Information Blog: Thursday 03/12/09

Today's Fruit Baskets Article

Wine Clubs - A Convenient Way to Know Wine

Wine clubs have been sprouting up in recent years as a result of an increased

interest in wine and greater wine consumption. In fact, according to figures

from the Wine Institute, sales of wine in the United States went up four percent

in 2004. Exports of wine by other countries to the U.S. remain steady since

foreign wineries have found the United States to be a lucrative place to do

business. For wine lovers and would-be wine drinkers, joining a wine club would

bring numerous benefits.

Many wine clubs count expert vintners or sommeliers among their members. But

you don't need to be a wine aficionado to be able to join a wine club. A great

many clubs welcome both newbies and experts. They offer much information not

only about various wines out in the market, but also about many wine-related

topics; for instance, which type of wine should be served with a certain entr?e;

or news about the latest goings-on in the wine industry.

Wine clubs offer varying membership programs. For the fee you pay, you will

receive wine selections from vineyards whose offerings meet the club's

standards. Clubs can send you their handpicked selections, or give you the

opportunity to make your own selections. Most clubs usually send two bottles of

wine to each member per month; they can be two bottles of red or two of white,

or one of each. Along with the wine, you will also receive pertinent information

about them, such as the winery where they came from, any awards, publicity or

accolades that have been accorded to the vintner, and a description of the

conditions under which the grapes used in the wine were grown.

Wine club membership offers several other perks. For instance, premium

members are offered the ability to buy wines at discounted prices. If they have

a Wine of the Month program, you can be sure that you'll realize significant

savings from being a member than if you just bought the featured wine at regular

prices. Joining a wine club would be a good investment if you are a regular wine

drinker -- which many people are becoming because of much publicized news about

how regular wine consumption has numerous health benefits. Also, most of the

wine clubs today offer gift membership program, which you can give to people who

would enjoy wine either by itself or with a meal.

Many wine stores or retailers have their own wine clubs, which you can join

for a fee. Some clubs offer open-ended programs, meaning you can cancel your

membership anytime. You should base your wine club choice on several factors.

Are the services they offer worth the rate they are charging? What are their

expert credentials -- do they have wine experts who can give sound wine

recommendations? Do they have additional activities for members, such as wine

tastings or perhaps visits to vineyards? You should evaluate these factors and

more before you select a club to join. There are hundreds of wine club web sites

online, and they provide detailed information on what you get for your

money.

People enjoy the benefit of receiving their wine at their doorstep -- no more

need to zip around to a wine seller's physical location for a bottle of vino.

However, you should remember that most U.S. states have strict laws regarding

the shipping of wine from state to state. Perhaps you might consider choosing a

club that has a branch in your particular state because in such cases the law is

not as strict. This is another factor that you should look at when you are

evaluating which club to join.

You can choose to join a wine club that has international coverage -- one

that features wine produced in the world's most popular winery regions, and

whose membership runs in the thousands -- or you could opt for a smaller, more

specialized wine club, which focuses on only one or two specific wine-producing

regions. Then there are clubs that concentrate on providing only a certain type

of wine, such as red, white, or champagne.

As you can see, there are many factors to consider when choosing a wine club

to join. But then, as you can also probably see, there are numerous benefits you

can experience if you choose the right wine club.

Thoughts about Fruit Baskets

The Proper Servicing Of Wine

The Proper service of wine starts as soon as you bring it home. How you handle it, store it, open, and pour it is all a part of wine service protocol....

Click Here to Read More About Wine ...

The Art Of Tasting Wine

When it comes to tasting wine there is certainly a lot of etiquette involved, however this is no reason to become intimidated or run away! Tasting win...

Click Here to Read More About Wine ...

Featured Fruit Baskets Items

Kelty Red Cloud 5000 - Women's Pack

Perfect for recreational backpackers, the Red Cloud offers Kelty's best combination of features, comfort and value.

Customer Review: Excellent backpack!!!

I LOVE THIS BACKPACK!!! It is an excellent deal, and it is worth every single penny!!! I can't wait to get out and use it more this summer. The straps are very comfortable, and even though I have a very small waist, I can get the straps tight enough, which was an issue for me with other packs. The adjustable shoulder straps also allow you to take more pressure off of your shoulders, which is excellent.

Customer Review: Cannot be beat for the price.

For the price, it would be difficult to beat this one. It rides well, is comfortable, and since I am a rather small person (very, very strong, but small), it fit quite well. There are plenty of side pockets and it wears quite well. It is perfect for a week long trip but I did take in on a three week jaunt and while I did have to resupply twice, it got me through. Suggest you choose a darker color due to the dirt situation. Suggest that you purchase an over-tarp for rainy weather since this pack, like ever pack that I ever owned, does leek somewhat. I will say that this is the easiest pack I have ever used on my back. Women are built a bit different than men in this way and the design needs to be a bit different. While I am sure I will try others in the future, I am certainly satisfied with this one at this time. This pack can also take quite a beating.
More product information

Sony Ericsson K660i Wine on Black Unlocked GSM Cell Phone

Sony Ericsson K660i GSM Unlocked Quad-band Phone.
The W660i Walkman® phone. A perfect combination of music, 3G speed and beauty. This mobile phone reflects your taste in music: it's simply impeccable.
More product information

Ancient Rome knowledge cards: Art, civilization and more

A testament to humanitys potential and its frailties, ancient Rome has become a metaphor for both unparalleled dominion and fallen greatness. This deck of Knowledge Cards examines Romes intriguing history, from its rise to regional hegemony as a monarchy to its eventual collapse as an unwieldy bipartite empire, by way of forty-eight antiquities from the British Museum. One side of each card features a color photograph of a Roman artwork or artifact; a concise essay on a related topic appears on the other side. Notable rulers (including Caesar, Nero, and Constantine), outlying provinces (Britannia, Judaea), popular deities and religious practices (both native and imported), technological feats (from innovative horseshoes to architectural marvels like the Colosseum), and favorite Roman pastimes (such as gladiatorial games, chariot races, and public bathing) are among the subjects discussed in this engaging look at A fun European themethe worlds first superpowers.
More product information