Joining a Wine Club

By Neil Courtier
Publication date: 11/04/2008

A key benefit is building a wine cellar

There are a number of membership schemes offered by the wine trade. Being a member of a wine club, can have several benefits - exclusive offers, seasonal selections and the convenience of delivery to your door, for instance.

Wine Cellar Having looked at some of the UK’s well known clubs, I came across a new Cellar Club, offered by Corney & Barrow (Newmarket), which has a point of difference. One of the key benefits of membership, is the means of building a cellar of wines, with dedicated storage. Very helpful, if you do not have a cellar at home.

The foundations of any cellar, forms the basis of wines that will hopefully bring lots of future enjoyment. Corney & Barrow offer a personally tailored selection of wines, via a standing order arrangement that fits your own financial circumstances. With Corney & Barrow’s wine buying expertise, the club provides access to some of the world's great wines. Whether you are looking for wines to enjoy now, or to mature, the flexibility of this programme is ideally suited to the individual wine consumer. Membership, also provides the benefit of attending Cellar Club tastings and dinners. For further details, contact - James Long, Corney & Barrow, Newmarket - 01638 600000, or e-mail: cellarclub@corneyandbarrow.com

Spring / Seasonal New Releases

Origin - Fairtrade - Sauvignon Blanc 2007 - South Africa - £6.99 (buy three bottles - £4.66) - Thresher & Wine Rack
Fresh herbal, lemon & elderflower scented nose. Zesty, with a citrus fruit inspired palate, to drink as an apéritif, or with salads & goats cheese.

Cheverny - Le Vieux Clos 2007 Domaine du Salvard - Loire - France - £7.49 (buy two bottles save £1 - £6.99) Majestic Wine
A new vintage of an old-favourite, that continues to impress. A blend of 85% Sauvignon Blanc, that provides stacks of vibrant, grapefruit-like flavours & intensity & 15% Chardonnay - adding a rounded, creamy texture.

Louis Jadot - Combe aux Jacques - Beaujolais-Villages 2006 - £6.99 Waitrose
Aromatic & expressive, berry-fruits on the nose. Generous, youthful red & black fruits, with flavoursome, rounded & sappy appeal. Lovely, slightly chilled, with cured meats & the like.

Bourgogne Haut-Côtes de Nuits - ‘Les Mouchottes’ 2006 Cave des Hautes Côtes - Burgundy - France - £9.99 (buy two bottles save £2 - £8.99) Majestic Wine
Very attractive & appealing aromas - fragrant, cherry, raspberry & subtle spice. It’s juicy, black cherry & strawberry toned palate, is supported by firm, yet ripe tannins. Try with spring lamb.

Neil Courtier is a freelance wine educator and trainer.
grapesense@aol.com
www.grapesense.com

Image by roblisameehan courtesy of the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic licence

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