Wine Club Of the Month- Ask Yourself This!

When we were considering whether or not to join a wine club of the month, we had no idea whether it as a good or a bad idea, so we put together a list of questions and started hunting for one we liked.  One thing we did notice was that we were drawn to the more visually pleasing sites and they weren't always the ones with the best value, so here is a list of questions that you may want to ask yourself (and the wine club) when you are deciding to join a wine club.

1. Why should I choose this particular wine of the month club?

Look for customer testimonials, selection and variety, educational information and opportunities, social function and wine tasting opportunities, regular (informative and current) newsletters, but mostly you are looking for information on customer satisfaction.  If you can't find it look for the contact information and phone or contact one of the reps to see if they have anything published you can see.

2. Are the wines selected be of the premium quality type, selected by worldwide experts, whose selections are based on the more traditional factors of complexity, aroma, and international tasting honors received, or are they standard choices that are easily found in most places?

3. Are you receiving a variety each month, or will there be duplicates?  And What guarantees can you get if you don't like the wine you are sent?

4. Will you be receiving a full-size bottle of wine (750ml) or a sample-size bottle of wine?

5. Is the packaging top rate, in a way that prevents spoilage and breakage, with safe delivery guaranteed?  Is it shipped timely?  Shipped outside of the USA-(if so, how, since most wine clubs do not allow this because of the higher risk of spoilage and breakage)?

Hint: Know that deliveries to PO Boxes, FPO or APO Boxes are not normally allowed, because of the alcohol content, most policies state that you are required to be 21 years of age to sign for a delivery of alcohol, or to become a member of a monthly wine club, which therefore ethically and federally regulated requirements mandate that deliveries of alcohol can only be made to residential or business addresses-for enforcement purposes (it's not a plot to make your life difficult because there exists a high rate of teen alcohol consumption with lax rules on this).  Banning or restricting home deliveries may be part of a local ordinance or a state law. Communities that do not want to completely ban home deliveries can and will impose restrictions.

6. Are the selections the latest available or leftover from not so great previous selections?  In other words, are the monthly selections hand-picked (by season?) And, are you allowed to choose your own selection?

7. Always ask the question about guarantees, membership cancellation, length of memberships, and refund restrictions or (any) additional costs. And, don't forget to inquire about any discounts, too!

These questions helped us weed out the good grapes and kept us from the sour ones!  We hope you find them useful too!