Current Events > Anyone in a wine of the month club?

(+) Yeah! (+)

I just joined one when trying to find gifts for my gf's birthday. It is called Firstleaf and seems to be a good deal. Looks like it is 6 bottles per shipment averaging $15 each when the retail averages $25 each. I can choice the frequency (I chose every 8 weeks for now). And the first 6 bottles were super cheap at only $40 for all 6 bottles. I know that it is just to get me hooked, but still the regular price seems like a decent deal and will get me to try more than what I usually get at the store.

My first thought was "I'd probably spend less on gas if I got this for mom"

Find anything particularly up your alley?

No, but I know a few things.

Don't you basically get barraged by Californian and other West Coast Wines?

I want to get into a beer one next year.

One brewery here does a 'League of extraordinary brewers' program where people who buy in get 4 tallboys of a super special small batch each month, as well as access to events they hold in their taproom.

Stewman_Magoo posted...

I want to get into a beer one next year.

One brewery here does a 'League of extraordinary brewers' program where people who buy in get 4 tallboys of a super special small batch each month, as well as access to events they hold in their taproom.

But what will the small batch be?
Is it an IPA place?

Guide posted...

My first thought was "I'd probably spend less on gas if I got this for mom"

Find anything particularly up your alley?

First order is:

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
South Africa Shiraz
"Sweet Mountain Red" from Argentina
California Chardonnay
California Sauvignon Blanc
California Rose Pinot Noir

Second order (Sept because my 8 week gap starts after that):

California Pinot Noir
California Zinfandel
South Africa Pinotage
California Sauvignon Blanc
German Riesling
Spanish Rosado

SiO4 posted...

No, but I know a few things.

Don't you basically get barraged by Californian and other West Coast Wines?

I get half domestic and half international. 3 red, 2 white and 1 rose per shipment.

SiO4 posted...

But what will the small batch be?
Is it an IPA place?

I think they tell you the month they're canning it.

Fortunately, nobody here does just one thing (aside from the meadery and cider place), everyone has released a different style and everyone is good at their own thing. This place is particularly good at malty stuff and crispy stuff.

bsp77 posted...

German Riesling

...What is it?

((Please don't let it be Relax))

---

And ya, see how there are so many from California?

Edit: Sorry, I didn't realize you could pick.
I have a friend who did that, but kinda got spammed with stuff from CA.

~Was your Ros from Provance?

Stewman_Magoo posted...

I think they tell you the month they're canning it.

Fortunately, nobody here does just one thing (aside from the meadery and cider place), everyone has released a different style and everyone is good at their own thing. This place is particularly good at malty stuff and crispy stuff.

Ohhh, I'm on The Malty side!!
But crisp is good too. Just not crazy hoppy IPA's.

I do like that you have a bunch of options though.
I honestly feel like the companies are stronger together when you are that type of place.
It allows people to think of the area as a destination.
One day you want one thing, the other you want something else.

SiO4 posted...

...What is it?

((Please don't let it be Relax))

---

And ya, see how there are so many from California?

Edit: Sorry, I didn't realize you could pick.
I have a friend who did that, but kinda got spammed with stuff from CA.

~Was your Ros from Provance?

Clean Slate from Mosel

I can replace bottles with something else if I don't like it. I was just leaving it alone for now to see what they send if left completely alone. I actually do know wine somewhat, but not an expert.

SiO4 posted...

Ohhh, I'm on The Malty side!!
But crisp is good too. Just not crazy hoppy IPA's.

I do like that you have a bunch of options though.
I honestly feel like the companies are stronger together when you are that type of place.
It allows people to think of the area as a destination.
One day you want one thing, the other you want something else.

Yeah the brewing scene here has been nuts. It's awesome to have so many talented brewers making great stuff. Sometimes a few of them will release a similar style at the same time (eg. It's almost Marzen season so everyone will be cranking theirs out), but it's not all IPAs thankfully.

Stewman_Magoo posted...

I think they tell you the month they're canning it.

Fortunately, nobody here does just one thing (aside from the meadery and cider place), everyone has released a different style and everyone is good at their own thing. This place is particularly good at malty stuff and crispy stuff.

What does "crispy" mean? That sounds more like lagers, but you offered it as an alternative to malty, which usually means hoppy. While I somewhat know wine, I am a motherfucking expert on beer. :)

sounds like some middle-aged white woman type of shit. lol

bsp77 posted...

What does "crispy" mean? That sounds more like lagers, but you offered it as an alternative to malty, which usually means hoppy. While I somewhat know wine, I am a motherfucking expert on beer. :)

I usually relate crispy to stuff like lagers and pilsners. I wasn't necessarily contrasting malty with crispy, just trying to showcase that it wasn't all IPAs and hops.

ZevLoveDOOM posted...

sounds like some middle-aged white woman type of shit. lol

No, I just have taste & class, like variety, and am trying to make my gf happy

Stewman_Magoo posted...

I usually relate crispy to stuff like lagers and pilsners. I wasn't necessarily contrasting malty with crispy, just trying to showcase that it wasn't all IPAs and hops.

Gotcha. Also, hell yes to Marzen season. Or more accurately, Marzen and Festbier season, as there is a difference.

Omg I can't wait for the Marzens to start pouring in!! It was actually the brewery doing the club that got me into Marzens in the first place.

bsp77 posted...

Clean Slate from Mosel

I can replace bottles with something else if I don't like it. I was just leaving it alone for now to see what they send if left completely alone. I actually do know wine somewhat, but not an expert.

Oh no, Clean Slate is very nice.
It doesn't ask too much from you, it's just an easy drinker.
Just a bit off-dry, but no sugar bomb.
It is literally the perfect living room chill-out wine.
It should be relatively inexpensive as well.
100% keep that in there.
Reisling is my favorite grape.

Try a Vino Verda, they are not like Rieslings, but supper bright with just a bit effervescence they are perfect for summer.
Put your choice of fruits in it for fun, and the chomp effect. They are often rather well priced.

Also to save money, see if they have some Argentine Pinot Noirs.

~Also, anything Alsatian.
The Alsace region.

Ive done bright cellars a few times

It feels a little overpriced at times at $15/bottle even if 4/6 of the wines are pretty good

Stewman_Magoo posted...

Yeah the brewing scene here has been nuts. It's awesome to have so many talented brewers making great stuff. Sometimes a few of them will release a similar style at the same time (eg. It's almost Marzen season so everyone will be cranking theirs out), but it's not all IPAs thankfully.

Where are you?

SiO4 posted...

Oh no, Clean Slate is very nice.
It doesn't ask too much from you, it's just an easy drinker.
Just a bit off-dry, but no sugar bomb.
It is literally the perfect living room chill-out wine.
It should be relatively inexpensive as well.
100% keep that in there.
Reisling is my favorite grape.

Try a Vino Verda, they are not like Rieslings, but supper bright with just a bit effervescence they are perrfact for summer, but put your choice of fruits in it for fun, and the chomp effect.

Nice! I wasn't going to switch it out and don't plan on switching anything unless I see something I really don't want. Like a "red blend" but I think I already told it I did not want red blends.

A few years back I went on a Rhine river cruise and went on a wine tour in Alsace and got to try out a couple of Rieslings that were identical other than the soil. Same year same winery same everything just the soil was different. And it was amazing the difference. I think I actually told you about this before, as I know we have discussed wine and Riesling specifically.

Edit: i see you edited to mention Alsace lol

SiO4 posted...

Where are you?

I'm in Manitoba Canada. We have many micro and even nano brewers but I don't think anything brewed here makes it out of our province.

I'm part of a jelly of the month club. It's the gift that keeps on giving the whole year.

bsp77 posted...

Nice! I wasn't going to switch it out and don't plan on switching anything unless I see something I really don't want. Like a "red blend" but I think I already told it I did not want red blends.

A few years back I went on a Rhine river cruise and went on a wine tour in Alsace and got to try out a couple of Rieslings that were identical other than the soil. Same year same winery same everything just the soil was different. And it was amazing the difference. I think I actually told you about this before, as I know we have discussed wine and Riesling specifically.

Edit: i see you edited to mention Alsace lol

Haha, It seems we have. Hehe!!
Great minds and all that!

And Ya, Red Blend is just a marketing thing, particularly in the US.
There a lot of Red Blend out there in the wine world.
As Super Tuscan is a Red Blend.
But so many others are as well.

~See if they have Karas, which would be a red blend, but not labeled as such.

Are there any New York Wines?

SiO4 posted...

Haha, It seems we have. Hehe!!
Great minds and all that!

And Ya, Red Blend is just a marketing thing, particularly in the US.
There a lot of Red Blend out there in the wine world.
As Super Tuscan is a Red Blend.
But so many others are as well.

~See if they have Karas, which would be a red blend, but not labeled as such.

Are there any New York Wines?

Oh, I am aware that red blends can be great. Not just Tuscans, but Bordeaux and Rhone Valley are blends. But if it says California Red Blend... fuck no.

I don't know what wines they have, as I only saw the 6 August and 6 September ones. I would have to start replacing to see what else.

This is just all an experiment (and birthday gift). I can and will cancel if it sucks or the value isn't there.

The_X_Dawg posted...

I'm part of a jelly of the month club. It's the gift that keeps on giving the whole year.

What if you get your new shipment but the shitter is full?

Stewman_Magoo posted...

I'm in Manitoba Canada. We have many micro and even nano brewers but I don't think anything brewed here makes it out of our province.

Lake Winnipeg!!

Ya, That is how it is in Vermont and other places.
It's kinda cool to see these pop-up industries!

SiO4 posted...

Lake Winnipeg!!

Ya, That is how it is in Vermont and other places.
It's kinda cool to see these pop-up industries!

Vermont, eh? You have some of the best Hazy IPAs around there. We have some decent ones in Minnesota, but I think we have some world class lagers.

bsp77 posted...

Oh, I am aware that red blends can be great. Not just Tuscans, but Bordeaux and Rhone Valley are blends. But if it says California Red Blend... fuck no.

I don't know what wines they have, as I only saw the 6 August and 6 September ones. I would have to start replacing to see what else.

This is just all an experiment (and birthday gift). I can and will cancel if it sucks or the value isn't there.

What if you get your new shipment but the shitter is full?

Haha..That's fine!!!

Also, Happy Birthday to whomever!!!

My biggest concern this time of year is making sure when delivered they are not sitting in the sun, honestly.

SiO4 posted...

Haha..That's fine!!!

Also, Happy Birthday to whomever!!!

My biggest concern this time of year is making sure when delivered they are not sitting in the sun, honestly.

My girlfriend. It was in my intro wall of text.

I have to sign, so my concern is not being home. Luckily I work from home like 75% of the time.

I wouldn't finish 6 bottles in 8 weeks. We go through a bottle a month, if even that.

bsp77 posted...

Vermont, eh? You have some of the best Hazy IPAs around there. We have some decent ones in Minnesota, but I think we have some world class lagers.

Ya, I had friends who would drive like three hours to pick a four-pack on Sip of Sunshine.
I can tell you, I don't think it was worth it.
I would much rather get some exotic Cabot Cheese.

I used to go there to get Otter Creek, $9.99 for a 12 pack - less than a month old back in the day.
But Otter Creek was sold, and it is just not what it used to be. Back in the day it was so good.

In fact, the first beer I ever ordered a beer, of age, and not at a place that I worked at was in Vermont, and it was Otter Creeks Stove Pipe Porter.

I miss their Porter and their Copper Ale.
As well as the other things they had going on.

Side note: I have actually hiked alongside Otter Creek, near it's head waters.

Dan_Haren- posted...

I wouldn't finish 6 bottles in 8 weeks. We go through a bottle a month, if even that.

Really? It's not like it saves. Even with vacuum seal thing, it is 3 days max (if that).

My gf and I typically cook 2 fancy meals a week - I make one for her and she makes one for me. Could easily do a bottle with each of those dinners.

I've tried various ones and have never had a problem. You really only get one or two California wines, though, I think you get bombarded when you don't really put anything specific. We got mostly international wines, lots of Argentinian and Spanish ones, and stuck to 4 reds, 2 whites if given the choice.

bsp77 posted...

Really? It's not like it saves. Even with vacuum seal thing, it is 3 days max (if that).

My gf and I typically cook 2 fancy meals a week - I make one for her and she makes one for me. Could easily do a bottle with each of those dinners.

Ya, I was going to say. The wine will be so broken down by then.
Once opened you really only get a day or so out of it.

Those vacuum seal things aren't really that helpful.

The best way to deal with this, is to get a split wine, kill it, and make it a reusable bottle.
It's all about the Oxidization...those little bottles at least give you a fighting chance.

That's about the best you can do there.

Alright, Bullet Train is about to start. Will be back later.

Cheers!

bsp77 posted...

Alright, Bullet Train is about to start. Will be back later.

Cheers!

Safe travels!