Feeling Like a Grown-Up: Unboxing Wine from Laithwaite's

In the world of maturity, there are things that people get excited about - like owning their own home - and there are things that people get less excited about - like having a mortgage. Somehow growing up seems to always have a balance of the good and the bad. How can you be excited about your new car if you didn't also have the reality check of your first insurance bill? Luckily, we've found what is basically a freebie in the world of adulthood: subscribing to the 4 Seasons Wine Club from Laithwaite's. Nothing will make you feel quite so mature as admiring a selection of top quality wines, reading their tasting notes, and dusting off some key kitchen equipment so you can pair appropriately. Plus, this makes for a great last-minute gift!

The folks at Laithwaite's appear to know they're shipping precious cargo, because your wines will arrive in one of the sturdiest boxes in town. Even sturdier than the box you "carefully" packed Auntie Irma's awful collection of cat figurines that she so kindly gave you when she downsized.

In addition to the good stuff, the shipment includes a brochure about the wine club, a corkscrew, and individual cards about each bottle, complete with pairing notes.

The selection of wines included is quite extensive, and our shipment included:

Baron de Barbon Oak Age Rioja

The Black Stump Durif Shiraz

Pillastro Primitivo

The Waxed Bat

Grande Fleur de Lyeth Reserve

Domaine du Vallon Plan de Dieu

ContraPosto

The Holdings Vineyard Select Cabernet Sauvignon

Given that the better half had been after a tasty stew for a while, we opted to go with the Waxed Bat, which is a delightful blend of Shiraz, Cab, and Malbec. The recommendations for food include beef tenderloin, and we made sure that's what went straight into the crockpot for dinner that night.

Obviously the chef needs a little sustenance while preparing the meal, so we may not have waited until the stew was done simmering. Besides, wine needs to breathe, no?

All in all we're thrilled with the grown-up feeling that came with this delivery from Laithwaite's. The wines are tasty, reasonably priced for re-order, and the individual wine cards give you both context and culinary suggestions.

Want to know more? Check out our complete Laithwaite's review to discover how it compares to the 10 best wine clubs.