The Wine Society continued to flaunt its experimental streak at the spring/summer tasting held yesterday, showcasing a series of wines vinified in China. 

With sparkling, whites and reds on offer, The Society highlighted a selection of new bottles – the most interesting of which was a pét-nat from the producer Silver Heights in Ningxia, made using a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and local rice wine. 

On their emerging interest in the country, director of wine Pierre Mansour credited a comprehensive Chinese wine tasting last year as the catalyst. “Our buyer Fiona Hayes focuses on a lot of esoteric wines, and she found some real discoveries.” 

Predicting that wines from the country are likely to find traction in the UK, launches at the tasting included a 100% Chardonnay from Xiban Winery; a red blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Dunkelfelder and Malbec from Fei Tswei Winery; and a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Zaxee Winery in Yunnan province. 

Fine wine focus 

Elsewhere, Mansour said that The Society is continuing to hone its fine wine focus, this time via a spotlight on Italy, which will be announced to members later this week. 

“Right now marks a special moment,” said the director of wine. “Last year we decided the direction we wanted to go in, and it feels like this year is when all those activities are being delivered and executed.” 

As part of the Italy focus, there are some wines that really stand out. “We have one wine that is a 2016 vintage Barolo, and we’re also doing an en primeur from Sicily for the first time ever.” 

A successful area, Mansour said: “Since 2022, the demand for fine wine at The Society has grown by 60%, and we plan to grow the section by another 8% this year with the help of our new head of fine wine.” 

With this in mind, The Society has already got the next two focuses lined up, which will be South Africa, starting in July, and Burgundy just before Christmas. 

As well as this, the wine co-operative retailer revealed to Drinks Retailing that it is actively searching to hire three new members of staff to join the fine wine team. “This is for the fine wine service that we will be launching this summer.” 

Pioneer Initiative 

Alongside the other programmes, Mansour revealed the newly launched Society Pioneers initiative – a spotlight aimed at incentivising sustainability among producers and making communication easier for consumers. 

Led by director of sustainability and social impact Dom de Ville, the Pioneers “are wines that have gone through a rigorous verification process and the framework that’s been made by The Wine Society”. 

This includes holding a recognised third-party sustainability certification, having full traceability in grape origins, using low-carbon packaging formats, achieving a distinction in The Wine Society’s assessment and completing a detailed verification call. 

A positive step in encouraging sustainability, Mansour said the wines will remain under the producer brands but have clear labelling showing that they’re endorsed by the Pioneers programme, something that will be communicated both on the bottle itself and on the website. 

“We’re really excited, and all the producers we’ve been contacting have been chuffed to see that the work they’re doing is being recognised by a retailer.” 

Other news 

Coming to the end of the conversation, Mansour noted that other changes and celebrations include a new episode of The Society’s video series, Book and Bottle Club, in which writers speak about their work and favourite bottles of wine. 

“All the people we interview are members, and it’s part of our plan to enrich what it means to be a member.” 

Finally, Mansour said 2026 marks the 120-year anniversary of The Society’s relationship with Champagne producer Alfred Gratien, which first began supplying the retailer in 1906. 

“It’s a relationship where both our values are so in tune, which is why it’s carried on for so long.”