wine
WINES
BY THE CASE by Carolyn Bosworth-Davies
s a regular wine consumer I never understand why the idea of buying a case of wine seems diffi cult, extravagant or excessive! It is after all only 12 bottles, and now many are packed in 6 bottle cases. Majestic Wine Warehouses now only requires a 6 bottle purchase – which can be mixed – so it really is not hard especially in December. What are the benefi ts? With so much discounting of wine, particularly in the supermarkets often offering up to 25%, and more, off on just single bottles, it is hard to see what fi nancial advantage there is for a simple 5% or 10% discount for buying a case of 12 or 6. For me buying wine by the case puts wine where it should be. That it requires consideration and is an informed exercise, rather than just another household commodity that is thrown into a supermarket trolley. The growth of online buying from independent wine merchants and online supermarket wine websites really gives people a far better selection of wine, and here too are great savings. Also it saves lugging wine home. On many you can mix your own case or select pre mixed selections, which may be seasonally appropriate or from particular countries, or in varying price ranges. Some times people are concerned that these selections are maybe wines that merchants are just trying to use as a means of off loading unwanted stock. My experience is now they cannot afford to do this as it is a competitive market and they need repeat business. Selecting wines this way does take the decision making process out of your hands –
A
often a welcome relief at this time of year – and adds to the element of surprise – great if you are buying wine as a present or a gift for Christmas. Both Marks and Spencer Wine Direct and Waitrose Wine Direct have worked hard to make ordering easy, for either self selected cases, or pre- mixed cases, which change regularly. M&S also have a wine club that you can subscribe to that has a huge initial discount saving and then will send you cases on a three monthly basis, along with tasting notes. For details see
www.marksandspencer.co,/Wine-Food-Wine The Wine Society has a designated gift service which as they say is ‘designed to take the strain out of Christmas shopping.’ Beyond the pre-packed Hampers and boxed sets they offer selections of six, twelve and fi fteen bottle cases especially assembled for the festive season. The Classic Half Bottles with a selection of 6 half bottles from classic areas of France for anyone is perfect. I also like their beer selections from £25.00 or £45.00 which give you a mix – three or four bottles of different beers. For details
thewinesociety.com/christmas. If you are not a member of the Wine Society, then Tanners Wine Merchants too offer similar services, see
www.tanners-wines.co.uk . Although based in Shrewsbury and Hereford they have an excellent service. There 12 half bottle selection for £69.00 is excellent. Alternatively one of my favourite independent merchants Stone Vine & Sun has a designated web page
www.stonevine.co.uk/shop/mixed-cases with a big range of mixed cases available all the year round. Here is lots information about the wine, and if you do start to buy your wines this way you will quickly fi nd that buying by the case will make your wine drinking much more enjoyable, varied and better in quality. For wine tasting classes with Carolyn, contact The Conservatoire, Blackheath 020 8852 0234.
FOR ME BUYING WINE BY THE CASE PUTS WINE WHERE IT SHOULD BE
32 l
www.meridian-magazine.co.uk
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