Some people believe that wine clubs are reserved for the most refined collectors with the most attentive palates. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. There is a wine club for every type of wine drinker out there. While there are clubs exclusively for only the finest wines there are also clubs specifically designed for newcomers to the world of wine. Wine clubs don’t have membership requirements beyond the cost of buying and shipping the wine you will get to drink. The wine club is no longer a realm reserved for wine snobs, it’s open to all wine drinkers.

Wine clubs work by shipping wines carefully selected to match the tastes of the particular club. So when choosing a club think carefully and decide if you want to receive the same style of wine every month, or would you rather receive a variety of wine styles. Should you especially enjoy a certain selection, many clubs have websites allowing you to buy wine online. Usually all of their options are selling on their site. Since most clubs will allow you to cancel your membership at any time, joining a club is a risk-free investment.

Based on style, country of origin and price range, wine clubs offer a wide variety for whatever your most important criteria may be. Whether you are in to red wines from Italy or white wines from Germany, or only the expensive Napa Valley varieties, there’s a wine club that meets your needs. Most clubs do no limit themselves to a single style, region, or price range. If you know you prefer a wide variety of styles and countries, look for more eclectic clubs which offer a mix of great wines, and you are sure to have a pleasant surprise each month without having to choose each one.

A subscription to a wine club can make an excellent gift for an oenophile. With a little research to help you pick out the best bottle of wine for a friend or family member, you can give a gift that will keep giving every month. This research need not be difficult. Take the person you want to subscribe to dinner and insist they choose the wine. While there, take a look at their wine collection for ideas. Or even tell them you are thinking of getting someone else a bottle of wine as a gift, and ask what their favorite wines are. A gift subscription can be a particularly fine gift for a important business contact or client. A bottle of fine wine will make your client remember your company for at least an entire night.

While wine clubs are ideal for many people they are not for everyone. If you are a spontaneous person who prefers to drive to a shop and take something from the shelf, a wine club membership might not seem like its for you, but we recommen you try it and see what you think. If you have a selection of trusted winery’s and vintages you do not like to stray from, a wine club membership would not be a wise investment. If your tastes change frequently and you have no idea what you want from one day to another, most wine clubs would not be able to keep up with your shifting tastes.

If you love good wine and like the idea of a new bottle every month with no hassle, try this exciting and hassle-free way to buy wine. Branch out and use a wine club to introduce yourself to new wines. Continue to develop your tastes by sampling new styles of wine from different regions. Take advantage of the club organizers to help you decide which wine is the best for you to buy.

• Michigan has 13,500 acres of vineyards making Michigan the fourth largest grape-growing state.

• All of this acreage is devoted to juice grapes such as Concord and Niagara.

• About 1,500 acres are planted to wine grapes, making Michigan the eighth in wine grape production.

• Vineyard area has increased 24% since 1997.

• Michigan’s 45 commercial wineries produce more than 200,000 cases of wine annually, making the state 13th in wine production. The vast majority of production is from Michigan-grown grapes.

• Wineries are popular tourist destinations, attracting more than 600,000 visitors annually. Some of these wineries also have retail stores where it’s possible to purchase anything from a wine cellar kit to a wine cooler refrigerator.

• Wine production and winery tourism annually contribute $75 million to the state’s economy.

• Three types of grapes are used for wine in Michigan:

• • Vinifera varieties — these are the classic European varieties such as Chardonnay, Riesling (the most widely planted white), Pinot Noir (the most widely planted red), Pinot Grigio/Gris and Cabernet Franc; 58% of Michigan’s wine grapes are vinifera. Since 1998, 71% of the new plantings in Michigan have been vinifera varieties.

• • Hybrid varieties (sometimes called French/American hybrids) — these are botanical crosses between vinifera varieties and grapes native to North America. Common names are Vidal, Chambourcin, Marechal Foch and Vignoles; 39% of Michigan’s wine grapes are hybrids.

• • Native varieties — actually close relatives of true native varieties. Typical names are Concord and Niagara. A Mere 3% of Michigan’s wine is made from these varieties.

• The vast majority of Michigan’s quality wine grapes grow within 25 miles of Lake Michigan. Here, the “lake effect” protects the vines with snow in winter, retards bud break in spring helping avoid frost damage, and extends the growing season by up to four weeks.

• Michigan has deemed four federally approved viticultural areas (AVAs). In the northwest part of the state, near Traverse City, lie the Leelanau Peninsula and the Old Mission Peninsula. This area has a growing season averaging 145 days and an average heat accumulation of 2,350 growing degree days; 51% of Michigan’s wine grapes grow here. In the southwest part of the state are the Lake Michigan Shore and Fennville appellations, where 45% of Michigan’s wine grapes are grown. This area has a growing season of about 160 days and an average heat accumulation of 2,750 growing degree days. Each are Region 6 on the USDA plant hardiness zone map.

• Harvest begins for early hybrid varieties at the end of late August in the southwest and may extend into mid November for late-ripening vinifera varieties in the northwest.

• Michigan wines win numerous medals at prestigious competitions every year. More than 16% of the wines entered in the Michigan Wine & Spirits Competition had already won Gold Medals in regional, national and international competitions. A list of winners is available upon request.

• Michigan wineries make many styles of wine, from dry to sweet including Ice Wine, sparkling, fortified, fruit wines and eau-de-vie (fruit brandy).

• Michigan wines are usually “cool climate” – clean, crisp, balanced wines that exhibit real varietal charact.
• Michigan Wines are very popular choices in the offerings of Wine Clubs
  where you set up a monthly subscription to order wine online

Next time you’re savoring your favorite Chardonnay, check the label. It just may not have come from California!

Nothing strikes fear and dread into the heart of any spot-fearing individual than a red wine stain. This classic spot has ruined more than one garment. It has been the cause of dread for homeowners who own light-colored carpeting and it has left many smiles dingy-purple.

Not every wine stain is red. You might find yourself wondering how do I get rid of a white wine stain as well. The initial step is to apply cold water on the affected area. This must to be done as quickly as possible. These types of spills usually occur during a special occasion like a party and you may feel a bit rude, but it is crucial to get that cold water to the wine spot as soon as you possibly can in order to assure that it will be removed promptly.

If the white stain is on clothing or other material that can be turned inside out, pour the water from the back of the area instead of the front. Of course, this approach can’t be used on most carpets so pouring from the top is the only option for these materials. However, a blouse should be turned inside out when addressing the area.

Step two in the white wine stain removal process is to rub the fabric with a powdered laundry detergent. After applying the laundry detergent, let the fabric stand for about five to ten minutes. Dish detergent will work very well with this, too. If you are looking at a white wine stain on a rug, it is best to use a carpet spot cleaner. These can be found at your local grocery store very easily but it is always a good idea to keep some on hand for just such an emergency.

If the wine stain is still visible then let the fabric soak in cold water for at least thirty minutes. This can be quite inconvenient but it is a must if you want to save the garment. Wash the fabric as you normally would after the soak but be sure to look for the wine stain before putting the garment into the dryer. If the spot is still visible, use a laundry stain remover and rewash the item.

Your rug may need to be professionally cleaned if the white wine stain is still prevalent after a few hours. This professional cleaning should be completed as soon as possible to assure that the white wine stain will be removed completely.