A Christmas outing to London!
Established in 1874, The Wine Society is a member owned organisation providing excellent wines and related services to its membership
‘The Wine Society, owned by its wine-loving members, is famous for value.’
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com
David and I are long term members of society having joined back in the early 1990s.
The Society runs various events and over the years we have enjoyed tastings in the Yorkshire region and dinners at their headquarters in Stevenage.
2025 saw the return of the Christmas tasting and dinner which was held in the fabulous venue of The Merchant Taylors Hall, London. Leeds section members Kenny and Janine (and other friends) joined us.
Hosted by Wine Society buyers Sarah Knowles MV (Champagne buyer) and Matthew Horsley MV (Bordeaux, South Africa, England and Greece buyer) the dinner also included introductions to the various wines tasted from Pichon Comtesse’s winemaker, Nicolas Glumineau and Roederer’s Chef de Cave Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon. On the night we were upgraded by Jean-Baptiste to Cristal champagne!
So what did we eat and taste?
The Reception wine was Champagne Louis Roederer Collection 246 MV which we all found excellent!
The starter was Leek & Potato soup, hot smoked salmon croquettes, crème fraiche and chives, accompanied by Champagne Louis Roederer Cristal 2016. This was interesting and reassured me that I don’t need to push my budget to Cristal!
Then onto the highlights of Bordeaux, and a series of real treats in our glasses!
Rump of lamb, haggis croquette, potato gratin, crushed peas, roasted carrot, smoked aubergine and lamb jus served with Reserve de la Comtesse Paulliac 2019 and Chateau Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Paulliac 2016. The 2016 was excellent and 2019, already delicious, showed great promise of becoming even better.
Comte and cheddar cheese – Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Pauillac 2010 and Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Pauillac 2005. My personal preference was for the younger vintage, but again both really good wines.
Pear and almond tart with cinnamon chantilly and pear crisp – Champagne Louis Roederer Carte Blanche NV. An excellent pairing – tasted alone the champagne was too sweet for my palate but with the tart a perfect match!
We are all hoping that the Society will repeat the dinner in 2026 and we are all signed up for attending again if this comes to pass. A wonderful lead in to the Christmas season!
