Wine subscriptions can be a good way to discover new varieties, learn how to pair with food, or just to to start specialising in wines that pique your curiosity
The Wine Society wine subscription
The Wine Society is a member-owned co-operative, and is widely regarded as one of the best retailers in the business, with a great range of sub-£10 wines as well as those aimed at the more well-heeled drinker. Life membership costs a one-off £40 joining fee, of which £20 is refundable against your first order of whatever you buy. Their Wine Without Fuss subscription boxes offer flexible plans to suit all tastes and pockets, while their Vintage Cellar Plans are aimed at more serious wine collectors.
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Signing up is easy, then you’re spoilt for choice. There are five Wines Without Fuss options, with 12-bottle cases priced from £85 to £149, including Wine Rack Essentials, the Discovery options for new and unusual wines from lesser-known grapes and regions, or Lighter Wines if you want to explore lower alcohol options. Choose all reds, all whites or a mixed case, or c
Bar Douro box, Serves 2, £60, bardouro.co.uk
Nieves Barragán Mohacho is one hell of a cook. I first tasted her food nearly 20 years back, at the great and pioneering Fino in Fitzrovia. Then followed her through the Barrafina years and on to Sabor, the place she now owns with her friend and business partner José Etura. I’ve never had a bad bite.
The Sabor en Casa box (£90, and delivery from £10) is, as you’d expect, magnificent. Postbox red Càdiz prawns, sweet as young love, with a sigh of garlic and nudge of chilli, cooked for a few seconds in a hot pan. Octopus is vac-packed with some olive oil, and warmed in the bag. The dish is finished with salt and smoked sweet paprika. For a second, when I close my eyes, I could be in a Galician bar, rather than cold lockdown London.