Readers may discount today's blog as self-promoting filthy commerce. So shoot me. The point of posting it here is to illuminate the way the market for artisanal wines has become seriously screwed up at all price levels.
Dear Clark: I really enjoyed your CheapSkate 2003 Cabernet Franc, but I can’t get my local retailer to re-order it. I know I can buy it off your website, but doesn’t shipping cost defeat the whole idea of CheapSkate? – Tom from Santa Rosa
Dear Tom: You would think so. But in today’s crazy wine world, the net is actually hands down the best place to find rare wines and for bargains. Don’t get me wrong. You can’t beat the benefits of a personal relationship with a knowledgeable local retailer who can recommend products tailored to your personal taste and budget. But if you’re looking for a specific wine, your chance of finding it on the local shelves is less than 1%.
Looking for a boutique wine in your local shop is like expecting a garage band to play the Concord Pavillion. In 2007 Federal label approvals were issued for 140,000 wines. Your average wine shop might have 300, and the biggest retailers carry as many as 3,000, half of them the corporate McWines.
I’m guessing that about 10% of those 140,000 wines are the usual suspects like Kendall Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay, Mondavi Woodbridge Cabernet, or Sutter Home White Zinfandel. These national brands are pretty easy to find and to comparison price shop. Outside of these mainstream products, forget about it. When it comes to artisanal, hand-crafted limited production mini-boutiques, even your giant retailer can stock one wine in a hundred at best.
The only easy place to find a specific wine from a small producer is on the net. Thanks to the 2005 Supreme Court decision that cracked open interstate commerce, wineries can now ship to 40 States. Since these direct sales have a much higher profit margin for the winery, there are often deep discounts for case purchases in order to defray the cost of shipping.
If you’re interested in a varied diet, my advice is to supplement your regular purchases from your local guru with some sampling off the web from winemakers you like and trust. Joining a wine club will get you extra discounts. Through their websites, winemakers will shower you with information about their techniques and artistic vision, putting you in better touch with why that glass tastes the way it does.
The best wine deals around are the closeouts from partial pallets left over at the end of a vintage. Wineries will often discount these substantially to wine club insiders. It happens that CheapSkate 03 Cab Franc is one of these. We just have a few cases left, available through our Pantry Club at $72 a case. Even when you tack on $25 shipping, you can’t beat that for value.
Comments (2)
I only have one question....Where can you ship a case of wine for $25? Last time I checked, when you ship wine, it is usually done via 2nd Day Air via UPS or Fedex - that will cost $85 per case. That totally obliterates your argument that "buying wine on-line makes sense". Your Cheap skate Cab Franc costs less per case than the shipping.....
Nick:
$25 is for ground shipments. For example, AmericanWInery.com charges that as a flat rate throughout the country, and their 350 wineries all go that way unless the customer wants to pay more. $85 is more like an overnight rate, unless you are buying those bowling pin bottles that weigh fifty pound per case empty, in which example 2nd day air could run that much if you're shipping from California to the East Coast away from a major city. CheapSkate uses sensible lightweight glass and a good old lightweight screwcap.
Mind you, ground shipping is a risky idea in the middle of summer, but it's the industry standard for the rest of the year. Lesson learned: Don't wait til August to lay in your case of CheapSkate! -- Clark
Posted by Nick Radisic | June 3, 2008 4:17 AM
Posted on June 3, 2008 04:17
Clark! I am so glad you are sharing your thoughts on this. I live in a small town that is becoming more and more well known for the great wines it's making, but let me tell you. . . I have some favorites outside this valley that I can't get unless I order from the internet! We have no retail shops only grocery stores, and while their are a few value wines you can get at the grocery, the wines I really want are hand crafted and boutique wines - wines that when my friends come over they ooh and ahh about. Glad I'm not the only one that sees the blessing the internet has become!
Lindi
Posted by Lindi Kauer | June 3, 2008 11:13 AM
Posted on June 3, 2008 11:13