Exciting online wine deals and steals are really happening. They are not the typical, over-hyped discounted wines that have been offered over the last year or two. It strikes me as a new beginning, a fresh start to Spring.
The real deal door began to swing open around April 1st and by the day of the eclipse, it was no illusion, no April Fool’s prank.
And the wines that signaled this change were excellent, time-proven Cabernets, Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays, a few imports and, well, many others. What was different was the appearance of so many authentic wines from real producers instead of made up private labels and brands. And often, new vintages, newly released wines, not leftovers.
Before getting to the reasons behind this development, let me lists those deals offered online that caught my attention:
2021 Peju Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, regularly $70, offered at $26
2021 Daou Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles $65 to $39.99
2018 Whitehall Lane Estate Cabernet, Napa Valley $90 to $59
2020 Beringer Vineyards Knights Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon $32 to $23.99
2019 Handley Cellars Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, $37 to $19.
2018 Ketcham Estate Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley $45 to $19.95
2022 Long Meadow Ranch Rose of Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley $32 to $12
2022 Caymus Vineyards, California Cabernet Sauvignon, $75 to $49
These are top names and the reason the last two are cited is to reinforce the fact that new vintages, not old stuff getting dusty in warehouses, are showing up as real deals! That’s a spanking brand new release from Caymus and I’ve not seen any Peju wine so deeply discounted until now. Clos du Val just released its new Cabernet Sauvignon vintage to an online retailer at 20%, not enough to make my list but good support for the trend.
Just now winespies.com announced a 30% off deal on an absolutely great California Chardonnay, one of the top 3-4 made and never ever discounted, until now. It is the 2021 Wayfarer ‘The Estate’ Fort Ross-Seaview Chardonnay 30% off.
Then I’m seeing a few unknowns and newbies to the Napa Cabernet scene resorting to the online discounters to help their launch. The garigiste.com site announced the sale of Rockmere Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley from 2018 for $59.71 a bottle, with the winery price being $95.
So why now, you ask? Well, it has to do with supply and demand. Over the last several months, business stories have focused on the global surplus of wine, and here at home, both Napa and Washington State wine folks are trying to deal with the present surplus of wine and the need to start removing vineyards in big numbers for future stability. Talk about pulling up vines let’s you know this is not a blip.
Meanwhile, retailers are staring at big inventories in their stores and warehouses. I’ve noticed much more exciting offerings from vivino.com so far in 2024. This online site works directly with retailer partners across the country. Sales are slow in brick & mortar places across the country.
Who’s to blame? Well, the easy way out is to point fingers (the middle one?) at the Gen Zers.
Apparently, recent surveys indicate a lack of interest in wine. That’s a demographic representing 18% of the population and it is more interested in energy boosting drinks. Is “Liquid Death” an energy drink? Just asking.
The brains behind Drizly analyzed the alcohol beverage market and came up with this conclusion: “When it comes to trying new bev alc brands, Drizly’s 2023 Consumer Trend Report found that pricing was the top factor that influences Gen Z “
The high price of wine is a big deal these days. Recent surveys show that the average bottle price of a Napa Valley Cabernet is $108. An article in The Wall Street Journal surveyed restaurants and came up with the belief that $25 is the new restaurant normal for a glass of wine. And, yes, the prices for many consumer items are now high. But wine is non-essential, a choice, not on the same level of importance as eggs and fuel.
Driving the prices of wine up and Gen Zers away is that wine is perceived as a luxury enjoyed by those who equate price with quality. Snobs! Yes, those who buy what others can’t afford and those who associate inexpensive wine as “cheap stuff.” And the big corporations have not helped by their push to create so-called “luxury brands.”
But right now it is the online wine retailers, the flash sale types, that are driving the discount wine deals. A report from the Silicon Valley Bank made this observation:
“Wholesalers are full up, as far as they can go,” which is making them “more picky” in what they buy from wine producers. Wholesalers “are more afraid of being stuck with inventory that they may have to discount.”
It concluded with a prediction that “flash sales and increased discounts” are likely in the offing in the near future.”
5 Real Deal Dealers
That future is now. Flash sales, meaning limited time offerings are leading the way. For those interested in checking out the best wine deals offered online, here are my top 5 best sites for non-snobbery, savvy shopping wine drinkers:
www.reversewinesnob.com This site was finding super wines at great prices before the glut, and so far in 2024 has earned my top spot for its selection of wines from California and the Northwest. It works directly with small, family owned wineries. Begin here.
www.winespies.com Off to a great month of April with exceptional finds such as the 2020 Caymus California Cabernet and the Wayfarer Chardonnay. Also, super price for a Flying Goat Pinot Noir. Special deals on Lake County Cabernets are frequent.
Still the best flash sale site, and is keeping up by finding wines never offered before the glut. A great offer for Handley Cellars 2019 Pinot Noir at $19. It also has marathon wine sales, and recently offered dozens of wines as “under $26 deals and steals.”
These are the people who have a huge database and encourage subscribers to offer reviews, But its main strength is its partnerships with retailers around the country. Here I found the 2020 Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet at 30% off. The new 2022 Caymus “California” Cabernet was first offered by vivino.
WTSO was one of the first, if not the first site for flash sales. It offers many wines, but I found it is a great resource for imports, especially Spanish and Italian wines. Here are three examples of excellent deals:
2021 Resalte Ribera del Duero Vendimia Seleccionada for $19.99 (50%)
2018 Famiglia Castellani Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG $14.99
2019 Luca Bosio Barolo $24.99
Norm Roby's Unfiltered Guide to Savvy Wine Shopping 