Here in the northern United States, we are looking at winter soon. While that means many things, we know we’ll be holed up in the house for quite a while. The perfect thing for gray days and skies is a pleasing glass of wine and fire in the fireplace. Our wine of the month club helps us out by shipping 1 red and 1 white each month. These are not generic wines, but special boutique wines with low production yet high ratings above 85. Perhaps a crisp light California Chardonnay or full bodied California Merlot. The perfect accompaniment to a gourmet meal, good music, and an interesting book.

When you’re invited to someone’s home or out to an event, you never want to go empty-handed. It’s always been an excellent tradition to bring something for the host or hostess. Wine is always appreciated and enjoyed by one and all. When you’re part of an international wine club, you can pick and choose your favorites or try new recommendations from select boutique wineries. It’s fun and simple to build up your reserves so you always have a wine gift to say thank you and really show your appreciation. Plus, you’ll be invited back time and time again.

The rating scales for wines are very confusing. Which one is correct? What are they based on? Many times the highest rated are also the most expensive, but not always. The ranges cover 80-100. It also depends on wine sellers and auctions, of which I am neither. We solved the problem by joining the best wine club that provides excellent service and information, not to mention the wines. We belong to a Platinum Series where ratings are in the 90s so we know they’re excellent plus the gold medal wine club ships directly to our home, where we most like to enjoy them.

California wines are the go-to for delicious wine tasting and enhancing a well cooked meal. The California Zinfandels are light and fruity while the California Cabernet are full bodied, rich and dry. Whites with fish and poultry, reds for meat. Although those are the rules of thumb and general guidelines, don’t forget there are small production, specialized vineyards with truly unique and premium wines. These wine tasting clubs can provide you with a great selection to peruse and taste.

Last holiday season we gave wine gifts from the Gold Medal Wine Club to our best friends. They were so thrilled we decided we would each choose one of their series: Gold, Diamond, Platinum, and International. Since it’s a wine of the month club, we enjoy California Chardonnay to Argentina Tempranillo and discuss what we’ve learned in our newsletters and Adventure Packages. These are small production, boutique wines but we get to participate in judging and rating them also. What a terrific time we have. Great idea we highly recommend.

So many wines, so little time. Instead of trying everything and anything, be selective and stick to California wines. California is renowned for excellent vineyards. Not only excellent, but known for boutique wines, those small family-owned premium locations where the ground and weather are perfect for high quality productions. Check online for a wine of the month club and become an expert in these limited premium selections.

I like being special, don’t you? Especially when it comes to having an edge and being able to impress people. I found a niche area where I can excel and that’s California wines. I joined a specialty wine club in the Diamond Series which is limited to 500 members. Quarterly we receive two superlative California wines with an occasional international variety that are considered luxury items and highly rated. When they arrive, it’s an event. I can transform an ordinary evening into something unique and pleasurable.

California Zinfandel is a special wine that has acclimated well in the state. Although it has European origins, the climate of the West Coast has proved perfect for growing. There are many types of Zinfandels and the only way to try the best of the best is through the small, family-owned, limited production vineyards where extraordinary care is taken with the grapes and harvests. Gold Medal wines is the best source for this type of producer and offers different series choices with discounts upfront and on reorders.

It’s easy to see why the California Cabernet is known as the king of red wines. What a beautiful complexity, body and depth. It’s obvious why it’s also probably the most popular wine. In its popularity though, you want to enjoy it at its best. Be sure you have an exclusive, highly rated and reputed Cabernet from a small production vineyard where they take the time and effort to nurture their harvests through the aging process. The best wine club will stand behind their deliveries, reviews, and ratings.

The holidays are around the corner but party planning begins now. I know one group likes to stand, visit, and work the room. This group will be the wine tasting club. I have a super membership to the best wine club where I receive a wine of the month delivered to the door. I can choose what I want, in the quantity I want, or use their live chat to find delicious recommendations plus suggestions for hors d’oeurves and appetizers. This will keep all my guests happy and give them an opportunity to try some boutique California wines.