What did a wine list look like in 1914?

A century on, and the 1914 wine list from the forerunner to The Wine Society is now quite the artefact.

At the Society’s helm was a general manager bearing a name that would certainly encourage a feeling of confidence in the society members…

And the society headquarters could boast cushy central London offices and private cellars…

The preface to the list is a rallying-cry to wine lovers the world over…

And full of advice for any fledgling wine collector…

There are wise words on the tricky matter of storage (most notably to keep the bottles away from one’s kitchen range)…

Reassurances that seem appropriate to today’s natural wine fan…

And a vital tip relevant to ALL of us…

There are prices for top wines that make a mockery of today’s rates (the most expensive case of Burgundy going for the equivalent of just over £122 in today’s money)…

And praise for a wine-producing region that, in a few short weeks, wouldn’t be receiving such high esteem…

Thanks to The Wine Society for releasing this gem.