Pocket Vintages - wine guide, wine recommendations, wine reviews

Wine clubs and courses

Here are a few recommended clubs and courses to delve into if you are considering learning more about wine or building up your cellar:

Sunday Times Wine Club

One of the most established clubs.  Members enjoy discounts on exclusive wines, personal recommendations and a variety of wine tastings, dinners and days out.

The Wine Society

Offers a wine storage service, themed tasting weeks, free tasting evenings, exclusive bin-end offers, access to the vintage cellar room and collection discounts.

The Wine & Food Academy

Offering a good selection of wine tasting events, cookery courses and wine tours.  Especially good for corporate events.

The Wine & Spirits Trade Club

Established in 1962 but still only has 150 members.  Organises formal tastings and social events for its members.

The Wine Society Education Trust

This is the place to get your UK wine qualifications - offering a range of wine courses from beginner to Master of Wine - excellent tutors and great for beginners and experts alike.

Wine Discovery Club

One of the oldest wine merchants introduces the club 'If you have ever wanted to be a little more adventurous in your wine choices but have been put off by daunting names and unusual grape varieties, then the Wine Discovery Club is for you' - a good way to build up your cellar with expert advice, food and wine matching tips and budget plans.

Chateau Cantelys 2004

From AOC Pessac-Leognan in France, this is a quality white wine that drinks well on its own or with white fish or chicken.

It packs a punch at 13% but the alcohol is well disguised by the peachy/lychee flavour - not overpowering by any means.  Still crisp and well rounded, this is a very impressive wine.

I can't tell you how much I paid for it because it was a gift from a hotel but you can always check out Wine Searcher for stockists.