‘A fantastic buying team that has created a great range at good value prices’The International Wine Challenge

thewinesociety.com/buyers BFAPR16

Tim SykesTim joined The Society in 2012 as head of Buying after 15 years at Enotria, one of the UK’s most successful wine wholesalers, where he was the director of buying. In addition to managing the team, he is now buying the wines of Bordeaux.

Key

- bone dry to intensely sweet screwcap synthetic closure new vintage red wine white wine rosé wine fortified wine sparkling wine

THE INSIDE LINE Keeping an open mind and listening to the advice of somebody who truly knows their field is one of the surest ways of finding enjoyment and discovering wonder in life. What better way is there to discover the treasures of an unknown destination, for instance, than to seek the advice of a local? How do you identify the finest dish on a restaurant’s menu? You ask the chef.

This is the basis of our Buyers’ Favourites offer. We simply asked our experts what they would be drinking at home this summer away from the tasting table. No guidelines; no rules. Just name the three or four wines that will be in their wine racks to enjoy on a warm evening in the garden, or to serve to their friends and families at parties or drink alongside their favourite meals. If the wine is a recent discovery, then all the better; better still if the buyer was so bowled over that they placed a Society label on the wine in question (as they have done in numerous cases).

Selections don’t come any more personal than this. To help you decide we present the wines in categories showing the occasions for which we think they are especially well suited. For a team view, we include five mixed cases, two of which come with £10 savings to encourage you to try something new.

The Society’s Beaujolais-Villages 2014 For me, good Beaujolais is one of the world’s most drinkable red wines and this, made from key villages in the region, is floral, succulent and brimming with red fruit. Pop in the fridge for 10 minutes and serve ‘cellar’ cool. 12.5% Pierre Mansourref BF-BJ6551 £6.75 bottle £81 dozen

Bleasdale Langhorne Crossing Verdelho-Sauvignon 2015 Bleasdale’s zippy blend of bright verdelho with the more tropical sauvignon blanc makes for a very easy garden-party wine. Crisp, fruit-driven and dry, this is fresh from the very good 2015 vintage. At 12.5% it also defies the Australian norm and offers a lovely light glassful. Perfect on its own, or with simple salads, or as an aperitif with olives and nuts. 12.5% Sarah Knowles MWref BF-AU18451 £6.95 bottle £83 dozen

Moscato d’Asti Elio Perrone 2015 Moscato d’Asti is one of Italy’s most heavenly wines. What could be more enticing than a grapy, semi-sweet, semi-sparkling wine with lovely refreshing acidity and just 5% alcohol? This is a wine to be enjoyed whilst sitting in the garden on a warm summer’s evening – no need to match it with food; it is the perfect liquid dessert. 5% Tim Sykesref BF-IT20741 £7.25 bottle £87 dozen

ALFRESCO

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NEW Corent Côtes d’Auvergne Rosé, Saint-Verny 2015 The Auvergne, in southern central France, covers part of the upper Loire, where gamay and pinot noir grapes thrive in mineral-rich volcanic soils. These add an appetising, zesty twist to this gamay rosé’s natural sunny disposition, which is more generous still in the excellent 2015 vintage. A very pale rosé of character but nonetheless delicious for that; ideal for alfresco lunches and suppers. 13.5% Joanna Locke MWref BF-FC29891 £7.95 bottle £95 dozen

The Society’s Vin d’Alsace 2014 Most Alsace wines are from single grape varieties, but this example from the Hugel family bucks the trend. The base is sylvaner, which gives the wine its structure, and added to it is riesling, gewurztraminer and pinot gris with a touch of muscat. It works spectacularly well, producing a full-flavoured dry wine that makes a particularly refreshing aperitif. 12.5% Mark Buckenhamref BF-AL11981 £7.95 bottle £95 dozen

NEW Tabalí Reserva Especial Espinal Limarí Chardonnay 2015 Tasting through a series of new wines last year at Tabalí I was very impressed by this white from a new high-density vineyard, planted with Burgundian clones of chardonnay in a soil with high limestone content. This is brisk, fresh, citric and mineral. Tabalí bottled it especially for us. It has no oak. Imagine the quality after another seven years of vine age! 13.5% Toby Morrhallref BF-CE8811 £9.50 bottle £114 dozen

NEW Corbières Rouge, Domaine du Trillol 2011 This domaine’s story is both simple and wonderful. Peter Sichel, Bordeaux merchant and owner of Château Angludet in Margaux, loved nothing better than hill walking in the southern Corbières. Its remoteness and beauty inspired him. His business sense also told him that there were opportunities here at a time when interest in the Languedoc was just beginning. So he bought the land which became Château de Trillol, where this wine is made. A dark, plummy red made from ripe grenache and syrah with Bordelais expertise used to full advantage in the ageing in small barrels. A full-bodied red perfectly suited to go with a well-seasoned rib of beef cooked on the barbie. 14.5% Marcel Orford-Williamsref BF-FC28731 £9.95 bottle £119 dozen

Te Mata Estate Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2013 I have been introduced to some excellent New Zealand syrah lately but this stood out for me. The charming and inviting nose of ripe juicy black cherry and olive is backed up by a subtle hint of black pepper. An excellent summer red but one which has body and substance. I have watched many friends’ eyes light up when tasting this wine. Now to 2019. 13% Freddy Bulmerref BF-NZ8031 £12.50 bottle £150 dozen

The Society’s Rioja Crianza 2012 I was lucky enough to be with Pierre when he tasted the three samples of this new 2012 vintage, sent over from Spain. By carefully combining samples one and three, in just the right quantities, a delightful blend was created with a balance of plump fruit and firm structure. A true art which has resulted in a delicious wine. 14% Freddy Bulmerref BF-SP11361 £6.95 bottle £83 dozen

NEW Undurraga Cauquenes Estate Maule Viognier-Roussanne-Marsanne 2015 This, along with the Koyle Cerro Basalto featured on page seven, was the discovery of my trip to Chile last year. With water shortages in the north, attention has focused on the south, such as Maule, a warm region perfect for Rhône varieties. This comes from Undurraga’s new estate. Lovely ripe apricot flavours supported by the grip of roussanne and marsanne on the palate. No oak. 14% Toby Morrhall ref BF-CE8571 £6.95 bottle £83 dozen

ALFRESCO CONTINUED

NEW DISCOVERIES

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CONTINUED OVERLEAF...

Sebastian Payne MWSebastian joined The Wine Society in 1973. He served as chief wine buyer from 1985 to 2012 and currently buys The Society’s Italian, Greek and Eastern European wines. He passed the Master of Wine examinations in 1977.

NEW The Society’s Grüner Veltliner 2015 This new addition to The Society’s range showcases the value now possible from Austria’s signature grüner veltliner grape. Produced by one of the oldest wineries in Europe – Stadt Krems – in one of Austria’s strongest vintages, this has all the classic hallmarks of this unusual variety. White pepper and pear on the nose, with a touch of spritz that enhances the freshness of lemon and pear notes on the dry palate. 12% Sarah Knowles MWref BF-AA1841 £7.50 bottle £90 dozen

NEW Blind Spot King Valley Garganega 2015 I think this is one of the most exciting finds in our range this year. Garganega is the Italian grape behind Soave and rarely seen outside Italy. This Australian example is whistle-clean, peachy and light in alcohol with no oak. A moreish aperitif. 12.5% Pierre Mansourref BF-AU18351 £7.50 bottle £90 dozen

NEW Individo Feteasca, Château Vartely 2014 A delightful discovery from an excellent native grape, with sweet fruit, freshness and charm, enhanced by six months in oak barriques. Moldova is keen to sell, and this producer is very good. Let’s take advantage! 14% Sebastian Payne MWref BF-MD51 £7.95 bottle £95 dozen

Three Choirs Payford Bridge 2014 I have worked on blends with winemaker Martin Fowke at this Gloucestershire vineyard over a number of years now. The 2014 crop was one of the best I’ve seen, combining terrific quality and decent volumes. A producer’s dream! It gave us the possibility to craft this new blend of bacchus and reichensteiner and produce an ideal crisp white with a touch of gooseberry freshness and reasonable alcohol. 11.5% Mark Buckenham ref BF-EN931 £8.95 bottle £107 dozen

NEW Ventoux, Martinelle 2013 Over the last two or three years, I have been particularly busy scouting in Gigondas. This year I went to see Thierry Faraval at Château la Boussière where, towards the end of an exciting tasting, Thierry suddenly said: ‘But my wife also makes wine; would you like to taste it? ’ I did and this is the result. Ventoux borders Gigondas and is also a wine influenced by cool mountain breezes. It’s a full, spicy red from an eclectic mix of grapes that even includes a little viognier, though grenache dominates. Alfresco cooking in France usually comes under the term grillade and this would be a perfect accompanying red, served just on the cool side. 14% Marcel Orford-Williamsref BF-RH41331 £9.95 bottle £119 dozen

Crémant de Limoux Cuvée Saint-Laurent Antech 2013 I discovered this sparkling gem thanks to my colleague Marcel, who recommended it for some staff tastings I was preparing. From an estate that’s been family-owned and run for six generations, this wine is local mauzac accompanying chenin blanc and chardonnay. It’s a delicate yet characterful dry fizz, light and refreshing on the palate, mixable, adaptable, and quaffable. I still don’t think its label does it justice but that’s no reason to overlook it! Now to 2017. 12% The 2014 follows. Joanna Locke MW ref BF-SG1951 £10.50 bottle £126 dozen

NEW DISCOVERIES CONTINUED

Pierre MansourHaving led our Tastings Team for a number of years, Pierre joined Buying in 2003 and as well as being the Buying manager he covers Spain, sherry, Champagne and Lebanon.

Mark BuckenhamMark joined The Society in 1973. He buys port, Madeira, beer, liqueurs, spirits and English wines. He also sources accessories and oversees quality assurance.

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Joanna Locke MWJoanna became a Master of Wine in 1990 and joined The Society in 2004. Her regions are Loire, Alsace, South Africa and Portugal.

The Society’s Côtes de Gascogne 2015 The wine buying year is full of memorable moments and meals. One of my favourite stops is chez Bernard Daubin in the pretty medieval village of Montreal du Gers in south-west France. Visiting is always an event; he once refused to serve a French presidential candidate. In another life he might have been a King’s musketeer. In this world, however, his buccaneering is confined to the kitchen. Dinner starts with an array of dishes – ham, saucisson and whitebait maybe, and the wine invariably is this white from Château de Tariquet, which we sell as The Society’s Côtes de Gascogne. Tangy, crisp and fruity, it is always delicious and refreshing, perfect with or without food. 2015 is a brilliant vintage here too. 10.5% Marcel Orford-Williamsref BF-FC29781 £5.75 bottle £69 dozen

The Society’s Vinho Verde 2015 My fridge door invariably contains a bottle of this super fresh crowd pleaser of a wine, ready chilled for emergencies. Vinho verde was fashionable in the 1970s when it tended to be slightly sweet and frankly not very appetising. Thankfully the region, in north-west Portugal, has undergone a renaissance in recent years and The Society’s Vinho Verde is a fine and very affordable example of the new wave of dry, crisp, spritzy and refreshing white wines now being made. 2015 is a particularly good vintage. 11.5% Tim Sykesref BF-PW5581 £5.95 bottle £71 dozen

Salvaje del Moncayo Garnacha 2014This fruity, soft and lifted red is quite different from the big, powerful garnachas that much of Spain is famous for. Lighter in structure and alcohol, its lovely vibrant cherry flavour, light tannins and juicy finish make it an eminently drinkable red for larger gatherings. 13.5% Pierre Mansourref BF-SP10631 £6.95 bottle £83 dozen

Côtes-du-Rhône, Domaine Jaume 2014 Côtes-du-Rhône is a favourite in our household and this blend from the Jaume family in Vinsobres never fails to hit the spot. It has upfront fruit and is smoothly finished with a hint of spice. An essential staple bottle in any collection, always readily approachable. 13.5% The 2015 follows. Mark Buckenham ref BF-RH40481 £7.25 bottle £87 dozen

NEW The Society’s Sicilian Reserve Red 2012Sicily is one of my favourite places. The country, sun and sea are beautiful. There is so much to stimulate the imagination in its history, and the food and wines are delicious. This barrel-aged nero d’Avola, a native grape so well-suited to the climate, is a lovely reminder of holidays with its warm ripe fruit and appetising flavour. 13.5% Sebastian Payne MWref BF-IT20651 £7.50 bottle £90 dozen

PARTY FAITHFUL

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CONTINUED OVERLEAF...

Freddy Bulmer Freddy joined The Society in 2013 having previously worked with independent wine merchants. Before becoming trainee buyer last September Freddy had spent two years in Member Services. He became The Champagne Academy’s youngest ever diploma holder in 2013.

Stoneburn Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015 Jane Hunter OBE is well known to Society members for producing our Exhibition Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc as well as the award-winning Hunter’s wines. She is also the driving force behind Stoneburn, accounting for its exceptional value, and extraordinary consistency. The 2015 is very aromatic with fresh lemon and passionfruit notes, dry and crisp with more citrus flavours developing on the palate and continuing on the refreshing finish. 13% Sarah Knowles MWref BF-NZ8581 £7.95 bottle £95 dozen

NEW Koyle Costa Cuarzo Rapel Coastal Sauvignon Blanc 2015 Sauvignon blanc is the new gin and tonic: dry, refreshing and pleasing to all comers and perfect for parties. This is a taut, nettle-leaf-scented Chilean sauvignon from a cool vineyard near the Rapel coast at Paredones. Ideal with sausages on sticks, salsas (the kind you eat), hummus dips and suchlike. 13% Toby Morrhallref BF-CE8591 £7.95 bottle £95 dozen

Château Monconseil Gazin, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2012 One for a lunch or supper party, this claret has enough stuffing to handle barbecued or chargrilled meats but its 2012 softness means similarly cooked fish should work well too. I love its hint of something more classic (there’s good structure here too) which hails from the vineyard’s proximity to nearby Bourg that produces naturally firmer wines, and the splash of spicy malbec in the blend. On top of all that, the Baudets are among the most delightful of the Bordeaux producers we work with. 13% Joanna Locke MWref BF-CB4621 £8.50 bottle £102 dozen

Cava Conde de Haro Brut 2012 So good that both Tim (Sykes) and I wanted to feature this as one of our favourites. I would argue that this is one of the best-value sparkling wines out there: true class and Champagne-like finesse but at a much more accessible price, making it perfect for impressing party guests. 12.5% Freddy Bulmerref BF-SG2011 £11.95 bottle £143 dozen

Bricco Rosso Suagnà Langhe Rosso 2010 Family and friends discovered this bargain buy a few vintages back, and the 2010 continues its success. It is a mix of predominantly dolcetto (the speciality of this northern Italian producer) for fruit, with nebbiolo, which adds bouquet and a touch of class. Winemaker Gianni Marchisio has a magic touch. We discussed the latest performance of his opera-singer son last time we met and enjoyed a bottle together over a plate of delicious prosciutto, salami and crusty bread. 13.5% Sebastian Payne MWref BF-IT20661 £7.50 bottle £90 dozen

Picpoul de Pinet, Domaine Félines-Jourdan 2015 A favourite in the Sykes household, and increasingly the darling of the restaurant trade for by-the-glass listing, Picpoul de Pinet could be considered the Muscadet of the south of France. Crisp and bone dry, the wine does not exhibit a great deal of personality on the nose but it has delicate fruit flavours and an appealing texture in the mouth which make it the perfect accompaniment to shellfish and other seafood. 12.5% Tim Sykesref BF-FC29851 £8.50 bottle £102 dozen

PARTY FAITHFULCONTINUED

FOOD & WINE

Marcel Orford-WilliamsMarcel has been with The Society since 1986. He buys Rhône, southern and regional France, Germany and rosé wines.

Pedroncelli Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2014 Last time I was in Sonoma, I went for pizza with Jim Pedroncelli and we enjoyed a bottle of his pinot. Planted in the Russian River Valley, these vines have an enviable location that was hailed in the Californian pinotphile movie Sideways. Remarkably though, this wine is at an everyday price, proving that there is still great value to be had with the right producers in such hot regions. Cherry scented with tart redcurrant flavours and earthy spice developing, this medium-bodied dry red cuts through fat well, making it ideal with pizza or antipasti. Now to 2018. 14% Sarah Knowles MW ref BF-US6451 £10.50 bottle £126 dozen

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Sarah Knowles MWSarah qualified as a Master of Wine last year. She buys our Australian, New Zealand, North American and Austrian wines.

Domaine Jones Blanc, Grenache Gris Côtes Catalanes 2014 I have known Katie Jones for many years and helped (or hindered) during the 2013 harvest, so her wines are very dear to me. Grenache gris picked from old vines, which are overlooked by the Cathar Castle of Queribus, have produced this herbaceous, full and round wine with real charm. The perfect match for Gordon Ramsay’s recipe for prawn spaghetti in a creamy tomato sauce. I like to decant it 20 minutes or so before serving. Now to 2018. 13.5% Freddy Bulmerref BF-FC28181 £13.50 bottle £162 dozen

The Society’s Exhibition Crusted Port, Bottled 2007 Crusted port is a peculiarly British style. It is a blend of ruby ports from different vintages which spend two or more years ageing in large wooden vats. It is then bottled with no filtration and cellared for three years before being released for sale. It does require decanting. This blend is from the Fonseca stable, and it has the grip and upfront fruit that you would expect from a vintage port but at a much keener price. The perfect glass to accompany a rich chocolate dessert or the cheeseboard. Now to 2022. 20% Mark Buckenhamref BF-PN191 £13.95 bottle £167 dozen

Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese, von Kesselstatt 2008 Good riesling from the Mosel is quite unlike anything else and has its place among my personal favourites. For me, this is rarely about food matching though a younger version will happily cope with, for example, South-East Asian cooking. A mature riesling is often best enjoyed for its own sake, shared with friends (though not too many!). Traditional Mosel riesling often has sweetness to balance out the searing acidity though with bottle age, sugar and acidity reach perfect harmony. Alcohol tends to be low making these wines easy to drink and on a warm spring day, there is nothing quite like it to refresh both body and soul. Now to 2020. 7.5% Marcel Orford-Williamsref BF-GE8591 £14.95 bottle £179 dozen

Domaines Lupier El Terroir Garnacha 2010 I was really impressed when I visited this small set up in Navarra. Husband-and-wife team Enrique Basarte and Elisa Úcar are specialists in garnacha and they own some of the oldest vines in Navarra (dating back to 1903) and craft a serious, fine and velvety expression that is shaking up the fine wine scene in Spain. Still youthful this has the structure and depth to age easily to 2021. Try with slow cooked beef stew. 14.5% Pierre Mansourref BF-SP11131 £14.95 bottle £179 dozen

Koyle Cerro Basalto Alto Colchagua 2013 Chile has successfully covered most grape varieties in its varying climates, the Rhône varieties excepted. But these are coming now. Viticulturist Cristobal Undurraga has steep vineyards planted on hills of decomposed granite, where the poor soil produces low yields of naturally concentrated fruit. This is his superb blend of mourvèdre, grenache, syrah and carignan. Now to 2022. 14% Toby Morrhallref BF-CE8621 £16.50 bottle £198 dozen

To order thewinesociety.com/buyers 01438 741177

BUYERS’ FAVOURITES DISCOVERIES CASE A six-bottle case, including free UK delivery, containing one bottle of each of the following:

SPARKLINGCrémant de Limoux Cuvée Saint-Laurent Antech 2013/2014

WHITES Domaine Jones Blanc, Grenache Gris Côtes Catalanes 2014

Three Choirs Payford Bridge 2014

REDS Koyle Cerro Basalto Alto Colchagua 2013

Domaines Lupier El Terroir Garnacha 2010

Pedroncelli Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2014

ref BF-MX1658 £65 A SAVING OF £9.90

Toby Morrhall Toby joined The Society in 1992 and now buys Burgundy, Beaujolais and South American wines.

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To order thewinesociety.com/buyers 01438 741177

This offer is open until Sunday 8th May, 2016 while stocks last.

BUYERS’ FAVOURITES REDSA 12-bottle case containing two bottles of each of the following:

Bricco Rosso Suagnà Langhe Rosso 2010

Côtes-du-Rhône, Domaine Jaume 2014/2015

Château Monconseil Gazin, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2012

The Society’s Beaujolais-Villages 2014

The Society’s Rioja Crianza 2012

Ventoux, Martinelle 2013

ref BF-MX1656

BUYERS’ FAVOURITES WHITESA 12-bottle case containing two bottles of each of the following:

Picpoul de Pinet, Domaine Félines-Jourdan 2015

Blind Spot King Valley Garganega 2015

The Society’s Côtes de Gascogne 2015

Koyle Costa Cuarzo Rapel Coastal Sauvignon Blanc 2015

Bleasdale Langhorne Crossing Verdelho-Sauvignon 2015

Three Choirs Payford Bridge 2014

ref BF-MX1657

BUYERS’ FAVOURITES MIXED DOZENA 12-bottle case containing one bottle of each of the following:

SPARKLING Cava Conde de Haro Brut 2012

ROSÉCorent Côtes d’Auvergne Rosé, Saint-Verny 2015

WHITES Koyle Costa Cuarzo Rapel Coastal Sauvignon Blanc 2015

Undurraga Cauquenes Estate Maule Viognier-Roussanne-Marsanne 2015

Three Choirs Payford Bridge 2014

Blind Spot King Valley Garganega 2015

REDS Individo Feteasca, Château Vartely 2014

Pedroncelli Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2014

Bricco Rosso Suagnà Langhe Rosso 2010

Ventoux, Martinelle 2013

Château Monconseil Gazin, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2012

Corbières Rouge, Domaine du Trillol 2011

ref BF-MX1660

BUYERS’ SOCIETY-RANGE FAVOURITES A 12-bottle case containing two bottles of each of the following:

WHITES The Society’s Grüner Veltliner 2015

The Society’s Côtes de Gascogne 2015

The Society’s Vinho Verde 2015

REDS The Society’s Beaujolais-Villages 2014

The Society’s Sicilian Reserve Red 2012

The Society’s Rioja Crianza 2012

ref BF-MX1659

£89 £89

£79

Uncork with confidence

The Wine Society is a mutual organisation, so our members’ satisfaction is paramount. If, for any reason, you haven’t enjoyed a wine we want to hear about it and will happily offer a credit, a replacement or a refund. thewinesociety.com/promise

£95 A SAVING OF £10.60