Ahhh, the California Cabernet. Internationally prominent and one of the world’s most widely recognized red wine varietals. The grape transferred well to the valleys and hillsides of the coast so their growth rate and features are well matched with the Cab’s features and characteristics. The fragrance and full body gives a hint of black currants and with age can remind you of cedar and cigar boxes. If you’re not familiar with Cabernet’s, join a good wine club to add to your enjoyment.

Are you familiar with the adventure of finding the perfect gift? Something to take up space in a house, on a shelf, or on a table? What style? What colors? What price? Something to use or hide in a closet? The perfect answer is a wine gift. Everyone loves to receive something new that they can use and enjoy. Many people love to add to their wine collection. The experience of trying a new wine and maybe preparing a new dish is attractive to all your senses and can set up a great afternoon or evening treat. And why not receive new wines every month? Expand your palate with a California wine club.

If you live in a landlocked area, such as the Midwest or Central US, you don’t have access to the beautiful Napa Valley and California wine country. You could take a tour but that involves a lot of time and money. A much better idea is to join a California wine club and “visit” every month. The wine clubs offer you excellent wines with tons of information, serving and dining suggestions. You can have that California wine country right in the comfort of your very own home.

Your business associates, friends, and family who envision themselves in a cherry wood, book lined library, sitting in an overstuffed leather chair enjoying an expensive cigar, will be thrilled with a collectible wine gift. It can add extra ambiance to their vision and provide a distinctive quality to their environment. They will recognize the thought and time you invested in selecting the perfect wine club gift and thank you with true appreciation.

There are a lot of restauranteurs who dine out almost every night and rely on the server to suggest a wine choice. It’s my thinking that those suggestions are the most expensive or a push on a special deal the establishment received to increase their bottom line. A good rule of thumb is always to order what you know you like, but that may be difficult. To be knowledgeable, participate in a wine club where you will receive valuable insights plus outstanding wines to try. Order with confidence and truly enjoy your meal.

Wine has been around for centuries and will never go out of style. One of the most popular choices for the last few years has been the California Merlot. The Merlot is very sophisticated and versatile grape. When dining, serve it alongside pasta or beef, around room temperature. The fragrance and body combines hints of black cherry, violets, orange, and plum. And the best way to find out your favorite Merlot is to try a few good ones. For that, you need the expert services of a good California wine club.

Neighbors, friends, and family members are always searching for a good reason to spend some social time together. When you’re over the reunions and cookouts, a great idea is to host a wine tasting. It’s easy when you belong to a wine club and focus on one area such as California wines. The wine club provides you with names, dates, background information, serving suggestions, and recipes. If you usually receive 2 bottles a month, you can increase that order and selections to fit your wine tasting evening.

It was my pleasure to have the 2000 Altamura Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon featured in Gold Medal Wine Club’s Platinum Series monthly wine club.The 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon is loaded with all of the complexity and elegance. The first impression is one of intense richness and depth of color, followed by the scent of blackberry, plum and roses. Upon tasting the wine, you will smile as if remembering an old friend. It’s that familiar taste of my cabernet Sauvignon, the complex core of ripe black fruits, currant, black cherry, plum and blackberry followed by rich cocoa, toasty oak and creamy mocha.

 Perhaps the most amazing element of this wine is how seamlessly these flavors roll across the palate. They are held together with the structure of soft, integrated tannins, creating a wonderfully long and elegant finish. 

I hope each and every wine club member enjoyed this highly rated wine as much I enjoy making it.

Frank Altamura - Owner/winemaker, Altamura Vineyards & Winery

Many people consider themselves wine connoisseurs. They are the ones who host extravagant dinner parties with 5 food courses prepared by caterers and served on fine china with antique silver and custom flower centerpieces. However, they often serve below par wine because they either are inexperienced or do not have a source for outstanding wines. Help them out with a membership to a wine of the month club so they can enhance both their knowledge and dinner parties.

Remember the boycott against French wines from a few years ago? One great result was that wine experts shifted their focus to the outstanding California wines that are available. We all discovered that wine doesn’t have to come from Europe to be excellent. Gold Medal Wine Club is a great avenue to educate yourself in a most enjoyable way and on a regular basis. You receive information, ratings, and reviews on monthly choices plus several bottles of wine to enjoy.