There are two types of people when it comes to total wine. Those who hate them because they are big corporate and clog up wine searcher. Then there are those like myself who realize they have the best beer and hard booze selection in town. Plus there are some wine deals to be had with coupons.
Fwiw, total wine accounted for under 2% of my wine purchases last year.
Visited a BevMo in Phoenix, terrible wine selection, mostly bottles from unknown producers with ratings posted from some unheard of critic. Prices were significantly higher than the local Safeway. This was my first visit to a BevMo as they thankfully are not in the Chicago market.
Only thing I’ve bought at BEVMO at any location is Broadbent Vino Verde.
Yeah absolutely.
I only go to BevMo now to get a bottle of 7 Leguas Tequila once or twice a year. They always have it and TW never has.
TW owns for stocking up on Tres Picos and other quickee quaffers as well as beer but I would be careful with buying more expensive wines there. I see many (for example, Siduri Single Vineyard, etc) sitting there for a while in 70 degrees (don’t want the Coors Light shoppers to get cold) although I will add that the really expensive stuff is in a colder wine fridge area.
Their (TW) related stores in Maryland rarely have any interesting wines to buy. Most seem to have mostly store brand wines. That means the orange shelf talkers. Tons of corporate wines.
When they opened here most wine prices were at gouge levels abut they have moderated considering, I guess, competition from DC and some Baltimore stores. Great liquor prices and mediocre beer selection?
Had a friend that worked there. He clued me in to an occurrence of a faulty wine cooler. Overnight the wines cooked. They cleaned the bottles they could and put them back for sale. These were the first growths, DPs, and high end Cal Cab.
Bevmo is being hurt by the large supermarkets, IMHO.
The 5 cent special audience is the same that loads up on the 30% off on 6 bottle grocery store deals. And pavilions actually has a much better selection than bevmo.
I only go to BevMo for their liquor selection. They do carry brands that TW does not, so it’s good to have the option. Sieta Lequas is hard to find…anywhere! That says something.
+1
Only place I can find Rittenhouse Rye and where else can you order PVW 20 year? Paid $120 in Nov or Dec of last year (minus 5% from their club reward discount). Can also score several other liquors and liqueurs not available elsewhere locally for me. Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, Luxardo, Jefferson Presidential, Willett Rye, Creme De Violette, etc. etc.
Also can score some rare beers though not as good of source for me as some other local purveyors.
I never buy wine there.
I wonder of total in so cal is different compared to nor cal? We have all the stuff you mentioned. I know Rittenhouse is $19 at total vs $23 at bevmo.
The closest Total to me is about 50 miles, if there was one close I would probably be shopping there… have never been to one but will check it out next time I am near one.
Tustin off the 5 and jamboree is the big TW in oc. Plus there is an REI next door, more fun to be had.
+1 on this. Stopped buying wines there many years ago after drinking a number of wines I thought were cooked. Those orange shelf talkers quite often refer to different vintages than are in the bins - my opinion is that this is not an accident.