| The online shopping world has exploded of the | | | | first place?" |
| past 10 year, and the online wine industry is no | | | | The next thing to be aware of is how the wines |
| exception, although it hasn't happened as quickly | | | | have previously been stored. Many examples of |
| as other industries. One of the main reasons | | | | wines being purchased which have found to be |
| behind this has been the skepticism behind buying | | | | off can be found, with the main reason being the |
| wine from unknown sources. | | | | lack of knowledge as to how the wine has been |
| Over time, there has been more people enter the | | | | stored. Imagine buying a six pack of well known |
| market with better ideas and better ways to sell | | | | quality wine worth $50 a bottle for $20 a bottle, |
| wine over the internet. Business models have | | | | then finding only one of them is drinkable. |
| improved and therefore the level and quality of | | | | Another type of online wine store to look out for |
| wine being sold has also improved. This is not to | | | | is what is known as affiliate sites. These types of |
| say that there still aren't some bad ways to buy | | | | wine stores look like any regular online wine store, |
| wine over the internet. | | | | but generally look like they stock more wines |
| One of the most dubious ways to buy wine over | | | | than the ordinary. The bottom line is these stores |
| the net is through online wine auctions houses. | | | | don't stock any wine at all. These sites basically |
| Many great deals can be garnered by buying | | | | take your order, pass them on to the wineries, |
| through the auction houses with many wineries | | | | wash their hands of it and take a percentage |
| and wine companies dumping stock that they | | | | commission. |
| cannot sell at bottomed out prices. There is one | | | | The best way to pick these types of web sites is |
| main problem with this. The companies will | | | | by checking their Shipping/Delivery Information |
| generally dump their stock as "cleanskins" (wines | | | | pages. You will generally find with these sites that |
| without labels) which leaves the consumer with no | | | | most will ask you to check the shipping costs |
| real idea where they come from apart from wine | | | | either from the winery themselves or a special |
| type and region. | | | | shipping page which highlights the costs within the |
| Cleanskins are always fraught with danger as you | | | | site itself. The best course of action here is to |
| don't know exactly what you're getting, especially | | | | order the wine directly from the winery itself as |
| if you are unable to try them first. The varietal of | | | | you will be supporting the winery directly. If they |
| wine may match with the region, but the quality | | | | are smaller wineries, they will appreciate your |
| of the wine is always anybody's guess. Why do | | | | patronage more so directly than paying an affiliate |
| you think that the wineries or companies are | | | | a commission. |
| dumping this stock off to auction houses in the | | | | |