| #8217;ve ever bought a bottle of wine, you have | | | | wines. With a little research and attendance at |
| likely faced one of the greatest social challenges | | | | your local wine shop’s latest tasting, you |
| known to modern humans – the | | | | can identify a vintner whose wines appeal to your |
| “Wall of Wine.” Maybe you go it | | | | tastes and lifestyle. Once you’ve done |
| alone, picking a variety you recognize from a | | | | that, contact the vintner to learn details about |
| vintner you’ve heard of. Or throw caution | | | | their wine clubs. Most offer clubs and details can |
| to the wind and choose the bottle with the | | | | be found on their Web sites. |
| brightest label. Or seek advice from the store | | | | * Wine lovers seeking to sample a variety of |
| clerk. | | | | wines, or enjoy access to some exclusive |
| No matter how you tackle the Wall of Wine, your | | | | vintages, may prefer an “adventure |
| chances of being disappointed or delighted remain | | | | club” like the California Wine Club. An |
| about the same. With wine consumption continuing | | | | adventure club gives the member access to a |
| to grow in the United States, value-minded | | | | wide variety of pre-selected wines. Often, |
| Americans are seeking ways to expand their wine | | | | members can sample a wine they might never |
| experience without the risk. Wine clubs have | | | | encounter while trying to scale the Wall of Wine. |
| evolved in response to the Wall of Wine. | | | | More than 3,500 wineries operate in the United |
| “People join wine clubs for many | | | | States. Americans drink more wines from |
| reasons,” says wine aficionado Bruce | | | | California than from any other region of the world. |
| Boring, co-founder of the California Wine Club. | | | | Founded in 1990, the California Wine Club offers |
| “Some want the safety of only tasting | | | | hand-selected wines from California’s |
| wines that an expert has sampled. Others are | | | | smallest family-run wineries. The advantage, says |
| looking for an adventure and want a guided | | | | Boring, is that the average consumer might never |
| tour.” Hundreds of wine clubs, from | | | | be able to find these wines in her local wine shop |
| independent operators like Boring to | | | | or liquor warehouse. And smaller producers are |
| vineyard-sponsored clubs, allow consumers to | | | | able to handcraft their wines in ways that just |
| have a wide variety of wines delivered to their | | | | aren’t possible for larger wineries, he says. |
| doorsteps every month. | | | | * Does the wine club you are considering support |
| “Wine clubs can be a great venue for | | | | your wine education goals? For example, California |
| learning about wine. You can experience a variety | | | | Wine Club sends a magazine, Uncorked, with each |
| of styles from nearly everywhere without the | | | | month’s delivery. The magazine uses a |
| stress of choosing the best ones,” Bruce | | | | lively, informative style to educate the consumer |
| explains. “Plus joining a club can expose | | | | about the month’s featured wines. |
| wine lovers to wines they would not typically | | | | * Will your adventure club forego sending you bulk |
| have access to, further broadening their wine | | | | wines (wines that are blended and don’t |
| knowledge.” | | | | come from real working wineries), close-outs that |
| Choosing a wine club doesn’t have to be | | | | you will never be able to taste again or private |
| as daunting as making a selection from the Wall | | | | label wines (which are often cast offs that a |
| of Wine. Boring offers the following advice for | | | | vintner doesn’t like well enough to market |
| anyone considering a wine club membership: | | | | under his own label, but will create a private label |
| * Ask yourself why you want to join a wine club. | | | | for the wine if someone pays him enough)? |
| Do you want to discover new wines or educate | | | | California Wine Club also ensures members can |
| your palate? Do you crave priority access to | | | | purchase more of each month’s selection |
| limited production and/or “trophy” | | | | if they want to, and at a discount off the normal |
| wines? Or are you looking for a reliable source of | | | | retail price. |
| quality wines that you can pair with special | | | | “There is a wine club for |
| occasions or simply relaxing at home? | | | | everyone,” Boring says. “The key |
| * A winery-specific club may be the choice for | | | | is to find the one that speaks to your heart and |
| someone seeking a reliable source of quality | | | | your palate. |