady at all so if you like a 'light' red with lots of flavour then give this wine a try."

Mr James Atkinson (01-Jan-2019)

"Surely I’ve reviewed this already? It’s just incredible for £8.25. Robust but surprisingly elegant for a southern Italian red. "

Mr Edward Bogira (18-Dec-2018)

"This is a great value red! A very smooth, full flavoured example of Nero d'Avola."

Mr Ray Seneviratne (09-Dec-2018)

"Enjoyed this Good solid Sicilian - nice, robust Recommended"

Mr Steven Foster (09-Dec-2018)

"Exceeded my expectations - agree with others. Very enjoyable Italian and something the Society has got right (again) with its own. Good for family supper with bowls of pasta."

Mr Thomas Vail (21-Nov-2018)

"Top tip: Decant, or if impatient like me run this through a wine aerator and it will be well integrated, interesting, delicious, and a bargain. Drink it straight from the bottle without allowing any oxidation and it will seam a missed opportunity flawed but very enjoyable wine that misses the mark. Result: a new staple for me. Finely balanced, very tasty and great value. Refreshingly it's a red wine that doesn't trigger headaches for me."

Mr Russell Craig (21-Nov-2018)

"What a treat! Refreshingly fruity, seductively quaffable. Sicilian sunshine in a bottle. First met nero d' variety on holiday in Sicily. This is a superb example. Worthy of Montalbano! Well done Sebastian."

Mr Colin Cheetham (16-Nov-2018)

"Excellent as it is and even better at the price. Robust structure, rich cherry fruit and light tannin make this a great drink on its own or with game, tomato and hearty dishes "

Mr Hugo Allen-Stevens (23-Oct-2018)

"In the past 12 months, my family and friends (mostly family ) have managed to drink 96 bottles of this wine .......it is fabulous value and one of the holy grails of finding a sub £10 bottle of wine that drinks way way beyond its price point ........best value society red since the Ripasso Torre del Falasco .....leave it open for a couple of hours before quaffing .....enjoy !"

Mr Michael Gould (17-Oct-2018)

"I have been drinking Nero d'Avola for a number of years now. It happens to be the cheapest wine on the modest list of a chain of pizza parlours that my wife and I patronise. In my opinion, this wine is greatly under-valued in this country so I congratulate the society for selecting and offering it at ninety-nine pounds a dozen. My advice is to buy it before it becomes more popular and reaches a price to match its quality."

Mr Paul Bonsor (23-Aug-2018)

"This is an absolute belter - very full-bodied and quite rich... I will definitely be purchasing again. The only 'draw-back' is that you may gave to be careful about food partners as it does pack a punch."

Mr Kevin Hewitt (20-Aug-2018)

"Full-bodied, dark fruit flavoured inky wine. Attractive nose, appropriate level of tannins, a touch of cherry and coffee on the finish. A good example of Nero d'Avalo. Recommended. "

Mr John Lay (07-Aug-2018)

"This is great - fruity and smooth - a real session wine!! We had a blind wine tasting and this came out top"

Mr Mark Schoen (05-Aug-2018)

"Bought a case of this recently at the special offer price, having been repeatedly impressed by the 2013. This is just as good, though some subtle variations from the previous vintage I think, perhaps a little softer but retains the full flavoured quite complex fruity palate and remains an extremely drinkable and versatile food wine. One of the best in the range. Well done. "

Mr Mark Colman (23-Jul-2018)

"Very nice perfume and fruit as promised but on the evening of opening the bouguet was strangely separate from the body of the wine. Better net day when the whole was more integrated."

Mr Tristan Ward (01-Jul-2018)

Mr Roberto Raio (30-Jun-2018)

"This is my favourite wine from the society right now and great value. Sicilian wine is a hidden gem and this bottle is no exception, I’ve now moved to buying this by the case!"

Mr Chris Howard (27-Jun-2018)

"Came across this grape variety in an Italian a few months ago. A lot of Italian wines seem a bit thin too me but was impressed by this - the best way I can find to describe it is fruity - seems on my limited exposure to the style to be a very good example of the Nero D'Avola grape. "

Mr Stewart Cusworth (16-May-2018)

"Excellent value for money, this is not to be missed! Its deep, full bodied, very fragrant and lightly perfumed with cherry cola, black plums and berries , a kick on the back palate of strong black coffee. Cannot find anything wrong with this wine."

Ms Leah Newman (01-May-2018)

"Very impressed by this vintage. Medium bodied with a light oak flavour coming through. Rich, fruity and warming."

Mr Tom Rodger (28-Apr-2018)

"Tried for the first time the other night a loved it, very smooth a full of flavour especially vanilla. Was very popular at the dinner party. 5 stars for the price."

Mr Robert Hanlon (26-Apr-2018)

"Really impressed with this wine, a classic of the area, nicely balanced with a clean fruity aftertaste, will be reordering."

Mr Martin Reeves (11-Apr-2018)

2014 VINTAGE - PRESS REVIEWS

The Daily Mail (3rd May 2018)

"Worth the Wine Society £40 joining fee — because this is one of the best sub-£10 bottles of red around. Made from Sicily’s Nero d’Avola grape, it’s full of ripe, bramble flavours. Food pairing: meaty pasta dishes. - Helen McGinn"

Liverpool Echo (17th Apr 2018)

"I sipped this with a wine geek pal and we both went ooooh, nice! It is made from the nero d'Avola grape and is partly aged in French oak with another 12 months in bottle. It is rich and fruity with spice, plums, lavender, vanilla and a cherry on top. - Jane Clare"

Aberdeen Evening Express (14th Apr 2018)

"Smooth, generous and mellow red, made from carefully selected Nero d'Avola grapes. Aged in oak barrels. Goes well with everything! - Sam Wylie Harris"

2013 VINTAGE - MEMBER REVIEWS

"Very disappointing, as we are keen on Sicilian wine and had been looking forward to trying this one with its attractive and reassuring Wine Society label. Our two bottles did not seem corked but both had a cloying taste, probably from too much oak. Neither had any finesse or acidity. If tasted blind, I would have said it was £5 Aussie supermarket plonk.Only just drinkable we felt, but maybe we are missing something?"

Mr David M Rowlands (06-Apr-2018)

"Loads of cherry drop sweets on the nose and palate and the high acidity you'd expect. A touch on the connected side for my taste but still not bad value."

Miss Madelaine Riley (22-Feb-2018)

"I have enjoyed many Southern Italian Red Wines over the years and have added this one to the list of Red Wine that I'll be buying again! It is a soft fruity red that has the slightest hint of oak, Plum and Cherries associated with Italian Reds made with Nero D'Avola grapes. My food matches would include Pizza, Pasta, Meatballs and Cassoulet. It is a Wine that can also be enjoyed without food though! Add a bottle to your next order and try a decent Italian Red!"

Mr Colin Bell (18-Feb-2018)

"As the rating guide said "(great) for some but one that (one) might think twice about buying again""

Mr Neil Perry (24-Dec-2017)

"A decent every-day Siciian red, full bodied, gutsy with loads of fruit. Goes well with with pasta and pizza (well it would, wouldn't it!) but a reasonable glass on its own without food! BUT if you like this one, try the W.Soc's Incanto Merlot-Nero d'Avola, Terre Siciliane 2016... the added merlot smooths it somewhat and adds just a little bit more roundness and character. Happily put both on my re-order list."

Mr George Clothier (12-Dec-2017)

"Fabulous everyday red - it feels a bit more special that what you'd expect for approx £8. The Biferno Rosso Riserva Palladino is similarly priced and equally good - you can't go wrong with 6 of each!! (much, much better than many supermarket brands for the same price)"

Mr Samuel McCullen (04-Dec-2017)

"Good, full bodied. Worth £8.25."

Ms Alys Elphick (30-Nov-2017)

"Disappointing after all the positive reviews here. I found it full (almost too full) of fruit - cherries predominately, but no depth whatsoever. Its a bit like a cheap Merlot (not my bag), smooth but without substance. Now destined for the saucepan."

Mr S M Pickard (17-Nov-2017)

"Please add 5 stars to my recent review (dated Oct. 14th) - I should have waited till the effect had worn off :-)"

Mr Alan Pieroni (17-Oct-2017)

"Fruit Overdose !!! Love It. Fresh penne pasta with a tomato & olive sauce, grated pecorino cheese, black pepper and oodles of Sicilian Red - Saturday evenings do not get any better !! "

Mr Alan Pieroni (14-Oct-2017)

"Excellent as it is an even better at the price. My go to wine Robust structure, rich cherry fruit and light tannin make this a great drink on its own or with game, tomato and hearty dishes "

Mr Hugo Allen-Stevens (04-Oct-2017)

"Bags of fruit , the right amount of oak, a hint of spiciness . I enjoyed this , and so did my s.o. Accompanied my Italian meatballs, a slightly spicy tomato ssauce and pasta. Perfect partners"

Mr Frederick Matthews (30-Sep-2017)

"Smooth, rounded, bold and masses of black fruit. Buy this wine!"

Mr Callum Montgomery (18-Sep-2017)

"Brilliant value for money red. Smooth, rounded, and full"

Mr Tarquin Jones (25-Aug-2017)

"I would certainly recommend this wine - it's lovely and round and supple with a good balance between fruit and tannin. To my mind it's good value and I would be pleased to drink it with an informal evening meal, with cheese, or on its own - and I would be equally happy to offer it to friends to accompany a comfy dinner party meal."

Mr Julian Edgington (16-Aug-2017)

"This went head to head in an impromptu blind wine tasting against the Maclaren Vale Blind Spot. The unanimous verdict was a clear win for the Sicilian. A warm, gentle, smooth "fruit bomb" Outstanding."

Mr Roger Brooke (11-Jul-2017)

Mrs Harriet Barr (30-Jun-2017)

"Lovely and fruity with distinct vanilla. Thick and juicy. Slips down all too easily. Quite high in tannins, but not so that overwhelms the lovely flavour of the Nero D'Avola. This one screams 'you are drinking red wine!'. 5 stars for a very good wine well under a tenner."

Mr Peter Nelson (24-Jun-2017)

"Beautifully deep and rich, but not too heavy, lots of fruit and a good finish, very good balance of dryness/richness Will definitely buy again"

Mr Roddy Wallace (24-Jun-2017)

"Very enjoyable and full of flavour. Will happily buy again."

Dr Fiona M Porter (20-Jun-2017)

"A really good glass of wine for the money, lots of bang for the buck. Goes with a lot of dishes but its unfussiness is part of its appeal, if you know what I mean! Mellow,stone fruit flavours ,(cherries rather than plums/damsons )but with a good clean balanced acidity to refresh the palate. Yes, a good buy."

Mr R William C McCann (08-Jun-2017)

"Scrumptious."

Mr Michael J Welch (07-Jun-2017)

"This is a lovely well balanced wine which goes well with grilled meats. At this price I recommend you try this wine. i will definitely be getting some more."

Prof James Bell (07-Jun-2017)

"Very nice, mellow and easy drinking"

Mr Owen Wright (21-May-2017)

"Have been lusting over this one for a while and decided to take the plunge and buy half a dozen. Very deep in colour with a rich aroma of cherry. Opened the first bottle midweek which didn't do the wine justice as those tannins didn't help me get up the next morning. The second bottle went very well with some time to breathe and some BBQ food though. As others have said lots of wine and fruit for the price but not sure its for me but that is not the fault of the wine (its the fault of having so much choice at this price point!)"

Mr Simon Mountjoy (21-May-2017)

"Ordering a second case is telling me this is a wine everyone enjoyed as a kind of go to choice that is elevated above many middle of the road 'value' options in supermarkets and the like. What stand out for me is that despite its climatic warmth and good richness, this is no over-fruited jammy dodger, but has good balance and a distinct, likeable character. If I was being a bit uncharitable I might describe the bitter cherry note on the nose as almond essence, but decanting for half an hour smooths this out nicely."

Mr William Ostrom (15-May-2017)

"Great value go-to red. Not as powerful as a Primitivo (not a bad thing sometimes!) but definitely not lacking in flavour. Fab with anything Italian - pizza, pasta, tomatoes, Parmesan (which really brings out the oak)."

Mr Graeme Parnell (13-May-2017)

"Truly excellent value wine, thoroughly recommend it. More and more Italy seems to produce value for money. I am so glad Mr. Payne is still around to dig up these gems after so many years with the Society."

Mr Richard F Lloyd (23-Apr-2017)

"Quite strong flavours in this wine with dark red fruits, a bit of spice, some tannin but still managing to stay reasonably smooth. Softened further after being left to breathe. Given the price, 3.5 to 4 stars for this wine. Went well with roast vegetable lasagne, especially the taste of roasted peppers, tomatoes and aubergines. I would recommend this wine as good value for money."

Mrs Sarah-Lynn Spruzen (27-Mar-2017)

"I have never really thought the Society's range lived up to expectations and previous reviews as they often disappoint but this is the exception. Really good to drink on its own especially if you decant first and great with pasta & tomato based sauces. Decent drinkable wine and due to its good value for money I give it 3.5 - 4 out of 5. Well done to the buyer on this one."

Mr Terry Bates (18-Feb-2017)

"There's plenty of flavour for your money', it says on the label. And they're not wrong. Deep, fruity scent that carries through to the flavour, where it is joined by hints of chocolate and cedar for an all-round very decent bottle for the price. "

Mr Addam Merali-Hosiene (12-Feb-2017)

"On the 2013 vintage. I didn't enjoy this much as some of the other reviewers. It's fine: reasonably smooth, but, for me, a slightly clunky use of oak gives it a synthetic rather than integrated touch of vanilla. Decent value."

Rev Robert Stanier (04-Feb-2017)

"Delicious and very good value. Do decant and let it breathe before drinking as this really brings out the flavours."

Mr Rory Bremner (16-Dec-2016)

"Dark fruits/flavours and some earthiness. Obviously a good value for money wine but too sweet for me to properly enjoy."

Mr Anthony O'Halloran (07-Dec-2016)

Mr Eain Green (25-Nov-2016)

"Excellent, another great Society wine. Definate buy again,"

Mr Gordon Allan (20-Nov-2016)

"This is an excellent wine, and very food friendly and versatile. It wears its alcohol content relatively lightly, but has a density and complexity of flavour not often found at this price. It is not obviously Italian in the way that some mainland reds are, but more subtle with the notes of bitter cherry/dark chocolate but these are not dominant, and the wine shows different nuances on the second and even third day of drinking (if it lasts that long). I would strongly recommend it."

Mr Mark Colman (11-Nov-2016)

"Very good value for money. Deep flavoured wine that will support hearty food but it will not overpower it as some wines from the hotter regions can."

Mr Nicholas Monk (28-Oct-2016)

"Amazing value."

Mr Duraiswamy S Rajan (28-Oct-2016)

"I was introduced to the nero d’avola grape while on holiday in Sicily and this is an excellent example at a reasonable price. Although I don’t disagree with the Society’s suggested food matchings, I particularly enjoyed this style of wine with a plate of grilled sardines"

Dr Charles Oxley (24-Oct-2016)

"Imagine a good Montepulciano D'Abruzzo, add much more flavour and rich/dark colour,it's an excellent Nero D'Avola Grape grown in the intense Sicilain sun so has really ripened. A truly fabulous wine, I strongly advise you to buy it !"

Mr Simon Lindsay-Watson (28-Sep-2016)

"Thought I'd have a punt on this for a midweek with pasta wine. Lots of quality for the price, and none of the sweet jammy fruit I feared. Nice secondary aromas and a long finish. Best of the southern Italian reds I've had so far."

Mr James Brown (24-Sep-2016)

"This refers to the 2012 vintage. A smooth, mellow, easy drinking wine with plenty of fruit on offer. Will be ordering a bottle or two of the latest vintage, a bargain at the price'"

Dr Brian Carr (09-Sep-2016)

"5 star at this price: wonderful dark cherry fruit with a touch of bitter chocolate and velvety tannins."

Mr Richard Holmes (31-Aug-2016)

"Excellent! Full-bodied, rounded, and elegant. Most enjoyable with any appropriate food."

Mr John Riddell (20-Aug-2016)

Mr Justin Webb (11-Aug-2016)

"Very smooth easy drinking however too bland for me."

Mr William Baxter (09-Aug-2016)

"I proposed a friend as a member of TWS and he repaid the favour by introducing me to this. An absolute belter, especially at the price. Now rivalling the Bricco Rosso Suagna as my favourite Wine Society offering. Big and bold, mellowed by good use of oak. Perfect for a summer BBQ or in front of a winter fire."

Mr Guy Laister (16-Jul-2016)

"Nice.....well rounded and not over oaked...."

Mr Robert Summers (20-Jun-2016)

"Another wine that punches above it's weight. It really is worth paying an extra couple of pounds over the sub £6 wines that I find are a bit plain and ordinary."

Mr Jason Mossman (14-Jun-2016)

2013 VINTAGE - PRESS REVIEWS

The Observer (18th Feb 2018)

" … partly aged in barrels giving a little more richness … Olly Smith  "

Decanter (3rd Jan 2018)

"Made from nero d'Avola sourced from Ragusa and Agrigento. Rich with plum and red berry fruits, this is soft, uncomplicated and comforting. I’m Italy they'd call it a 'salami wine' and I think that it would work well with a barbecue. - Simon Reilly"

Decanter (5th Jun 2017)

"A great-value, well-rounded nero d'Avola, this is sure to go down well at your summer barbecue. It's smooth, juicy and packed with bright red plum and blackberry fruit and sweet spices. It's elegant and easy-going but above all very refreshing. The perfect quaffable red. - Christelle Guibert"

Yorkshire Post (13th May 2017)

"Dark flavoured nero d'Avola grapes make for mellow soft-centred drinking. Perfect with grilled lamb. - Christine Austin"

The Wine Gang (2nd May 2017)

"A new vintage since we last reviewed this southern Italian classic, and little has changed in terms of its juicy, easy-going appeal, with its ripe black plums, a squeeze of raspberry and a chocolatey depth that finishes refreshing in a slightly sour manner. Mangiamo!. - The Wine Gang"

JancisRobinson.com (9th Aug 2016)

"Deep garnet. Rich aroma of black cherry, and lithe but chewy tannins. Lots of wine and fruit for the price, another good all-rounder and good value. 15.5/20"

joannasimon.com (27th Jul 2016)

" Baked cherry-pie flavours, soft tannins and a sour-cherry kick from nero d'Avola grapes. - Joanna Simon "

yorkmix.com (16th Jul 2016)

" Cracking value and a perfect match for those burgers and bangers. It’s made from the Nero d’Avola grape, which is very widely grown in Sicily and not totally dissimilar to shiraz in taste. It is smooth with juicy flavours of brambles, raspberries, plums and some peppery spice on the finish. 18/20 Mike Tipping "

Scotland on Sunday (17th Jun 2016)

" Modern Sicialian winemakers are rapidly changing the face of that island's everyday wine by creating this type of excellent, full and mellow (but surprisingly soft) red. Enjoy in particular its floral black cherry and loganberry fruit with firm tannin and gentle acidity supplemented by touches of chocolate, tobacco and savoury herbs. - Brian Elliott  "

matchingfoodandwine.com (15th Jul 2016)

" Big, boisterous but not in any way crude. Perfect for pizza and gutsy pasta sauces with tomatoes, aubergines or olives. - Fiona Beckett "

Sheffield Profile (1st Jul 2016)

" Smooth, and Sicilian, sum up this great value wine, a mellow option at any time of year; with plenty of flavour for your money.  "

Belfast Sunday Life (3rd Jul 2016)

"For a BBQ red with a difference, here's an offer you can't refuse from Sicily ... Sicily is known for its interesting and great value wines and this one is a smooth, juicy, mellow red, full of black fruit aromas and flavours and plenty of structure - a great value red to impress. - Paula Gracey"

The Portsmouth News (18th Jun 2016)

"When it comes to a tasty, midweek red, [this] really overdelivers. Sicily is increasingly becoming a source for great value reds made from local, indigenous grape varieties. This is made from Nero d'Avola from the south coast of the island. It’s smooth and generous with dark red fruits and spicy, savoury notes and some earthiness on the finish. Try with a tomato-based pasta dish or rustic pizza. Delicious. - Alistair Gibson"

Shropshire Star (13th Jun 2016)

"Sicily has become known as a source for interesting great value wines from local grape varieties. A smooth, generous and mellow red with plenty of flavour for the money. - Sam Wylie Harris"

York Press (11th Jun 2016)

"The Wine Society has a new 2013 red in its own-brand range which we reckon is rather good as an affordable, cheery, everyday drink which you won't find elsewhere. Sicily has become known for some great value wines from local grapes and this, priced at £7.50, is a good example, much like the 2012 vintage that was brought in last year. Made with Nero D'Avola grapes ("black of Avola", giving you a clue about the grape's dark colour) from the windy south coast of the sun-baked island, it is a smooth, mellow drink with enough dark red summer fruit to keep it interesting and a touch of earthiness and pepper to add a bit extra. - Peter Martini"

Sheffield Star (25th May 2016)

" Earthy, deep and muscular with a hint of class and cupcake sweetness that lightens the richness of this great value red. Will go beautifully with steak, barbecued lamb or shepherd's pie and improves overnight if you don't finish it all in one go. As if! SIlly me. - Martin Smith "

Belfast Newsletter (21st May 2016)

" The decadently smooth, mellow and superbly balanced 2013 Society's Sicilian Reserve Red (£7.50 from The Wine Society, visit www.thewinesociety.com or telephone 01438-741177). A generous bouquet promises dark cherry and blackberry flavours before a sumptuous palate wherein more black fruit and summer berries mingle with notes of pepper and lick-your-lips liquorice. Enjoy with meatballs and pasta in a rich tomato sauce. - Raymond Gleug "

2012 VINTAGE - MEMBER REVIEWS

"Good wine. Sweet brambly fruit once it opened up."

Mr Colin Mitchell (30-Apr-2016)

"I very much enjoyed this wine plenty of bramble fruit and taught tannins. It is however quite restrained and I think might benefit from a few years laying down."

Dr David Manley (15-Apr-2016)

"Lovely warm, round, soft and smooth dark southern red- rich, and smokey. Will be buying more."

Mr David Banks (07-Apr-2016)

"Smooth, easy drinking, chocolaty. Thought it worth mentioning it was quite sweet as I wasn't expecting that."

Mr Anthony O'Halloran (09-Mar-2016)

"A rich, fruity nose and a gently spicy and earthy flavour with a tingly, tannic finish."

David J Richards Esq (20-Jan-2016)

"Very smooth and quafable with enough character to be interesting. Pity it is not available."

Reverend Frank Parr (22-Dec-2015)

"I think I must have been 'unlucky' with this. We tried 2 bottles out of a case and both were tannic and very dry; no sign of the smoothness which others identified - and which I was expecting. We've enjoyed Feudo Arancia's own red so were very disappointed with this. Many thanks to the WS for a quibble-free exchange for a different wine. Maybe I'll try the odd bottle in the future to see how different it might be."

Mr Norman Thorp (03-Dec-2015)

"A n easy drinking guzzler with charm. Brimming with deep summer fruits, plums, morochello cherries. Its definitely Sicilian, BUT maybe it was a hot hot summer as it's just a bit too smooth, it just misses the edgy bite of bitterness that i prefer in Nero d'Avola."

Mr James Brown (02-Dec-2015)

"This is an outstanding wine, I cannot recommend it highly enough."

Mr Adam Morris (01-Dec-2015)

"Delicious. Rich flavour yet only 13.5%. Plenty of black fruit taste but not too heavy. Excellent value. "

Mr Peter J H Devlin (28-Nov-2015)

"Congratulations on commissioning the production of this lovely example of Sicilian red wine; flavours of rich prunes and chocolate, delightfully tinged with French oak. Ideal for rich pasta sauces or to complement beef stews. "

Mr Michael Cohen (19-Nov-2015)

2012 VINTAGE - PRESS REVIEWS

thewinegang.com (21st Mar 2016)

"Made from Nero d'Avola grapes and partly aged in French oak barrels, this is full and flavoursome number – a casserole and barbie special with spicy cherry and raisin fruit deepened by a snap of bitter chocolate. 87/100"

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