| ubs are quickly becoming one of the most popular | | | | the club performed. |
| enrollment and gift activities associated with the | | | | Wine Education |
| food and beverage industry. A wine club is not a | | | | One reason that many people decide to enroll in a |
| "set in stone" arrangement and they are available | | | | wine club is for the newsletters and printed |
| in an enormous number of styles and options. | | | | information that accompanies their monthly or |
| There are clubs dedicated to California wines and | | | | seasonal shipments. Generally they will discuss the |
| there are those that focus entirely on | | | | grapes, region and particular vineyard where the |
| Champagnes or Sparkling wines. The choices are | | | | wine was produced. This is not all "fluff", but is |
| almost limitless, but it is a good idea to investigate | | | | intended to educate the member about the wine |
| some of the wine club reviews before making a | | | | industry and its practices. |
| choice. | | | | All of this is important because it can really help to |
| Even though most wine clubs use a panel of | | | | train their palette and enable them to recognize |
| experts to make their monthly or seasonal | | | | things like bouquet, flavors and aromas. For |
| selections there may still be some issues with the | | | | instance, you might purchase a bottle of wine that |
| club's choices, so it's important to do your own | | | | was aged in oak. It could have a very distinctive |
| research or read reviews. Wine club reviews | | | | flavor, but as a novice you would not be able to |
| analyze the following areas: | | | | say, "oh, it is the oaky overtones that I am |
| Quality of Wine | | | | detecting". A good wine club will provide such |
| This is, of course, a major factor in the success | | | | training, and a good wine club review will praise |
| of any wine club. If the members receive | | | | the club for delivering these materials. |
| unpopular or "clearance" items they will probably | | | | Additionally, a wine club review should scrutinize |
| not enjoy their membership as much as those | | | | the club’s educational materials for food |
| who receive specially selected vintages. | | | | pairing information. Wine is not always intended to |
| Unfortunately there are some clubs that do utilize | | | | be sipped without the benefit of food and many |
| discounted bottles and vintages as a portion of | | | | people are unaware of the best food and wine |
| each month's shipment. This is usually quickly and | | | | pairings. A wine club review should indicate if this |
| easily identified by the critic who will comment on | | | | information is included along with every shipment. |
| every single selection. | | | | Value |
| Additionally, any critic is going to have some good | | | | Any wine club review should let the consumer or |
| knowledge and background about the type of | | | | potential customer know if the wines and |
| wines the club has promised and will be able to let | | | | educational materials come at a reasonable value. |
| potential members know if the vintages selected | | | | For example, if a club makes a habit of delivering |
| match the criteria of the club, or its standards. | | | | substandard vintages, the wine club review should |
| For example, if a club promises the best California | | | | be able to identify this fact and alert a consumer |
| "boutique" wines, a knowledgeable expert will be | | | | to the lesser value of such a membership. |
| able to point out any discrepancies in the | | | | Additionally, it requires the comprehensive |
| selections. | | | | knowledge of an expert to know if a certain type |
| All of these factors can affect the overall quality | | | | of wine club is actually providing a valuable service |
| of the wines delivered to the members. Generally, | | | | to clients. For instance, a club dedicated to |
| the wine club reviews will itemize the traditional | | | | enhancing the value of a cellar will offer premium |
| characteristics of wine on a bottle by bottle or | | | | cellaring vintages at a good cost. A wine club |
| vineyard by vineyard basis. Most reviews rely on | | | | review will point out if this is true or if it fails to |
| the classic "gold star" system to identify how well | | | | meet such clear cut terms. |