Tips for Joining Wine Clubs

Wine clubs offer many advantages and disadvantages to members. The first thing to know is that wine clubs are the result of a marketing strategy. This is a way to promote wine sales. However, this does not have to be a bad thing. If you are interested in being exposed to wine (which includes learning about, tasting, and purchasing) then you fall into the demographic that can benefit from being a member of a wine club. Here are some tips to help you choose a wine club that is as good a fit as possible.

Discounts

When you belong to a wine club you can generally expect wine shipments. The size and frequency of shipments will vary from club to club, but 2 or more bottles is normal with a few shipments per year. These shipments will generally come with a discount of around 10% to 20%. However, in some instances the shipping charges may actually meet or even exceed the discounts you receive.

You can also receive a discount on not only wines but also other merchandise through the wine club or from the winery directly. Again, though, these discounts are based on the full retail pricing. There are often wine shops that will give just as much of a discount, if not better, for the larger wineries on bulk purchases.

The primary reason to join a wine club should not be for the discounts. As you can see there are some financial benefits to being a member however they vary greatly from club to club and are often entirely countered by other costs. The discounts should be the icing on the cake as an added benefit rather than the cake itself.

Variety

Everyone likes surprises. If you join a wine club it is a safe bet that you enjoy wine so receiving periodical surprise wine shipments can be a fun experience. When you join a wine club through a specific winery, this is a good way to stay up to date on the latest wine from your favorite winery. If you like the idea of being ahead of the curve, sometimes you can even get your hands on the grapes before the general public. Or even better for those that enjoy exclusivity, some wineries will offer reserve or special releases that are not made available outside the winery or wine club.

The negative aspect of receiving shipments is that you just may receive a wine you do not particularly enjoy. This is really something you should chalk up to broadening your horizons. You cannot expect every chance you take to turn out perfectly. Though some clubs do however offer you the option of a refund for wines you do not like.

Perks

Clubs will usually offer perks. Special events offered by the winery or other events such as wine tasting weekends for wine club members only are some examples. These can be not only a nice experience but a good chance to interact with other members of the club in an environment geared towards the learning of and enjoyment of wine.

Requirements

Some wine clubs will charge a membership fee. This fee can vary quite dramatically from one club to the next. This price should be whatever you feel comfortable paying. Take it into consideration along with the other benefits of the club to determine if the cost to you is worth your gain. Though most clubs will allow you to quit at any time, you will have to email or call the winery or club itself to officially retract your membership. It can be human nature to forget about such things or procrastinate.

The biggest reasons to join a wine club are for the social aspects and the learning experience. You will have a good opportunity to taste, learn about, and own some wines that will broaden your horizons. Additionally this will often be in the presence of others who enjoy wine for the same reasons as you so you will expand your social network with people of similar taste. The secondary reasons should be the discounts, perks and other fringe benefits that generally come along with being a member of a wine club.