Cheap—and Good— Wine Websites

Wineries, buyers both benefit from direct sales

By Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 8, 2009 3:15 PM CDT

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Cheap—and Good— Wine Websites — In this Tuesday, March 24, 2009 photo, white wines priced under $10 are displayed at Thief Wine in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

With wine sales plateauing, wineries are embracing direct, discounted sales in what amounts to a win-win situation for sellers and buyers. The Los Angeles Times singles out the top discount websites:

winestilsoldout.com sells one wine at a time until it’s gone. The site usually offers two or three bottles in a day, at discounts of up to 70%. Quick sales ensure the wine’s reputation; buyers typically find current vintages, and sometimes even high-profile wines.

thewineliquidator.com offers more than one wine at a time but keeps its offerings—which include some impressive selections at the moment—limited.
winewoot.com selects two wine offerings per week, usually marked down about 50%. Members engage in lively online discussions about the wines, and the wineries, in return, get great publicity. “It’s been a good site to get our name out there,” says one winery VP.

(Read more wine stories.)