For Winelovers in Irvine

NEW -> Contingent Buyer Assistance Program
On their website, you can sort out the wines on the 5-cent sale. I've never shopped them very carefully so I don't know if what amounts to 50% off is a good deal on those wines or not.
 
In my experience, it is well worth the time and nominal cost to attend their winetasting on Saturdays - they often have their five cent sale items available to taste.



We found some suprisingly good wines that we were not familiar with before, in the tastings and the prices were very good for this two-for-one type sale.
 
[quote author="effenheimer" date=1220069921]When does the new wine place in the Tustin Marketplace open?</blockquote>


Haven't seen anything more definitive than "this fall" (http://irvineretail.freedomblogging.com/2008/06/12/total-wine-more-coming-to-irvine/).



Like all other liquor outlets, Total Wine will need to get a license from the ABC. As of 8/31/08, a license lookup (http://www.abc.ca.gov/datport/LQSData.asp?ID=2028791433) lists their license status as "pending". Periodic queries of the ABC license in the upcoming weeks may provide us with a better indication of when they'll open shop than waiting on an announcement from either Irvine Co. or Total Wine.



I can't wait for Total Wine to open up myself. I came across them in Glendale, AZ (Phoenix area) when they opened up a store just before the Super Bowl down the street. (Coincidence? I think not.) Selection was very good, but their prices should make BevMo hang its head in shame. Although I understand that I encountered their Grand Opening prices, their regular prices still send BevMo back to the Dark Ages.
 
[quote author="NoWowway" date=1220080922]In my experience, it is well worth the time and nominal cost to attend their winetasting on Saturdays - they often have their five cent sale items available to taste.</blockquote>


Saturday's was 10 wines on the five cent sale. Seven were chards (I made the Mr. Yuk face) and there were three reds. The <a href="http://www.bevmo.com/productinfo.asp?sku=00000082955">cab</a> was only a good value thanks to the second bottle at five cents. Maybe next week...
 
I think many wine toys are so much hooey, but I have been very, very happy since we got a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vinturi-Essential-Aerator-Stopper-Shipping/dp/B001B1AHPU">Vinturi.</a> It makes the $3.99 stuff actually taste good. At $40 for a piece of plastic it is pricey, but we are recouping the cost with less expensive "everyday" wines. It works better (and faster) than a funnel and decanter.
 
[quote author="effenheimer" date=1220306551][quote author="NoWowway" date=1220080922]In my experience, it is well worth the time and nominal cost to attend their winetasting on Saturdays - they often have their five cent sale items available to taste.</blockquote>


Saturday's was 10 wines on the five cent sale. Seven were chards (I made the Mr. Yuk face) and there were three reds. The <a href="http://www.bevmo.com/productinfo.asp?sku=00000082955">cab</a> was only a good value thanks to the second bottle at five cents. Maybe next week...</blockquote>


For all the card carrying members of the ABC club (Anything But Chardonnay), perhaps <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12157130/">this</a> is worth a try?
 
Eff, I can't even begin to explain how big the difference. We took an inexpensive young Argentinian wine and did a compare and contrast. We first had a sip straight from the bottle. Then we cleaned and dried the glasses and ran a sip's worth through the Venturi. The difference was very noticeable, and it improved the wine *a lot.* If you want to do a taste test, you and a guest are welcome to come over for wine and appetizers some evening.



What do you not like about Chardonnay? If it's the oak, you can always look one fermented in stainless steel tanks. Those have a much "cleaner" taste. The current love of my white wine life is Albarino. Acidic (think citrus) with mineral. Wonderful stuff for a warm day.
 
[quote author="EvaLSeraphim" date=1220309455]I think many wine toys are so much hooey, but I have been very, very happy since we got a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vinturi-Essential-Aerator-Stopper-Shipping/dp/B001B1AHPU">Vinturi.</a> It makes the $3.99 stuff actually taste good. At $40 for a piece of plastic it is pricey, but we are recouping the cost with less expensive "everyday" wines. It works better (and faster) than a funnel and decanter.</blockquote>
Eva, can you buy this locally, or did you get it through the mail?

We usually give wine to our clients for the holidays, this would be a great gift to give with the wine.
 
They had a whole big display of them near the cash register at BevMo last week.



And your thought crossed our minds. After being impressed for several weeks on end, we bought four for gifts, and I think we may need to get more. :ohh:
 
<blockquote>What do you not like about Chardonnay</blockquote>


It just comes across as weak... Listless. Even the bolder ones don't dazzle me the way a peppy <a href="http://www.bevmo.com/productinfo.asp?sku=00000005781">sav blanc </a>can. I also find that some chards seem to trigger the salt receptors in my palette. Weird, I know. I've had exactly one chard that impressed: at Firestone and it was their top-of-the-line (high $$$).



Yes, I'm an <a href="http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/product/red_fire_exotic_candy_bar/exotic_candy_bars">intensity</a> junkie. I like <a href="http://www.bevmo.com/productinfo.asp?sku=00000077503">zing/zip/pow</a>...
 
According to the OCR, Total Wine opened this morning at The Market Place in Tustin.



<a href="http://irvineretail.freedomblogging.com/2008/10/16/wine-superstore-opens-today-in-tustin/667/">http://irvineretail.freedomblogging.com/2008/10/16/wine-superstore-opens-today-in-tustin/667/</a>
 
I can confirm that Total Wine is OPEN and they are fantastic! Good organization, huge selection, pricing lower than BevMo, $.10 tastings on weekends, nice catalog!
 
[quote author="EvaLSeraphim" date=1220309455]I think many wine toys are so much hooey, but I have been very, very happy since we got a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vinturi-Essential-Aerator-Stopper-Shipping/dp/B001B1AHPU">Vinturi.</a> It makes the $3.99 stuff actually taste good. At $40 for a piece of plastic it is pricey, but we are recouping the cost with less expensive "everyday" wines. It works better (and faster) than a funnel and decanter.</blockquote>




As usual Eva, you've saved the day. I've been racking my brain for something useful yet not too expensive for hubby's b-day later this month and this is absolutely perfect.
 
Yeah, Total Wine is HUGE, it's like a supermarket for liquor and wine. they have a cigar section with a walk in humidifier. I agree, prices are def lower than Bevmo, I will go here for my alcoholic inducing needs from now on.
 
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