Wine of the Month Club the oldest mail order wine service in America.
"I can think of few better gifts than the gift of wine."
I recently received a sample shipment from the Wine of the Month Club out of Arcadia, California. The Wine of the Month Club has been shipping wine since 1972. The theme of this shipment was, "Give the perfect gift...Wine!"
This Wine Club offers 4 month, 6 month and 12 month Memberships. Each month the member or gift receiver, receives two bottles of wine selected by the Cellarmaster Paul Kalemkiarian. He guarantees, "You never pay for a wine you do not like". Wine is shipped direct to your address.
Wine Club Memberships are available at 4 different levels of "interest" which includes:
1. The Classic Series - The original club. 2 wines a month. Choose red + white, reds only or whites only.
2. The Vintner Series - The next tier for those interested in a variety of grapes and regions.
3. The Limited Series - Upper tier club. Wines selected for aging potential and character.
4. The California Series - A red wine only club of collectible California wines.
The sample shipment I received included a 24 page newsletter with wine tasting notes, food pairing suggestions and pricing for re-orders. Yes, you can order more if you like the wines you received. The wines I received were carefully packed and presented in an attractive burgundy linen gift box. Nice presentation. These wines were part of the Classic Series Gift Membership, both wines were from California, a 2012 Red Autumn Chardonnay and a 2012 Oak Grove Petite Sirah.
Tasting Notes:
2012 Red Autumn Chardonnay
Color: Pale straw.
Nose: Pleasant, pear, edged with yeast and ginger.
Palate: Creamy, fresh down the tongue, apple, pear, really nice and tasty across the entire palate. Whoa, this bottle went fast. Like.
Thoughts: This wine was made by La Quaterna/Fior di Sol in Napa. I understand why this wine was included in this shipment. It is a ready to drink, balanced, not over the top, tasty Chardonnay. It just wants to be enjoyed. Recommended.
Closure: 2+1 cork
ABV: 13.9%
For information on pricing and options visit www.wineofthemonthclub.com or call 1-800-949-9463.
2012 Oak Grove Petite Sirah
Color: Clear Ruby to Violet.
Nose: Light fruit, raspberry, cranberry, light earth, spice.
Palate: Light body, raspberry, cranberry, gentle tannin, earthy push with modest spice on finish. Enjoyable light bodied red wine, would be good with ham or pork tenderloin.
After 20 minutes: Cheerful, broader on the palate and drier, with dried cherry and tasty medium fruit. Happy light drinking wine. Good companion with turkey dinner. Wonderful wine and food pairing.
After an hour: Spicier, rich, almost jammy fruit, cherry and cranberry stood out, not too fruity or spicy. Balanced, drinking bigger. Duck would be good to pair at this point. Demure finish for enjoying food. Like.
Thoughts: Oak grove wines are made from grapes from Monterey County, Arroyo Seco and Paso Robles. I don't often see Petite Sirah, so this wine was a treat for me. It delivered a lot of taste in a food ready wine. Not over the top and quite suitable to pair with grilled or smoked meats. Recommended.
Closure: Natural Cork
ABV: 13%
For information on pricing and options visit www.wineofthemonthclub.com or call 1-800-949-9463.
Who is this Club for?
The wines I received were both tasty and enjoyable wines. This Classic Series would be an appropriate gift for someone looking to experience a variety of tasty and affordable wines each month. It would be a perfect gift for the aspiring wine "connoisseur." The tasting notes include maps, descriptions of the AVA and related growing regions as well as descriptive tasting notes. An especially good gift since not everyone lives near wine country.
Is this the kind of gift I would enjoy?
Perusing the newsletter I received, their Vintner Series and Limited Series included different wines. Wines in those shipments were from France and Spain in the Vintners package and the Limited had French and New Zealand wines. That would be more my speed and would definitely keep my interest each month. Hint, hint.
I can think of few better gifts than the gift of wine. For me, receiving a surprise monthly gift of wine would be like celebrating a birthday each and every month. I encourage you to visit their online store and look at their wine themed gift baskets too. The "Classy Girl" Insulated Wine Purses were new to me. A suitable way of gifting your best friends and family.
For information on pricing and options visit www.wineofthemonthclub.com or call 1-800-949-9463.
*Note: To receive wine shipments someone 21 years or older must be present to sign for the wine shipment. I typically have my wine shipped to the office. Otherwise, I have to notify the shipper that I will collect my wine at the shippers warehouse.
A hearty thank you to the Wine of the Month Club.
Cheers!