Two bargain buys from The Wine Society

The Wine Society held its summer tasting yesterday where the buyers pick out six bottles they’re particularly enthusiastic about. Normally it’s a social event - a chance to get together and chat over lunch - but inevitably this year it was on Zoom.

That has its advantages - you get to spend longer tasting and discussing each wine and finding out more of the background to it and there are some real gems I’ll be flagging up over the next few weeks here and in my Guardian column. But here are a couple of bargains I thought you’d like to snap up for everyday drinking (or sharing with friends). Obviously you have to be a member to take advantage but I know many of you already are - and if you’re not you should be!

Esporão Monte Velho Branco Alentajano 2020 £7.95

I’ve tasted this white which is made from indigenous Portuguese grape varieties a couple of times previously and found it slightly too heavy but this new vintage is delicious - clean and bright but with some mouthwatering tropical fruit. The kind of wine to sit and sip while you’re waiting for the barbecue to fire up. Or with a selection of salads

Note it is available from other retailers but not from the latest vintage

Undurraga Candelabro Rapel Carmenere 2020 £7.95

“Cheaper carmenères are some of the best selling wines we have’ says buyer Toby Morrhall. Well, I’m not surprised if this is a typical example though it’s a cut above the average with its gorgeously ripe fruit tempered by a nicely savoury, herbal edge. Utterly perfect for a barbecue or a lamb curry for that matter, especially with coriander (see the post below)

See The best food pairings with carmenère.