I’m looking for advice, others opinions and others experiences with buying Burgundy online. I’m looking for other places to purchase online. I have a few sources that I trust but am looking for more. Reputation and provenance are my main concern. Would love to hear from other Burgundy collectors. Thank you all for your help.
I just wanted some advice from other collectors who have way more experience than me. Wanted to hear others thoughts and experiences. So many knowledgeable individuals on here.
Burg is my #1 purchase wine-wise by volume. It’s a Balkanized buying experience because no one shop gets much of most producers that the cool kids chase. Still, there are many good options.
If you are ok with pre-arrival and waiting 3-10 months your options are much better.
Here are some I’ve used with good success, personally:
Liquid Culture/ Rob Panzer - His hit rate for introducing me to new producers at great prices is high (Audoin, Lafouge, H Magnien to name a few)
The Wine Club
Woodland Hills Wine
KL if they ship to your state
Occasional orders, good service
Larchmont and VINT: Not a lot of communication, but nice service when the bottles were ready to ship.
Grand Vin in Washington State
GRW: Pricy bottles, but good service
Benchmark Napa: The alerted me to moldy labels, asked if I still wanted them bottles and discounted $90/bottle
Many on this board buy at auction, but I don’t: ymmv
If you are buying big volume (like, pallets-worth), buy in Britain/France and have it shipped annually. That’s the best price, but its too much wine for me.
Thanks Howard, I shall investigate! I need a new source of bottles like a hippo needs roller skates, but its good to research options. All in the name of science, you understand…
My new larger offsite, already full, says:
@Dennis_Atick reports that Idealwine.com, an auction house (based in France I think?) is another decent option for buying on the continent and shipping to the U.S.
To the OP, If your town has the option, there is value in cultivating a relationship with a local shop or two where you live. Knowledgeable retailers that love wine helped me take my first baby steps and I try to spend some where I live. Yes, the bottles aren’t the sharpest price points as you’ll find online, but those relationships pay off occasionally with a “heads up” when special things arrive or a good tasting.
When I visit wineries in Burgundy, Cote D’Or Imports is wonderful. If I buy 6 or more bottles from a winery, they will pick up the wine and I don’t have to pay VAT. Same things with wine stores there. Price at Cote D’Or Imports depends on how much wine I buy (aggregated from the various sources I purchase from) and often is less than or about equal to the savings on the VAT. I have on occasions bought wine from stores like the Caveau de Chassagne Montrachet from home and had Cote D’Or Imports pick the wine up and ship it to me.