Maison Sichel first set up an acquisitions office in Bordeaux in 1883, and since then six generations of the Sichel family have built upon their empire. Not only do they sell wine today, but they are also growers and winemakers, and represent some very well-respected names. They currently own wine estates covering 350 hectares of vineyards, including Chateaux Angludet and Palmer in Bordeaux, and Chateau Trillol in Corbieres.

Their technical director is Yvan Meyer, and he is the winemaker behind The Society's Claret, which is currently our bestselling red wine. It is made at Cave Bel Air in the Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux region, and the grapes are sourced from local producers. Every year our Bordeaux buyer, Joanna Locke MW, travels to Maison Sichel to select the final blend.

The blend varies greatly each year, but in each vintage our aim remains the same: to create a fresh, easy-drinking and accessible wine with true Bordeaux character, but without the firmer tannins of other clarets that may need more time in the cellar. It is perhaps for this reason that The Society's Claret is always a huge hit with our members.