Wine Club Related Articles

Wine clubs are growing in popularity and area great way for beginners to sample new wines, and old-timers to focus on a region or type of wine.  Wine clubs vary in what they offer, how they offer it and the type of customer that is their target market.  Wine clubs also differ greatly in price as well.  One should be wary of some of the things that wine clubs can do that will take away from the experience.  This article details what some wine clubs do that don't respect their customers, and in the long run, can end up hurting their business.

In the past couple of days I've had a number of people ask me what wine clubs should never do. Clearly, I have a pretty lengthy list, but there are a couple of things that top my list, no club that wants to keep its customers should do either of these two, which each deal with shipping substandard alcohol in order to increase profits.

The first way in which a wine club would look to increase profits at the expense of its customers experiences would be to ship so called private label wine. A private label wine is often a bulk wine purchased from a region, instead of a winery and then packaged under a new label that is not selling wine elsewhere in the world. For example a company could buy a bulk wine from Italy at around $2 per bottle and then basically create a winery (or pay a less scrupulous one to use their branding) and sell the wine as fine Italian wine and charge $20 per bottle.

The second and more difficult scenario for a consumer in regards to a wine club is the use of special or close out wines. Wineries often have excess stock and are looking to liquidate it before their new harvest comes in from the field. The problem for customers is that this wine is often purchased on the bulk market and then packaged under a different brand name then the regular winery product. An unscrupulous club could buy this cheap, close out liquor and then market it as wine from the Robert Mondavi Winery. Although technically correct, it would greatly upset the winery which chose not the ship it itself, the quality would be questionable at best and the customers of its wine club would be purchasing wine that would not even be a high enough quality to be sold by the winery whose name appears on the brand.

I hope you've enjoyed this look into the world of 3rd party clubs. The only and best way to protect yourself is to do your own research. A club should be giving you a complete history of each and every bottle they have shipped. Look for critics scores, you should be able to recognize the names of the critics such as Robert Parker, Wine Spectator or Wine Enthusiast. If you can't find the winery doing a basic Google search and there are no substantial critics scores I would be very, very concerned over the type of wine that the club is planning on shipping.

Want more wine information? Want to join a real wine club that is interested in more then just taking your money for their real business? Use promo code EZine at Uncorked Ventures to take 10% off your first wine club order just for reading this article!

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For most, picking the right wine can be hit or miss. But there's now a surefire way to have the perfect wines delivered to your doorstep.

Wine clubs are a great way for the wine lover to experience wines they may not have thought to try out before.  The 4 seasons wine club is a wine club that provides the member with wines from amazing wineries all round the world.  In this article, the author talks about the benefits of being a member of this club and how it works.  It's a nice club for those that are looking for more that your bargain basement wines, or the two buck chuck wines.  Read on for more about the fours seasons wine club.

If you want to discover the world's greatest wines, all while in the comfort of your own home with friends and family, you should definitely consider the 4 Seasons club. This wine club is like no other in that it offers wines from all over the world from unique wineries featuring extraordinary vintages, from all over the world. The bottles are delivered right to your doorstep each season including the summer, spring, winter, and fall.

How it Works

Four Seasons is a very relaxed yet organized club. Every three months, once each season, members are offered a case of wine holding twelve different bottles. Each season the case will feature different wines and vintages, which keeps things exciting. Members have the option to choose a mixed selection each season or just reds or just whites.

The program is entirely left to your preferences as a wine lover. Within each shipment, Four Seasons includes not only the bottles of wine, but tasting suggestions, background information on each of the wines, food pairing suggestions, and sometimes even menus. Every three months, when members receive their bottles, they will also get a preview of the next season's package. By joining this club, members open up a whole new world of wine experiences.

The membership itself is also quite flexible, much more so than many other clubs out there. The membership is entirely risk-free which means that there is no obligation to purchase the next shipment for any reason. You are billed for each shipment and if you choose to cancel, you just let them know. It is as simple as that.

Super Savings

This company offers members significant savings on bottles purchased through the club. The variety of wines made available to members is much more expansive than what most local shops offer. This club also avoids most big label brands and sticks with boutique wineries, allowing for not only a better bang for the buck but also a lot more adventure in the world of wines.

Additional Benefits

By joining this club members enjoy additional benefits that extend beyond simply great tasting wine. Members are offered discounts on wine purchases made through the club as well as on any wine accessories. Such accessories may include deluxe corkscrew sets, wine glasses, books, and decanters. Members also enjoy discounts on local wine tastings, winery tours, and discounts with the wine club's partners.

Tobias is the editor of http://www.wineclubwizard.com an information portal with tips and ideas around wine clubs. More information about the California wine club can be found at http://www.wineclubwizard.com/four-seasons-wine-club.html

Copyright: you may freely republish this article, provided the text, author credit, the active links and this copyright notice remain intact.

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A 4 Seasons Wine Club Review

When looking to buy a wine club, you should consider many factors. Ask yourself what you want from a wine club. The 4 seasons wine club gives you pretty much everything you can think of. They give you 12 bottles of wine for a low price. ...

Publish Date: 03/30/2010 2

Wine clubs are a great way to experience a type of wine, either reds, whites, chardonnays, reislings, merlots, cabernets, etc.  You can also choose a region of wine to experinence as well, such as Washington wines, New York Wines, Wines from Napa Valley, or Sonoma Valley, etc.  Experienceing wines from a specific state will give you a good idea of the quality of the wines and the kinds of wines that are not only available, but also exceptional to that particular state.  Wine clubs also provide an experience as well.  Read on for more on the experience of the Kentucky wine club and the wines of Kentucky.

If you are a wine lover and live in the beautiful southern state of Kentucky, all of your Christmas and birthday gifts may have just come as once. Kentucky residents are eligible to join one of the most respected wine club's in the United States, and membership is not extended to any beyond those who live in the state itself - a quaint tradition in today's modern obsession with growth and capitalism. Unlike most, this Kentucky wine club has remained true to its original mission statement, and has nevertheless become one of the most enjoyed wine clubs in America. One refers, of course, to Elk Creek Vineyards Kentucky Wine Club.

While the general purpose of a this type of club is for like-minded drinkers to band together and enjoy the fruits of a new season and old vintages, Elk Creek has transformed itself into so much more. This Kentucky club began its existence as a mere commercial vineyard in 1798, planted by the Marquis de Lafeyette. In the next century, this small commercial success saw itself expand to become the third largest grape and wine producer in the United States.

Behind the front of the modern wine club is the true history of Elk Creek, which is its vineyards. To this day, it is a commercial producer of a range of wines which are exclusive to it. What is impressive, however, is how a vineyard has transformed itself into an all round amazing experience for any lover of wine.

The highlight of the numerous offerings of Elk Creek is, of course, its club. Membership is offered in two levels, Gold and Platinum, depending on how much you wish to spend (upgrading membership is available throughout the year and is applicable to your next order). Upon joining the Elk Creek Kentucky club, you will receive quarterly wines shipped directly to your door - providing that door is in Kentucky.

There are other perks to joining the club, including exclusive offers and discounts for the main vineyard at Elk Creek. The membership to the club is free, with each quarterly cycle of wine being billed individually - a practice which will help endlessly in keeping track of finances. The main source of enrolment is online, though you can visit the vineyard directly and join there.

Which brings us, of course, to the vineyard itself. From small acorns mighty oaks grow, a philosophy for which the Elk Creek wine club is an effortless example of. The small fields of the original vineyard are now built to incorporate tours and hospitality, as well as a guest Lodge which features a bed and breakfast service if one day's visit simply isn't enough. One can also relax in the on site spa facilities, which include massages ideal for those who have overindulged the day before.

The Kentucky theme is continued apace, with a variety of home made spices and sauces available to purchase along with a wide choice of wines. There is also a fantastic range of gift merchandise, all of which is themed with wine - such as corkscrews depicting the wine club name - which make a fantastic accompaniment to any gift for a wine lover. Coupled with the wine club and its range of exclusive wines, this all makes the Elk Creek Kentucky Wine Club one of the best in the business.

Caterina Christakos is a published author and reviewer. Read her latest reviews of personalized wine bottles and wine of the month clubs.

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We've Got Wine Clubs For Every Country You've Been To

If you travel all of the time or never get to travel at all, there's never enough time to visit all of the wineries you want to, and a great way to make up for that is with wine clubs. Wine clubs offer an exciting way for wine ...

Publish Date: 03/24/2010

This article is about choosing a wine club that gives you an experience you would enjoy.  This includes tasting the wine, to the type of wine to the way the wine club is run.  There are clubs for all tastes and income levels.  You have a taste for expensive wine, then you can join a club that focuses on that type of wine.  This article gives you a good overview of what to look for in a wine club and what you should or should not expect.  After reading this article, look at some of the specific wine clubs that are out there to give you a better idea of what you are in for.

The Wine Club: A Month-by-Month Guide to Learning About Wine with Friends by Maureen Christian Petrosky

Wine clubs have become very popular over the past decade and are a great gift idea for family members, business associates, or as a gift for yourself. The best wine clubs send you high-quality wines for a great price. Many clubs have outstanding introductory offers that allow you to experience the quality of their selections and are an unbeatable value.

With all the different clubs available, how do you choose the best wine club?

1. Compare the quality of the selections. Some clubs include wines that may be available in retail shops or have been tasted, reviewed and scored by experts like The Wine Spectator or Robert Parker. However, don't ignore a club just because it hasn't been reviewed by some oenophile publication. Many clubs make their selections from small, boutique wineries that have small production, but excellent grapes and winemakers. Some clubs have strong relationships with wineries and are able to obtain exclusive rights for distribution only to club members.

The best clubs will offer an introductory promotion so that you can taste their selections yourself at a very inexpensive price. These are the wine clubs that are confident of their product and know that once you try them out, you'll be a loyal club member for a long time.

2. Compare the prices of the wine clubs. Prices range from $69.99 for a case to hundreds of dollars for two bottles of a truly special vintage suitable for a collector. The best wine club is the one that allows you to enjoy good wine without breaking your budget.

3. Consider what type of wines you usually enjoy the most. Do you prefer a white or a red? Do you savor the bouquet and flavor of a good zinfandel? Are you happier with a large variety of different styles to have in your wine rack? The best wine clubs will have choices that can be personalized for the individual who is the member of the club.

4. Are you interested in tasting wines from unusual regions and discovering new varietals that you may not have encountered before? Then you might want to consider a club that has international selections, allowing you the opportunity to enjoy varietals from all over the world.

5. Are you a novice to the world of wine or are you already an expert? Many clubs offer excellent educational materials. These can include extensive tasting notes, history of the wineries, and notes from the winemakers themselves. Some clubs will even include information about specific grapes and growing regions that will increase your general knowledge.

6. Look to see if there are value-added products included with your club membership. For example, some clubs include a good quality bottle opener or a set of professional tasting glasses for new members. These promotions are especially nice when you are giving the club membership as a gift. Even after the vino is just a good memory, they will have a gift to remember your thoughtful, special present.

7. Check to see if there are additional benefits offered to club members. If you receive a club selection that you especially enjoy, many clubs offer discounts for additional purchases. But, when you do want to order more, don't delay. With the limited supply of some of the boutique selections offered in the best wine clubs, they sell out quickly.

Ultimately, choosing the best wine club depends on the individual tastes, interests and budget of the wine lover. Whether a wine novice or a connoisseur, becoming a member of a wine club (or giving a gift of a club membership) is a pleasure sure to be savored.

Are you looking for the Best Wine Club so that you can enjoy high-quality wine,selected by experts and delivered directly to your home or office? Interested in finding the perfect gift that will impress any wine lover? Go to http://www.AnythingGoesGourmet.com for a preview of great introductory promotions offered by some of the best wine clubs available.

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South Lyndale Liquors
5300 South Lyndale Avenue
Minneapolis, MN
(612) 827-5811

Wine clubs are a great way to get a taste of specific types of wine. There are many wine clubs both national and international that allow the members to experience a special niche wine. Some wine clubs are Reds only, some Whites only. Others are from a specific country, region or state, and others still may focus only on award winning wines or on wines that are in a certain price range.

Wine clubs of America are wine clubs that focus on wines made only in America. There aren't very many of them that are well known. I will list a few of them here.

Boutique Wine Club

Discovery Wine Club

90 Point Wine Club

Tags: wine clubs of america - wine clubs - wine

Has anyone been to this event? I would love to get your opinion and have you share your experiences about this event! Please feel free to leave your comments below.
Here is the event information.

This annual tasting event is a great way to learn about the Chicago Wine Council's efforts to educate you about wines.

The Council was established in Chicago to assist Tasting Clubs in creating events that allow the Wine Curious and the Wine Educated an opportunity to mingle and meet while trying multiple wines.

How is a tasting conducted? We set-up stations throughout a venue, in this case the Melting Pot 609 N. Dearborn, Chicago, IL where each station will have 6 to 12 wines to be tasted. With your tasting glass you will sample whites and reds as often as you like.

Wine Diary is your tool. Yes, you get a diary that gives you tasting notes on each wine being served besides educational pieces on wine tasting. Learn as you roam the room and make new friends besides meeting up with friends of past.

Cost to the event is $40 advance and $50 at the door, cash only.

Learn more about our Tasting Clubs at www.chicagowinecouncil.com

Tags: chicago wine council - wine tasting - wine club

Link: http://officialwinery.com/articles/wineclubssection.html

Wine clubs have been sprouting up in recent years as a result ofan increased interest in wine and greater wine consumption. Infact, according to figures from the Wine Institute, sales of wine in the United States went up four percent in 2004. Exportsof wine by other countries to the U.S. remain steady since foreign wineries have found the United States to be a lucrative place to do business.

For wine lovers and would-be winedrinkers, joining a wine club would bring numerous benefits. Many wine clubs count expert vintners or sommeliers among theirmembers. But you don't need to be a wine aficionado to be able to join a wine club. A great many clubs welcome both newbies andexperts. They offer much information not only about various wines out in the market, but also about many wine-related topics; for instance, which type of wine should be served with a certain entre, or news about the latest goings-on in the wine industry.

Wine clubs offer varying membership programs. For the fee you pay, you will receive wine selections from vineyards whose offerings meet the club's standards. Clubs can send you their handpicked selections, or give you the opportunity to make yourown selections. Most clubs usually send two bottles of wine to each member per month; they can be two bottles of red or two ofwhite, or one of each. Along with the wine, you will alsoreceive pertinent information about them, such as the winerywhere they came from, any awards, publicity or accolades that have been accorded to the vintner, and a description of the conditions under which the grapes used in the wine were grown. Wine club membership offers several other perks. For instance, premium members are offered the ability to buy wines atdiscounted prices. If they have a Wine of the Month program, you can be sure that you'll realize significant savings from being a member than if you just bought the featured wine at regular prices.

Joining a wine club would be a good investment if youare a regular wine drinker -- which many people are becoming because of much publicized news about how regular wine consumption has numerous health benefits. Also, most of the wine clubs today offer gift membership program, which you can give topeople who would enjoy wine either by itself or with a meal. Many wine stores or retailers have their own wine clubs, which you can join for a fee.

Some clubs offer open-ended programs, meaning you can cancel your membership anytime. You should baseyour wine club choice on several factors. Are the services they offer worth the rate they are charging? What are their expert credentials -- do they have wine experts who can give sound wine recommendations? Do they have additional activities for members, such as wine tastings or perhaps visits to vineyards? You should evaluate these factors and more before you select a club tojoin. There are hundreds of wine club web sites online, and theyprovide detailed information on what you get for your money.

People enjoy the benefit of receiving their wine at their doorstep -- no more need to zip around to a wine seller's physical location for a bottle of vino. However, you should remember that most U.S. states have strict laws regarding theshipping of wine from state to state. Perhaps you might consider choosing a club that has a branch in your particular state because in such cases the law is not as strict. This is another factor that you should look at when you are evaluating whichclub to join. You can choose to join a wine club that has international coverage -- one that features wine produced in the world's most popular winery regions, and whose membership runs in the thousands -- or you could opt for a smaller, more specializedwine club, which focuses on only one or two specific wine-producing regions.

Then there are clubs that concentrate on providing only a certain type of wine, such as red, white, or champagne. As you can see, there are many factors to consider whenchoosing a wine club to join. But then, as you can also probably see, there are numerous benefits you can experience if you choose the right wine club.