| Wine clubs have been sprouting up in recent | | | | regular wine consumption has numerous health |
| years as a result of an increased interest in wine | | | | benefits. Also, most of the wine clubs today offer |
| and greater wine consumption. In fact, according | | | | gift membership program, which you can give to |
| to figures from the Wine Institute, sales of wine | | | | people who would enjoy wine either by itself or |
| in the United States went up four percent in | | | | with a meal. |
| 2004. Exports of wine by other countries to the | | | | Many wine stores or retailers have their own wine |
| U.S. remain steady since foreign wineries have | | | | clubs, which you can join for a fee. Some clubs |
| found the United States to be a lucrative place to | | | | offer open-ended programs, meaning you can |
| do business. For wine lovers and would-be wine | | | | cancel your membership anytime. You should base |
| drinkers, joining a wine club would bring numerous | | | | your wine club choice on several factors. Are the |
| benefits. | | | | services they offer worth the rate they are |
| Many wine clubs count expert vintners or | | | | charging? What are their expert credentials -- do |
| sommeliers among their members. But you don't | | | | they have wine experts who can give sound wine |
| need to be a wine aficionado to be able to join a | | | | recommendations? Do they have additional |
| wine club. A great many clubs welcome both | | | | activities for members, such as wine tastings or |
| newbies and experts. They offer much | | | | perhaps visits to vineyards? You should evaluate |
| information not only about various wines out in | | | | these factors and more before you select a club |
| the market, but also about many wine-related | | | | to join. There are hundreds of wine club web sites |
| topics; for instance, which type of wine should be | | | | online, and they provide detailed information on |
| served with a certain entrée; or news | | | | what you get for your money. |
| about the latest goings-on in the wine industry. | | | | People enjoy the benefit of receiving their wine at |
| Wine clubs offer varying membership programs. | | | | their doorstep -- no more need to zip around to a |
| For the fee you pay, you will receive wine | | | | wine seller's physical location for a bottle of vino. |
| selections from vineyards whose offerings meet | | | | However, you should remember that most U.S. |
| the club's standards. Clubs can send you their | | | | states have strict laws regarding the shipping of |
| handpicked selections, or give you the opportunity | | | | wine from state to state. Perhaps you might |
| to make your own selections. Most clubs usually | | | | consider choosing a club that has a branch in your |
| send two bottles of wine to each member per | | | | particular state because in such cases the law is |
| month; they can be two bottles of red or two of | | | | not as strict. This is another factor that you |
| white, or one of each. Along with the wine, you | | | | should look at when you are evaluating which club |
| will also receive pertinent information about them, | | | | to join. |
| such as the winery where they came from, any | | | | You can choose to join a wine club that has |
| awards, publicity or accolades that have been | | | | international coverage -- one that features wine |
| accorded to the vintner, and a description of the | | | | produced in the world's most popular winery |
| conditions under which the grapes used in the | | | | regions, and whose membership runs in the |
| wine were grown. | | | | thousands -- or you could opt for a smaller, more |
| Wine club membership offers several other perks. | | | | specialized wine club, which focuses on only one |
| For instance, premium members are offered the | | | | or two specific wine-producing regions. Then there |
| ability to buy wines at discounted prices. If they | | | | are clubs that concentrate on providing only a |
| have a Wine of the Month program, you can be | | | | certain type of wine, such as red, white, or |
| sure that you'll realize significant savings from | | | | champagne. |
| being a member than if you just bought the | | | | As you can see, there are many factors to |
| featured wine at regular prices. Joining a wine club | | | | consider when choosing a wine club to join. But |
| would be a good investment if you are a regular | | | | then, as you can also probably see, there are |
| wine drinker -- which many people are becoming | | | | numerous benefits you can experience if you |
| because of much publicized news about how | | | | choose the right wine club. |