While natural winemaking uses unfined wine, fining brings clarity, taste, and shelf life to wine. However, this process also scrapes off the natural nutrients and aroma of the wine.

Find out all about the meaning of fining, the step-by-step method behind how it works, and comparisons with ways to detect whether or not a wine has been fined.

Fining Defined

While many winemakers believe fining removes the natural texture and color of the wine, processing the wine in this manner while in the cellar is a crucial part of the clarification and stabilization process in winemaking. It’s essential for removing colloids in the wine, which come from tannins, phenolics, and polysaccharides.

Fining is defined as the act of eliminating unwanted elements in the wine. These are usually done with the help of agents or substances that create enzymatic, ionic, or adsorbent bonds for easy removal.

Typically, unwanted particles such as residual grapes and yeast give a hazy or cloudy tint to the wine when it faces heat or light, which is removed by the process.

How The Process Works

While some winemakers filter, others fine, and some others don’t implement either process. Typically, the process is completed prior to bottling the wine or polishing it given it’s part-and-parcel of the tasting notes of a wine.

Take a look at the following steps on how fining takes place in the winemaking process.

• Step 1: Agents such as gelatin, plant proteins, isinglass, casein, eggs, bentonite, cyanide or carbon are added to the wine.
• Step 2: The enzymatic/ionic/adsorbent bonding takes place.
• Step 3: The unwanted particles change into an agglomeration, which dissolves and precipitates into the bottom of the wine.
• Step 4: Wine is racked to eliminate the sediment.

Oftentimes, the winemakers who highlight that the wine has been fined on the bottle disclose the agents used to complete the process as well.

Is Wine Better After Fining?

Red wines are known to derive a softer astringency and color after fining. That’s why the process is often debated amongst wine experts. Check the pros and cons below and decide for yourself.

• Appearance: The process transforms the wine from cloudy or hazy to clear and light.
• Allergy/ Dietary Restrictions: Many techniques include agents that are potential allergens. However, it’s essential for the removal of hydrogen sulfide from the wine.
• Shelf life: When unfined, the suspended particles can make the wine hazy or change its appearance within two to three years or when the proteins denature at high temperatures
• Clarity: While most wines will clear on their own, this process improves stability and clarity of the wine.
• Taste: Many winemakers who engage in this process also say that it reduces the bitterness of the wine by lowering the concentration of the flavors, and hence, most winemakers say ‘unfined’ proudly on the bottle.

How Do You Tell If A Wine Has Undergone Fining?

Wondering if your wine is fined or unfined? Unfined wines have more antioxidants, preventing oxidation, but this may not be a sign of a better wine. To decipher whether your wine at hand is fined, you need to look at the following telltale signs.

• Appearance: If you see suspended particles or multiple layers of color to the wine in the bottle when kept undisturbed for a few hours, the wine isn’t fined.
• Australia and New Zealand wines: The wine labeling laws in these two countries require winemakers to disclose the agents used on the bottle itself.
• French wines: You can see the words ‘ non-collé’, which means unfined in French when you buy unfined wine.
• Other parts: The native equivalent or the word ‘unfined’ may be displayed on the bottle. However, most non-European wine laws don’t require unfined or the equivalent of fined to be displayed on the bottle.

Bottom Line

Fining is the among the best ways to remove the unwanted particles from your wine. While it can remove bitterness, concentration, aroma, and flavor, it can also protect the wine and smoothen its drinkability. You can identify if a wine is fined along with the list of agents from its label mostly.

Seeking fined and unfined wine options? Browse the selections available from your favorite wine club to find the perfect wine club gift that may be fined or unfined depending on your personal preferences.

Delle Venezie is one of Italy’s best-known wine designations, made famous by the huge quantities of crisp, light Pinot Grigio. If you have an Italian Pinot Grigio, there’s a very big chance it comes from there! The territory historically presents a unique microclimate that has allowed the production of wines with specific characteristics and a particular specialization in the production of Pinot grigio. Alps, sea, rivers, and garda lake all surround this cool climate area with an intensely acidic framework.

Did you know the appellation actually allows Spumante (sparkling wines) too! Here’s a perfect example.

Located in Conegliano, in the wine region of Veneto, Italy, the Ponte wine cooperative has been working with the region’s best growers for more than 70 years. Founded in 1948 by a small group of farmers, the company now represents over 1,000 family vineyards who farm some 2,500 hectares of land, ensuring quality production that respects the land and the environment, and gives back to society. I found Coop are often overlooked and underrated, but the fact is they are incredible assets to their respective region’s development.

The Ponte Pinot Grigio Spumante comes from grapes grown in one of the areas of the Prosecco region. It has delicate fruity aroma with notes of evergreen citrus, dried flowers and green almond bitterness. The palate is simple, with limited effervescence, but it still has that interesting touch of bitterness. Overall, it’s a good bubble to discover, especially at 16,75 $

The popularity of Whispering Angel swept across America as the Rosé movement touched down on its shores with a bang. France’s Chateau d’Esclans is the producer behind the catchy name that helped shape the pink wine trend globally.

It has sold over 3.2 million bottles to date. This has made it the number one imported French wine sold in the United States.

The Rise Of The Provencal Rosé

The gorgeous Chateau d’Esclans is located on a prime vineyard elevated above the land near Gorges de Pennafort, the area surrounding it known as La Vallee De Esclans (The Valley of The Clans).

This exceptional estate has sold its wines to more than 100 countries. Their objective to craft the finest wine brand from France in the last 20 years has become a reality.

Americans alone consume more Whispering Angel than any other Provençal rosé. This vino accounts for up to 20% of all the Chateau d’Esclans produce exported to the U.S. annually, with a reported increase in sales.

When the wine debuted in 2007, only 800 cases were sold. In 2017, that number has risen to 300,000.

What Do The Critics Say?

With the rise of the influencers and affordable-luxury seekers, Whispering Angel fell in the laps of people who had the power to change the way Chateau d’Esclans eventually marketed the wine.

Professional wine drinkers and seasoned oenophiles all agreed that there was more to the wine than just a trending hashtag on Instagram. It actually packs a decent punch in terms of quality and doesn’t break your budget.

Food and wine bloggers, magazine editors, and restaurants soon followed suit. Whispering Angel became the drink to be had. Moreover, everyone had to know how amazingly palate-grabbing this vino is.

That Pivotal Moment

Château d’Esclans initially shelled out for their first and only marketing campaign. However, as its popularity grew along the upper east coast, the brand looked elsewhere.

It created brand partnerships with the establishments where millennials went such as SoHo House in New York, Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles, the Beverly Hills Hotel, and the Fontainebleau in Miami. This new approach resulted in this vino hitting the wine industry like a wildfire.

All it took was word of mouth and not a single dime to be spent on any advertising. Before long, Whispering Angel was no longer a drink for those with summer homes in the Hamptons. It swept an entire vino drinking community off its feet.

Food And Whispering Angel

This is a rosé wine that can be enjoyed at any hour of the day. It not only works for warmer weather but also for cooler weather. Its winter credibility is gaining more attention.

Therefore, it’s now paired with heartier dishes. What really stood out was the demand to have their rosé whenever they wanted it – come rain or sunshine.

What can you pair your Whispering Angel with? First off, if you want to keep things clean and lean, opt for a crudité platter. Radishes and Provençal rosé make for a perfect pairing. Just make sure you have good, fresh radishes and maybe a little butter and salt to go with it.

You may want to broaden your food pairing experience with this varietal. It works beautifully with grilled chicken, succulent pork dishes, soft cheeses, and seafood.

Whispering Angel has a delectable personality popping with fresh red berry fruit and a lovely floral aroma. It has a ripe and somewhat fleshy feel on the palate and contains no sugar whatsoever.

The wine’s dry and structured concentration delivers a smooth and round finish and has no astringent bite. This makes it a perfect choice for easy-drinking or food pairing.

Conclusion

This flirty rosé went from a whisper to a joyous scream in no time. It’s easy to understand why it became the most popular of its kind.

Not only does its price tag allow it to be accessible to most people, but it’s also a wine that can be enjoyed with or without a meal thanks to its easy, versatile nature.

 

Old vines are obviously a ‘new thing’. Maybe you’ve spotted a label that claims to be ‘old vine’ or maybe you had the opportunity to savor a glass of wine produced from an older grapevine. However, there’s more to this term than just hype.

What Grape Age Makes A Good Wine?

When does a grape (even one that grows on an old vine) become eligible for harvesting and wine production? What are the factors involved in determining this?

• About three years after a vine is planted, it’ll produce fruit
• At around seven or eight years, the plant will reach adulthood
• A mature grapevine can be anything from 12-25, whereas old vines are over 25 years of age and in some rare cases even more than 50

In Maribor, Slovenia, a rare red variety called Žametovka grows on a grapevine that’s 400 years old, making it the oldest vine according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

What Makes An Aging Vine So Special?

The life cycle of a grapevine is interesting because of how they age and the traits that present themselves as time goes by. These characteristics are by no means applicable to all old vines, but most include the following:

• Old vines usually produce fruit that’s more concentrated. This is partly because they lose productivity with age. In return, the fruit’s deeper concentration yields more concentrated vino
• The roots of these vines work really hard to source nutrients and water from far below their surface. Because of this, older vines aren’t exposed to a larger vintage variation and tend to be more resistant to droughts and floods
• Unripe tannins in grapes can result in a green, astringent taste. With older vines, there’s a more consistent physiological ripeness that’s achieved
• The older a vine grows, the less futzing they need (if the vines are in tip-top shape)
• Reduced production is a key factor that makes older vine varietals a rarity. However, less production means less money for a grape grower or winemaker
• Older vines are rarely on-trend in the vino scene and that’s partly because they’re  grown with varieties that aren’t considered in vogue. These include petite Sirah, carignan, zinfandel, and trousseau. Moreover, growers can’t charge a high price for their grapes. However, there are instances where winemakers might hike the price because of rarity and quality.

Regions With Aged Vineyards

Even if these old vine varietals are considered hard to come by, you’ll be surprised to know that there are regions that are known for their elderly grapevines. These gems have remained in the one place where growers didn’t restructure their lands with varieties that sell better on the market.

Let’s see where these places are so you can plan an old vino expedition.

Languedoc, Southern France

The 1970s was a time when Languedoc was baptized as “the wine lake.” This was because it was overflowing in its production of the Carignan grape. This became a bit of an issue since there was too much vino that was leftover. Imagine that…

These varietals actually ended up as supplements in the distillation process for fuel. Farmers were paid to pull out their vines. Although, there were a few who stood strong and kept their production steady until now.

Santorini, Greece

Red wines aren’t the only type of vino that enjoyed the benefits of growing in mature vineyards. Santorini island is proof that the rare variety assyrtiko grew to be a spectacular breed thanks to its unique growing method of wreath-shaped vines. The higher-quality grapes are used to produce a rare oaked version of assyrtiko called nykteri, which is very similar to white burgundy.

Lodi, California

Many tourists flock to Napa Valley when, in fact, Lodi is the place they need to visit. This region has 100,000 acres of vineyards. It was also the epicenter of grape production back in the late 1800s. Stop by to try out mesmerizing regional Tannat, Touriga Nacional, and Trousseau. For even more spectacular varietals from this city, check out The California Wine Club. 

Conclusion

The wine industry adapts and evolves the same as everything else does, and it’s necessary. However, in hindsight, we need old vine wines to tell a story of times gone by. In a way, they’re a preservation of history. We must celebrate these varietals that paved the way for how we enjoy our wines today.

 

Unlike the decanting cradles used ages ago, today you don’t need to decant most wines. However, what about the sediments that are often seen at the bottom of many red wines?

Read on to explore the meaning and function of decanting. Also included are how to use a decanter, which wines should be decanted, and wine clubs where you can buy reliable vessels

What Is a Decanter?

By definition, the vessel used for decantation of liquid is called a decanter. This is typically a glass vessel used to collect the sediment of wines and other liquids, while carafes are aesthetically-pleasing bottles for serving wine.

This vessel can enhance the taste, body, and shelf life of your wines as you can see below.

• Decanting removes sediments often seen in aged wine bottles.
• Aeration or the process of letting the wine bottle breathe sometimes helps to change the peculiar smell of wines.
• Decanting will mellow the wine and soften its flavors.
• Aesthetics of the wine bottle may not be as appealing as a sculpted crystal vessel on the anniversary dining table.
• If you have opened a corked bottle of wine, a decanter can be used to store the wine for longer periods.

How Do You Use a Decanter?

Here’s how to use this special vessel for improving the flavor and appearance of your aged wines:

• Set the bottle horizontally or vertically based on preferences for 24 hours before serving.
• Remove the cork or closure.
• Clean the mouth of the wine bottle.
• Light up a candle at a convenient spot underneath where you intend to pour the wine.
• Pour the wine at a slow pace.
• Watch the transparency of the wine you’re pouring.
• Stop pouring when you see sediments.

Waste the rest up to two ounces.

Which Wines Should Be Decanted?

Take a look at the list of wines that should and shouldn’t be decanted.

• Old and young red wines often will have a lot of sediment at the bottom of the bottle to decant.
• Old red wines and rosés don’t need decanting and if you try to decant them further, it might get oxidized easily.
• Decanting is ideal for wines such as Vintage Ports, Aged Bordeaux, Malbec, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Burgundy to separate the sediment.
• Barrel-aged wines are often seen with sediments unlike oak or steel aged.
• Cold-climate grape grown wines are tastier when left open for a few hours before serving.

Wine Decanting Myths

The following will help you separate fact from fiction when it comes to decanting wine.

• All wines should be decanted: False. Not all wines need to be decanted as aforementioned and a good swirl is all you need for aerating most wines.
• Decanting can be used to remove the rotten egg smell: True. The rotten egg aroma is the telltale sign of hydrogen sulfide and you can stabilize the wine after an hour inside the vessel.
• All decanters are safe: False. When lead crystal is used in this type of vessel, it often bleeds into the wine when stored for long periods.
• Decanting for one hour is sufficient: It’s variable. While old wines may only take 30 minutes, younger wines might need up to 2 hours.

Where To Buy A Decanter

These vessels are useful and affordable. Here are the top wine clubs where you can find them online:

Gold Medal Wine Club

A club selection item, you’re getting an engraved crystal decanter from GMWC at $49 for one and $147 for three vessels. The exquisite shape and texture makes it a must-have accompaniment for your wine collection.

Winc

If you want the ultimate vessel set for your organic wine or white wine collection, Winc’s Wine Collector’s Kit is the perfect thing at $135. It has a gorgeous and sturdy decanter from Riedel, but also comes with three Riedel glasses and a Garçon corkscrew.

Bottom Line

Whether you’re drinking red wine or vegan wine, a decanter can do much more than just catch the sediment. It aerates old and young wines, besides letting it breathe or change the smell. Try it out for yourself to see the results with a promising selection of wines from an online wine club.

The world of wine is spectacularly rich given the range of flavors and types available. Accordingly, there is no better way to engage the senses and excite friends and family than trying multiple bottles in a single session with a tasting.

To make the most of a wine tasting, you need to have a knack for picking the right theme, guest list, table, food, and supplies to host a successful party. Keep reading for a walk through the steps for hosting in style.

Select A Theme

While you can make a random selection of wines or pick from wine club plans for a more curated experience, a theme sets the tone to your tasting like nothing else.

Take a look at the different types of themes you can use below.

• Wine Regions can be sampled by picking one region and assessing the qualities of several wines
• Blind Tasting is where you hide the wine label, only to reveal it at the end
• Wild Varieties can be assessed by sampling the same varietal from different regions
• Vintage tasting refers to picking one wine and several vintage versions of the same bottle
• Budget Tasting is when you set a budget for the wines that can be brought by guests joining the party

Limit the Guest Count

Considering expensive cases of Old World reds from your favorite red wine club online? That sounds grand, but you need to know the total guest count before purchasing. Here’s what you need to do:

• Keeping the guests below 10 brings out intimate moments. Moreover, you might need duplicate bottles of the same wine if you decide on higher numbers of guests
• The rule of thumb is one wine bottle per person, whereby 12 two-ounce pours are available from one bottle containing 24 ounces
• When you’re just getting started, go with a small pour so that guests don’t get tipsy too quickly

Choose the Food

Matching culinary delights with a wine tasting is more serious than a wedding party. In fact, serious wine enthusiasts pair food with wines by the acidity, tannins, sweetness, alcohol, and other characteristics.

The following are possible suggestions for pairing different dishes with all manner of wines.

• Red Wine: Steaks, lamb chops, BBQ, chocolate desserts, and aged cheese
• White Wine: Seafood, poultry, roasted meat, salads, herb patties, and aged cheese
• Rosé Wine: Soft cheeses, salads, tartelettes, charcuterie, roasted veggies, rare lamb, and salmon

In addition to the above, make sure that you notify the guests about the spread to avoid allergy issues beforehand. Another professional tip for hosts is to stick to bite-sized food.

Get The Supplies

When you’re throwing a birthday party, you can get away with just cake, but for a tasting, you definitely need the following.

• Glassware: Arrange one to two wine glasses per person for comparing effortlessly
• Water: Keep a jug of water or more on the center table
• Notes: Provide a sheet of paper and pens to facilitate noting wine information
• Palate cleanser: From bread to crackers, apple slices, banana or pickles will do the job
• Spit bucket: Make sure every guest has a personal bucket or vessel if they prefer to spit wines after tasting instead of drinking everything

Set A Table

Thinking of ordering pink libations from your favorite Rose wine club? You might want to look at how experts set the table for wine tasting occasions first because it sets the ambiance of your party.

The following lists the most important tips for beginners.

• White tabletop: You can use a long satin fabric or a craft roll of white paper to set the table in white so that everything on it remains clear to the guests
• Scents: In addition to notifying your guests that strong perfumes and scents can clash with the senses required for wine tasting, avoid room fresheners, potpourri, and scented candles

Wine Preparations

Should you uncork the bottle and immediately pour at will during a wine tasting party? Absolutely not. Here is the serving etiquette to keep in mind when hosting your own tasting party:

• Red wine: Store reds for 1.5 hours before serving at 55°F to 65°F depending on its body
• White wine: Chill whites for up to 2 hours in the refrigerator at temperatures ranging from 45°F to 60°F based on body characteristics
• Rosé wine: Serve Rosé at 46°F to 60°F based on whether it’s sweet or dry

You can also use aerators, decanters, and other cooling techniques to retain the temperature of the wine after uncorking. Moreover, don’t forget to let the wine breathe a bit after opening.

Bottom Line

A wine tasting party is nothing like a regular party. Starting from the theme to the vibe of the party, guest list, food, and supplies, a tasting comprises many steps for hosting a memorable experience your guests will treasure.

Follow the directions above when setting the table and serving bottles from your favorite wine club so that you have an unforgettable time.

Viens Alfred, la commande est arrivée!

Depuis quelques temps, j’ai un nouveau collègue de travail. Il s’appelle Alfred et il fait maintenant partie intégrante de l’équipe de l’Auberge Ripplecove où je suis sommelière. Il n’y a pas une bouteille qui n’entre ou qui sortent du cellier sans qu’Alfred soit au courant. C’est un gestionnaire, un comptable et un contrôleur à la fois. Après en avoir fait l’expérience, j’avais envie d’en parler.

Alfred, c’est bien plus qu’une application. C’est un leader de l’industrie dans le développement de l’intelligence Artificielle adaptée au vin. Fondée en 2008 à Québec, Celliers Intelligents conçoit et commercialise Alfred, une plateforme technologique qui simplifie la gestion des inventaires et des approvisionnements en vin. Spécialisé dans les secteurs de l’hôtellerie et de la restauration, ALFRED utilise l’intelligence artificielle pour gérer le vieillissement et la rotation des stocks tout en réduisant le risque d’erreurs d’inventaire. La plateforme permet notamment de comparer les prix à l’internationale et toujours être à jour sur la valeur marchande, connaître la période de dégustation optimale, connaître les statistiques de votre collection et de faciliter la gestion des stocks de façon intelligente. C’est ce qu’on appelle un algorithme bien fait. Ça fait plaisir de voir des entreprises aussi engagées ici, au Québec, qui offre à la fois support et innovation.

Honnêtement, la transition vers une gestion numérique comme celle qu’offre Alfred ne se fait pas du jour au lendemain. C’est plutôt une adaptation. Déjà, il faut apprendre à se connaître avant de se faire confiance. Il y a la formation du personnel sur place à faire et la gestion des erreurs et oublis. Ça prend du temps et une organisation très stricte, mais on commence à voir les bienfaits. L’inventaire est en ordre plus que jamais, on prépare l’arrivée d’une carte des vins numérique qui facilitera la mise à jour continuelle de la carte des vins et l’organisation du cellier est magnifique. Je vois qu’Alfred devient petit à petit un allié indispensable.

 

Want to discover cheap wines that will fool your friends’ expensive palates? If you’re looking for reds, whites, or rosés for your next backyard BBQ session, the following article will help you as it features over 30 wine varieties for 30 different barbeques.

Read on to find out the top three wine clubs with exclusive grilling offers if you don’t want to make the choices yourself.

How To Pick A Perfect Wine For A BBQ

While focusing on the terroir choices for deciding the right wine for BBQ foods is a good place to start, it rarely works for everyone, especially if you’re not in the country where the wine was produced.

Instead, consider the characteristics of wines after comparing their flavors and that of barbequed foods to create delectable combinations like those highlighted below:

• Fatty/smoky dishes are best paired with sweet or acidic wines with high tannins.
• Hot and spicy BBQ demands sweet wine with a high fruit factor.
• Sour and salty style of grilling pairs well with off-dry or dry wines.
• Red wine pairs well with red meats while white wine is best enjoyed with white meats.
• Sauces:

• Sweet sauces complement wines containing high tannin levels and low acidity.
• Classic sauces blend with medium-bodied wines showing above-average acidity.
• Spicy mustard sauces demand full-bodied wines with a high amount of tannins.

The Best Red Wines For A BBQ

Try any of these 15 red wines that go well with different types of BBQ as shown below.

Pork

When you’re grilling pork chops, nothing beats Cabernet Sauvignon while pork ribs go well with Barbera and Chianti pairs excellently with roast pork.

Beef

The right way to celebrate beef brisket is with Tempranillo while Malbec complements grilled beef and Sangiovese brings new tastes when enjoyed with beef tenderloin roast.

Lamb

Aglianico with roast lamb is a crowd-favorite while BBQ leg of lamb works well with Chateauneuf-du-Pape whereas Merlot with lamb shanks tastes divine.

Steak

Enjoy dry Zinfandel with beef steak and Barolo with lamb steak while a Super Tuscan is the best choice for pork steaks.

Burger

Experts suggest Shiraz for the beef burger and Grenache with chicken sliders. Still, Cabernet Sauvignon with a grilled hamburger is divine.

The Best White Wines For A BBQ

Here are 15 barbequed foods and white wines that pair well with them:

Seafood

Try Sauvignon Blanc with roasted lobster, Viognier for grilled salmon, or Pinot Gris with halibut steak to uplift the palate.

Poultry

Chardonnay for grilled chicken breasts works great while Grüner Veltliner with roasted chicken is flavor-expressive and White Zinfandel for BBQ chicken thighs makes a superb combination.

Vegetables

Sip Torrontés with roasted potatoes, or Chenin Blanc with savory grilled cheese while Pinot Blanc with bell pepper skewers will reveal unforgettable flavors.

Steak

When barbequing chicken steak, try Pinot Noir. Alternatively, Marsanne is a great combination with salmon steak, and Albariño works delectably with sardine steaks.

Burger

Flavors of chicken BBQ burger blend well with Grechetto while White Pinot Noir with a grilled tuna burger is a treat for the palate. If you’re having roasted veggie burger, consider going for a Roussanne.

The Best Wine Clubs For BBQ Season

Looking for organic red wine online for BBQ season? Stop experimenting and start tasting like sommeliers by joining one of the wine clubs below with their tailored set of wines for barbeques. They will send you insightful food pairings too so that you don’t have to figure out all the right combinations on your own.

WSJwine Club

Featuring over 12 bottles of four different red wines, this online red wine club offers special wines to accompany grilling at $159.88. You will receive Tempranillo, Grenache, Aglianico, and Red blend wines that pair well with red meats, roasted veggies, and strong cheeses.

Naked Wines

One of the best companies without multiple wine club membership plans, the All-American BBQ pack of 11 unique wines on Naked Wines is a mix of whites, reds, and rosés. It is priced at $123 and pairs well with a range of BBQ delicacies such as burgers, white meats, red meats, and veggies.

Laithwaites

If you want the best red wine for BBQ soon, order the pack of 12 rich reds in ‘Fire Up The Grill’ package priced at $149.88. The Shiraz, Red Blend, Tempranillo, and Malbec wines in this offer complement beef, pork, steaks, and game.

Bottom Line

It is important to select wines for barbequed delicacies based on the tasting notes and flavor profile. Instead of selecting random wines against your BBQ favorites, sign up for a wine club such as Naked Wines, Laithwaites, or WSJwine to let the experts help you uncover guaranteed crowd pleasers.

 

Have you ever signed up for a wine club? The benefits to a wine connoisseur, aficionado, or even someone with a passing interest can be great. Many clubs offer single servings, advice on pairings, and tastings which you can use to enhance your interests. Others offer preorganized cases of wine deliveries on a regular basis, perhaps chosen for you personally. These clubs do not have to be expensive, and often the price per bottle when ordering can work out as cheaper than at your local shop.

Below are our three top picks for online wine club membership plans this spring.

Plonk Wine Club

Plonk has the top-rated monthly wine club worldwide and offers a huge range of wines to suit every taste, including an impressive organic collection. Its team of wine concierges offers you the best combination of hard to find tipples and exotic vinos.

Plonk has various plans so you can choose which is best suited to you, depending on price range, how much wine you would like and how regularly, and which is your favorite drink. Whether you know exactly what you want or don’t have a clue, Plonk will still be able to prepare for you a deeply satisfactory case of wines. All shipping on Plonk wine club membership is free, and it offers monthly or quarterly deliveries.

California Wine Club

The California Wine Club is also a very popular service, having developed greatly since its inception back in 1990. This club prioritizes new wines, with a great relationship with most of its winemakers. The California Wine Club rejects hundreds of wines each year, with a view to hosting only the most special and delicious options.

This website offers five different ‘wine of the month’ club levels which can be altered and tailored to more specific needs if you require it. These California Wine Club membership plans can be bought for yourself, or as a gift, and all come with many benefits, such as an interactive online guide to all wines you receive, including personal tales from the wineries plus tasting and pairing notes.

One big advantage to the California Wine Club’s services is that any wine you enjoy and would like to try again is made available to you for half price and with $1 shipping fees.

VineBox

VineBox is another longstanding and well known online wine club that has brilliant reviews. A unique aspect of VineBox’s plans is that it delivers wine in a single serving tube, amounting to a large glass’ worth. This way, you can sample wine you are unsure of while not taking the risk of ordering a whole bottle that you may not like.

When you pair this offering with the fact that VineBox will work hands-on with you to determine exactly which type of wine you are wanting to try, you will no doubt enjoy its exemplary service. The ability to choose a handful of wines at any time allows you to refine your taste and better understand what flavors you prefer.

The Bottom Line

Whichever of these companies you choose to sign up to a plan with, you can be assured that you will receive great quality wines to your door in a timely and satisfactory manner.  If you are looking to try many new wines and learn more about your palate, VineBox may be the one for you, whereas someone interested in more niche but guaranteed quality wines may prefer the California Wine Club. Finally, those who know which wine they like and are happy to stick with it may be better suited to Plonk Wine Club.

 

Starting the tear on the right foot also means starting with the right wine. 2020 will be a fabulous year, you need to greet it as so. Here’s a few wines & spirits to let your festive version of yourself share and enjoy with your friends and family. And remember, life’s too short to drink bad wine, this could be one of the best new year resolution ever! And I can even help you with it!!

Bubbles

#1 Devaux Coeur des Bar Blanc De Noirs Brut      SAQ : 55.25$

The small region of the Aube, a little isolated from the rest of Champagne, also called Côte des bars hides some impressive jewels. In this region, the pinot noir is largely majority (a little more than 80%). It is therefore quite natural that Maison Devaux offers us, with this Coeur des Bar champagne, a blanc de noir 100% pinot noir! This vinous champagne with an aging of 3 years has intense aromas of ripe citrus, notes of toast, all sprinkled with white flowers. On the palate, the finesse and delicacy of the bubbles is matched only by the aromatic power of the wine.

#2 Champagne Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé           SAQ : 119.25 $

Today, François and Antoine Roland-Billecart represent the 6th generation of the domain. It has a sense of hidden gem or discreet little treasure. The perfectly maintained garden, the family home and all the different production buildings represent a good part of the small village of Mareuil-Sur-Aÿ. Brut Rosé is probably the most famous wine in the area, it is a gourmet rosé. The pale, salmon and distinctive color is a well-kept secret. Any question concerning it directly or indirectly would be treated with a strict look. Lively, dry, full of fruit and tight acidity, this is a delicious champagne. It is textured and zesty, with a fragrant layer and some notes of toast and nuts.

#3 Parés Baltà Blanca Cusiné  2011                            SAQ: 36.00 $

This blend of traditional Xarel-lo, and two historic grape varieties for the production of sparkling wines: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir knows how to demonstrate the excellence and potential of Spanish Cavas and sparkling wines. The ripe aromas of dried fruit, ginger and yeast blend with the vinous and Rancio character. The lemon palate is lively, with a taste of candied grapefruit and tangerine. Notes of lightly buttered toast and white pepper appear on the finish to give complexity to throw yourself on the ground.

#4 Bera Vittorio e figli Moscato d’Asti, Bera Canelli 2017   SAQ :24.50 $

In 1964, Vittorio Bera e Figli was the first family vineyard to bottle and market its own Moscato d’Asti in Canelli, the most famous Moscato growing area in Piedmont. The history of the estate is venerable and dates back to 1785. There is a richness of flavor and striking texture through the sweetness, layers of complexity, deeply perfumed notes of tangerine skin, white flower and peach, which allow it to age well even. This is a good surprise from a category which, at its best, even among reputable winegrowers, is generally only a light and pleasant sigh of a sweet and simple wine.

#5 Ottopiu V8 + Sior Carlo Brut Millesimato 2018                                 SAQ: 17.55$

This Prosecco is very interesting with a solid salty side. Its delicate floral notes, almonds and green apples are simple, but very fresh. The bubbles are quite fine, slightly frothy, especially for a Prosecco, which gives it an elegant and full touch. This is a very good example of the potential of Prosecco.

#6 Fiol Prosecco                                          SAQ: 15.90$

The word “fiol” comes from the dialect spoken in Venice in the 1400s. It means “ragazzo”, or “dude”, but used with friends, it identifies the brightest of them. FIOL is a sparkling wine with a delicate straw yellow color, with clear aromas of pear and melon with lemon and acacia flowers. It has light alcohol content and a lively acidity which is not overpowering, but which gives it perfect freshness. Simple, frank, honest.

White

#7 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Saint-Péray Les Sauvagères 2017       SAQ : 27.75$

A confidential appellation but which deserves to be known by all. Here, the “Les Sauvagère” cuvée is a marsanne hymn, a grape variety known of course but also quite rare. This white, rich in color as in taste, will not leave indifferent, lovers of great white wines from the Rhône. The fruity structure is perfectly preserved and the minerality is omnipresent.

RED

#8 Domaine de Longue Toque Gigondas 2016                                          SAQ : 43.00$

The Gigondas wines of Domaine de Longue Toque spread out on 18ha, the Ouvèze river to the Dentelles de Montmirail. Before the acquisition in 1991 this vineyard belonged to the Chapalain family. The 201 vintage has a very deep and concentrated smell almost sweet and candied because of the intense ripeness. It’s reminiscent of chocolate coated cherries and cranberries. It’s structured, yet very approachable and lengthy.

#9 Château Pesquié Ventoux Terrasses 2017                                              SAQ: 17.55$

This is considered the blend of all the soil portfolio of the now Biodynamic estate. A little bit of all the geologic diversity and the variety diversity. Even if Grenache is dominant, it feels like syrah is dominant in tasting bringing interesting notes of graphite, new leather and violets as well as structure and pepper tones.

#10 Milhistorias Garnacha Manchuela 2018             SAQ : 15.95$

Perched at an altitude of more than 1100 meters, the 120 hectares of Alto Landon are among the highest in Spain. This excellent organic wine has an intense and bright cherry colour. The nose is clean and intense, lots of black fruits, candy and floral notes.  A medley of plum, strawberry, black cherry and black currant with undertones of white pepper, earthy notes, and a very pleasant balsamic end.This is elegant, crisp with mineral undertones and notes of rosemary and cedar that emerge as the wine evolves – not to mention the soft but vibrant tannins.

#11 Fattoria dei barbi, brunello di Montalcino 2013                                  SAQ: 48.85 $

As the first Brunello imported in the USA, and with a growing part of the production destined to export, 55% going towards 60%, Fattoria dei Barbi  is a historic estate that continues to be a pioneer in Tuscan wines. If the name doesn’t sound a clue, the very recognizable blue label might. This Brunello is the benchmark of the estate, consistent, classic and made every year, independently of the vintage conditions. This wine is an explosion of flavors with a great variety in its aromatic profile: Underbrush, dark spices, herbs, wild berries aromas lead the nose. The solid palate offers Maraschino cherry, prune and ground clove alongside firm tannins.

#12 Petra Zingari Toscana 2015                         SAQ: 19.45$

Petra is the Tuscan project of Vittorio moretti’s daughter, Francesca Moretti. It was started from scratch on top of Maremma where it used to be a swamp. That was already 20 years ago. It all started with a single 4 hectares plot where varietals were mix in an experimental stages. They managed to find the most suited varietals and this plot is now used to produce the Zingari Label. The little experiment has grown as the estate is now 300 hectares wide. To explore the region may appear as trendy at that time, but it wasn’t an obvious choice to established this estate isolated from Bolgheri, in the lesser known region of Val di Cornia and the newly allowed Suvereto DOCG.

Quite the unique & rustic wine. The structure is bold and nonchalant at the same time and there’s just the whole spice rack, fresh and dry, in there. The personalized and complex approach is very interesting overall. It may not be the most elegant & refined wine but it has an interesting originality.

#13 Peter Lehmann The Barossan Shiraz Barossa 2017            SAQ : 19.95$

Peter Lehmann is a man closely linked with the Barossa history, but the estate history is mostly one of collectivity and mutual help. In 1977, as winemaker at the Saltram winery in Barossa, he had to deal with a serious surplus of grapes. That troublesome vintage was growing into a major problem for the region/growers and this went on into vintage 1978 too. Peter took on the side project to use those grapes left behind and built his own brand called Masterson wines. This was a huge gamble as all the agreement were based on a ‘Pay now, I promess to deliver in two years’ basis. As time passed by, the focus really switched to quality wines that represent the Barossan identity and terroir.

The newest release of Peter Lehmann does showcase the winemaker’s team vision. They wanted to work and have a special care for the tannins and structure of the wine. The goal was to make it smooth and soft which was a success. The wine is as flavoursome as it can get with an integrated structure filled with tannins, yes, but with a silky soft texture.

Others

#14 Sainte Marie Rhum épicé                              SAQ : 37.00$

The raw material for this well-known Quebec-made rhum is a green molasses from Guatemala. This bright and pinkish spitrit comes from a maceration of a few ingredients. First there are the fruits (cantaloupes and cranberries from Quebec) and then there are the spices (star anise, Sichuan pepper and Jamaican pepper). It’s very different from anything we’re used to when it comes to spiced rum. There’s a simplicity and a festive side to this unique taste!

#15 J.H. Andresen 10 ans                                          SAQ : 27.45 $

Founded in 1845, JH Andresen is one of the few 100% family-owned port houses in Portugal. All of Andresen’s ports are now located in Quinta das Aranhas, near the river, in the heart of the Douro region. Certainly, a little age can give a rich and complex aromatic profile to white ports. Soft, ripe and silky, the wine has a rounded character which is balanced by a frank and delicious acidity. Quince, honey and wild flowers come to mind. It is rich, full of fruit, with a wooden touch and a nice caramel note. It shows the typical characteristics of a 10 year old Tawny, but with the delicacy of white Ports.