We aren’t just another wine club - we provide our club members with everyday wines along with a daily blog full of great wine information. Our articles are full of wine news, pairing suggestions, restaurant reviews, and party tips designed to help wine buyers ranging from complete novices to experienced drinkers looking for the next best bottle. Sure, we want you to purchase a membership to The South Beach Wine Club, but we also want you to stop by every day to see what's on our minds. And once you're here, we hope you comment on what you read.

The club is designed for those who like to enjoy wine every day and those who know that wine helps make a party great - no matter what size! But who has time to make that extra trip after work to the wine store, trolling through endless bottles of wine? You should spend your time enjoying the wine, so we pick great bottles at great prices for you. No more guess work!

We keep it simple - 3 different tiers: 2, 4 or 6 bottles per month.

The price is listed in the total price - no hidden shipping costs at check out.

Customize your shipment to be all reds, all whites, or a mix - because you never know.

Perfect gift for those busy friends who always like to have a bottle of wine around.

Regularly updated blog to provide you with helpful party tips, wine suggestions, and pairing ideas.

I see that this post will be my 100th, and honestly, it feels great to know that I’m helping people enjoy wine more. Some people view wine as just another vehicle in which drinkers can get their alcohol fix. I am not one of these people. For me, the decision is not between wine, beer, or vodka; the decision is between different varietals. Wine compliments food like nothing else. And it is with that sentiment that I suggest some quick and easy pairings to help you enjoy your wine and food more.

Just because you don’t have a lot of time to fuss in the kitchen doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a fully satisfying meal at home, complete with wine. There are certainly plenty of pairings that can be put together in about an hour. Here are a few themes for dinner I would suggest:

Bistro at Home: A simple roasted chicken is a French bistro staple. Grab a rotisserie chicken – probably one from your local supermarkets (if you made your own it would obviously take over an hour to make). Then keep the bistro theme going with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir or Syrah. These wines are popular in France and friendly to roasted chicken.

Italian Night In: With your favorite marinara sauce, your preferred pasta, and possibly some meatballs from the freezer (or your local gourmet market), you can have a cozy little spaghetti-and-meatball dinner on the table in minutes. Spread out the red-and-white checked tablecloth, light some candles and pour an Italian Chianti or a California Sangiovese.

Comforts of Home: When you’re ready for a hearty, meaty and robust entree, try your hand at making a meatloaf. Just combine some ground beef, onions, tomatoes and Italian breadcrumbs, and you’re good to go. A full-flavored Merlot or red Zinfandel is the perfect choice with this style of comfort food.

Ham in a Hurry: One of the easiest meals in the world starts with a few thick slices of good-quality smoked ham. Serve it along with a fruit salad to brighten up dinner. Enjoy an equally bright chilled dry rose wine with this combo.

Asian Delight: If you want to spice things up a little bit, try putting together your own stir-fry. Grab some baby corn, broccoli, water chestnuts, as well as some meat, chicken, or shrimp, and cook on the stove-top. Add some teriyaki sauce and you’ll be good to go in about 30 minutes. Pair with a Riesling or Gewurztraminer to balance sweet and salty.

And now you have enough ideas to get you through a whole week!

I enjoy sitting on my balcony, writing about wine, and how people can enjoy it more. As I sit here, experiencing all the exhilaration summer has to offer, I wonder: what should I serve my friends this weekend? Lighter foods and longer evenings spent with friends call for crisp whites and light-bodied reds. Here’s my thought process on how I decide what to serve.

I should begin with a couple of bottles of dry Riesling, a versatile white wine that is refreshing and compatible with a large number of entrees, such as grilled pork chops and broiled scallops. Because I’m thinking of Rieslings that are on the dryer side, I’m most likely going to be looking for Alsacians. I will also add a couple of crisp Sauvignon Blanc bottles, either white Bordeaux (very dry and minerally), or California versions with good acidity but more fruitiness, and of course bottles from Malborough. Knowing that I like throwing my guests curve balls, and introducing them to new wines, I may add a selection of Pinot Gris from Oregon, Sonoma Valley or northeast France.

Now I’m thinking pink. Rose wines are perfect for summertime entertaining, either as a refreshing aperitif or with lighter dishes such as grilled chicken and salmon. I could do a bottle or two of Pinot Noir rose from California. I could also do a few light reds such as Valpolicella from Italy and a Rhone Valley red from southeastern France. Valpolicella would be great with antipasto and other light Italian foods, including pastas with red or white sauces (I’ll have to check with Laurie about the menu). If we have meatier dishes, I’ll go with a slightly heavier Rhone red, expressing the tart and palate-cleansing flavors of Grenache and Syrah grapes.

Finally, I’ll add sparkling wines from the United States, Spain and possibly Italy. A favorite warm-weather bubbly of mine is Prosecco from Italy with its light touch of sweetness. Now that I’m thinking about it, I might also select a Cava from Spain. A sparkling wine from California or France (no, not a Champagne) will also be good to have. I’ll just have to make sure that if we start with bubbly, we have enough left over for the end of the night as well. I was contemplating throwing in a port or sherry, but that would inevitably lead me to breaking out cigars, and I don’t think I have enough Cohiba’s to go around.

When it comes to wine, there are many imitators, but only one France. Have your doubts? Then take a look at all of the different wine regions producing some of the best wines in the world. And as you consider all of the wine coming from all of the regions, keep in mind that they are all over France. It would be like saying that instead of the US looking to just the west coast for power-house wines, we could begin considering New York, Texas, and even Florida as prime wine producing regions. And we may get to that point…in another 20 years.

Alsace: Provocative and unique, Alsatian whites are the most significant and well known. Start with Riesling and Gewurztraminer. There are soft, pale red wines made from Pinot Noir, often produced as roses. Sparkling wines known as Cremant d’Alsace are also produced in this region.

Bordeaux: Bordeaux is justifiably famous for its dry reds, but sample the dry whites, too. Red Bordeaux varietals can include Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Merlot. The most popular white varietals are Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc. For dessert, sumptuously sweet Sauternes could be the ultimate.

Burgundy (Bourgogne): Red Burgundies, made from Pinot Noir, are among the world’s most cherished wines, but Chardonnay fans will thank themselves for giving white Burgundy and Chablis a go, as well. If you like fruity reds, you probably already admire Beaujolais and its constituent grape, Gamay.

Champagne: French Champagnes are among the most refined and luxurious sparkling wines in the world. They’re made exclusively from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and/or Pinot Meunier grapes.

Languedoc-Roussillon: In addition to the Corbieres and Minervois regions, explore the huge range of both reds and whites generally labeled Vin de Pays d’Oc. These wines are often identified by grape variety (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Chardonnay are the ones to look for here), and many are underpriced.

Loire: Standard bearers for this important region are Sancerre and Pouilly Fume, both elegant dry whites made from Sauvignon Blanc. Vouvray is also a popular Chenin Blanc-based wine.

Rhone: The northern Rhone is admired for powerful reds – Cote Rotie, Hermitage, and Crozes-Hermitage, all showcasing Syrah. The south offers highly regarded, pricey Chateauneuf du Pape, a famous blend, as well as the easygoing red Cotes du Rhone, also a blend. Roses from Tavel are considered some of France’s finest. When choosing a Rhone, remember the three main red varietals are Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvedre.

In many articles I attempt to draw a parallel from Old World wines to New World Wines. I can suggest Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley in Oregon, as opposed to Pinot Noir from the Burgundy region of France. I can suggest a Meritage from California instead of a Bordeaux. I could even suggest that lovers of Champagne try sparkling wines from New York State. But for all the different regions you’d have to visit to try amazing New World wine, you don’t have to go any further than France to try just about everything.

Think blush is out of style? No way, rose. Not so long ago, rose (pronounced row-ZAY, not like the flower) sparkling wine was thought of as low-quality. The word on the street was that rose was too frivolous, too sweet and too…pink. Honestly, some of it was. At that time only true wine lovers knew that the better roses were complex creations from some of the most prestigious Champagne houses in France and other wine producers around the world.

In the last few years though, a much broader consumer base has caught on to the charms of sparkling rose. Most of these wines are elegant, dry and flavorful, and the festive color certainly doesn’t diminish their appeal. Suddenly Rose Champagne is the fastest-growing segment in the sparkling wine category, and producers are rolling out new labels, and amping up production as fast as they can. Sparkling rose prices run from under $30 for light, everyday bubbly to well over $500 for vintage Rose Champagne. (Note: It’s called “Rose Champagne” if it comes from France’s Champagne area and “sparkling rose” if it comes from anywhere else.)

Good sparkling rose offers all the complexity and many of the same flavors as a red wine without the heaviness. A good rule of thumb is sparkling rose works with any food you might pair with a Pinot Noir:  pork, duck, salmon and tuna. This makes sense, as Pinot Noir is nearly always used in the production of sparkling rose (it should also be noted that Pinot Noir is usually the dominant grape in regular Champagne as well).

How Does It Get Pink? Rose bubbly can get its pink hue in a number of ways. With Rose Champagne, it’s usually achieved by adding a little bit of red wine (typically Pinot Noir) at some point in the production process. Most sparkling roses from the rest of the world are made pink by allowing the red grape skins to stay in contact with the juices for awhile during the fermentation process.

If the summer heat has you intrigued enough to go out and try a sparkling rose, here are a few suggestions to try that should cost under $30:
•    Banti Rosa Regale
•    Chandon Rose
•    Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Rose
•    Korbel Brut Rose

If you’re only willing to try Champagne, here are some suggestions for bottles under $100:
•    NV Pommery Brut Rose
•    NV Moet et Chandon Brut Rose
•    Veuve Clicquot Brut Rose Reserve Vintage
•    NV Taittinger Brut Prestige Rose

For those who only drink the best, or for those believing that any rose really isn’t all that and a bag of chips, check out these bottles which usually run over $200 per bottle:
•    Louis Roederer Cristal Rose
•    1998 Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Rose
•    1996 Moet et Chandon Dom Perignon Rose
•    2003 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Brut Rose
•    2002 Perrier Jouet Fleur de Champagne Rose

An abundance of high-quality wines hail from France’s Loire Valley.  These wines are light and refreshing, and are great to use for any type of outdoor entertaining. Yet because most Loire wines are named for places within the region, many of these superb sips remain a mystery to wine lovers. Check out this quick guide to help you make sense of them all.

Named after one of the most renowned regions in the Loire Valley, Pouilly-Fume is a world-class aromatic white made exclusively from Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Other regions that produce wonderful Sauvignon Blanc are Sancerre and Touraine.  Remember, when in the Loire section of your wine store, these wines will be listed by region, not varietal, so look for bottles that say Sancerre and Touraine, not Sauvignon Blanc (as they would if produced in the New World).

Vouvray lies at the eastern end of the valley near Tours. Slightly sweet but still delightfully dry, Vouvray wine is made from 100 percent Chenin Blanc grapes. In addition to winsome dry wines, the large Vouvray district also produces excellent sweets and sparklers. If you’re looking for a tantalizing wine to serve with seafood this summer, give Muscadet a look. Some of the most interesting of these come from the sub-regions of Muscadet, which lies at the western end of the Loire Valley. Be sure to check for the words “sur lie” on the label, as these versions offer some of the most intense flavors of all Muscadets.

The Loire also makes fantastic roses that range from slightly, to fully off-dry (that is, a little sweet). Because these roses are lighter versions of red wines such as Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, and Gamay, the Loire’s roses make superb introductory sips for those who are new to wine. Some of the best can be found around the region of Anjou, about 200 miles southwest of Paris. Look for bottles labeled Rose d’Anjou.

Second only to the Champagne region as a producer of sparkling wines, Loire sparklers are required by law to be made with the same labor-intensive technique as their sassy competitors to the north. For great quality at bargain-basement prices, sparklers with Vouvray in their names are very hard to beat. There are also sweet wines made from Chenin Blanc grapes which represent the most outstanding incarnations of this varietal and style. As I mentioned above, Vouvray sweets are particularly notable.

Long recognized as the finest of Spain’s renowned wine regions, Rioja is steeped in a tradition forged almost exclusively from refined, exceptionally long-aged red wines. In fact, you can catch a glimpse of this legendary past with the delightfully old-fashioned gold wire netting that still covers many bottles. Yet these days, a flood of trendsetting new wineries called bodegas (say it with me now bo-de-gas) are introducing wines made in a more modern style. Better still, in addition to its spectacular reds, even Rioja’s lesser-known whites and roses are now getting into the act.  A suggestion: spend some time in the Spanish section of your wine shop – of course, after having read this article.

Rioja made its first big splash on the wine scene in the mid-19th century, at a time when French vineyards to the north were hit by a devastating double whammy of powdery mildew and phylloxera, a vine-killing parasite. As French wines evaporated from the market, wine merchants desperately searched for great wines to replace them. Knowing that Rioja produced magnificent red wine – much of it aged in oak barrels like the finest Bordeaux – French merchants made a beeline for this previously untapped region. For Rioja, the trade had an explosive impact, causing growers to plant thousands more acres of vines and securing a reputation that’s endured to the present day.

Aficionados have always cherished Rioja’s classic old wines, which have an unblemished reputation for elegance and earthiness. Traditionally, these were fermented in huge wooden vats and then aged for years in small, American oak barrels, which added a tantalizing vanilla aroma. Today, in addition to the classic style, you’ll find many bodegas fermenting wines in modern stainless-steel tanks for crisper flavors.  Also, in an effort to create greater complexity, bodegas are also aging in French rather than American oak. Whatever the style, the reverence for older wine remains, and Rioja’s labeling system reflects this – dividing oak-aged red wines into three categories: Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva. Look for one of these three designations on bottles of Rioja. If you prefer fresher, fruitier flavors, select Crianza, which is the youngest of the three. For greater depth, try a longer-aged Reserva. And for an oak-driven reflection of centuries past, opt for the painstakingly long-aged Gran Reserva.

For Rioja red wines, the most important grape variety, by far, is Tempranillo. It yields an elegant and complex medium-bodied wine, capable of plenty of aging. Although some wines are made solely from Tempranillo, more often Riojas are a blend of Tempranillo seasoned with smaller amounts of Garnacha, Graciano, and/or Mazuelo.

Although Rioja is still known primarily for its red wines, white Riojas, which feature Viura, Garnacha Blanca, and/or Malvasia grapes, are threatening to change all that. They’re made in a wealth of exotic styles, from traditional, long-aged white Reservas to chic, barrel-fermented versions; for those, look for the words “Fermentado en Barrica” on the label.

Don’t skip past the roses, either. Although roses from the nearby Navarra region tend to get better press, Rioja roses can also be diverse and interesting – in particular, the rare Reserva versions that are aged before release.

So now that you’re prepared to tame and tackle the Spanish wine section, I hope you begin to spend more time exploring these  shelves.

When everything else in the world seems to climb in costs year after year, it’s good to see that there are still plenty of wines priced at $10 to $15 a bottle that you can pour with confidence. In fact, most wine drinkers agree that today’s inexpensive wines are better than ever. The trick is trying to find the wines. While any trip to the wine aisle will reveal dozens upon dozens of reasonably priced wines on the shelves, choosing from among the often-zany labels – featuring everything from oversized roosters to yellow-tailed kangaroos – can be a challenge. But how is this choosing possible without spending hours at the liquor store? Easy, join a wine club – we do the work for you!

I hate to shamelessly plug my own wine club in a post, but after the conversation I had with my friend Jenn, I felt compelled to explain the ways a wine club benefits wine drinkers. And why choosing my wine club is the way to go (shameless plug). Jenn wanted to sign her husband Bobby up for a “wine of the month” club as a present for his first Father’s Day, and had an idea of what she was looking for. “Every day wines, all red, two bottles per month,” she said. I then suggested she look at The Party for Two (2 red) tier. Jenn then asked me how I choose what wines to send out every month. Well, here’s how I pretty much go about it…

I may choose a popular California varietal – but from a less familiar region. Some of the best low-priced, high-value wines have recently hailed from South America. So I look for Argentinean Chardonnay and Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay. On the other hand, I may include a bottle of tasty French Sparkling wine that I feel is a better value than its Californian counterparts. I could also send wines that people wouldn’t think to buy, like smooth Old Vine Zinfandel from Amador County, California. Some of my favorite wines are bold, zesty Zinfandels, but not too many people venture over to these shelves at stores. Once you get turned onto them, you’ll also enjoy the fact that Zinfandels are often the best value on restaurant wine lists

I feel that branching out with varieties and styles is very important when choosing wines for the Club. Introducing wine drinkers to their next favorite bottle is the best part of my job. For instance, I may include a Malbec from Argentina in an effort to help someone who usually prefers Cabernet Sauvignon make their wine lineup more exciting. Vinho Verde is a light, refreshing white wine from Portugal that’s famously inexpensive, and can give some variety to Pinot Grigio drinkers. Because many consumers mistakenly think that all pink wines are all as sweet as White Zinfandel, they pass over rows of vastly underrated (and under priced) rose wines – many of which could please both a red and white drinker. Riesling, too, is so under-appreciated that the price remains low for many of these elegant wines.

While it’s tempting to stick to your tried-and-true “usual,” it’s fun finding that next great bottle. But why roll the dice when there is such an easier way? Better your odds by letting me pre-taste bottles for you. I’ll get the hangover getting past the not-so-good bottles, and you’ll get the same wine I’d send to my friends.

In 2006, Savanna Samson released her Sogno Uno (Dream One) under her new Savanna Wine label.  It was an Italian red, blended from Cesanese, Sangiovese, and Montepulciano.  This wouldn’t be news except for the fact that Savanna Samson is a Vivid Girl, and one of the top stars in adult entertainment today.  Although thought to be a gimmick similar to other stars lending their name to wine, Samson’s wine was actually good.  Next came her second bottle, a white made from Falanghina aptly named Sogno Due (Dream Two).  Now, The South Beach Wine Club is ready to recieve Samson’s third bottle Sogno Tre later this year. Ed McCarthy of the book Wine for Dummies has already given Sogno Tre 92 points – close to the 91 point score Robert Parker gave to Sugno Uno.  Some could speculate that Samson does not deserve these ratings, and that these gentlemen are merely blinded by her adult films.  Vivid Entertainment was kind enough to arrange a meeting with Savanna, and you’ll be happy to know that she is just as passionate about her wine as she is about her day job.

Savanna Samson's Wine Label

The soon to be released Sogno Tre (Dream Three) is going to be a Barbera from 50 year old vines. Samson prefers Old World varietals because of the history in the grapes and soil.  She explains that, “These grapes have had to struggle, and you can taste that struggle in the wine.”  Samson’s own wine preferences are mostly for Italian wines, so she continues to try to make wines that she herself would enjoy.  Sogno Due came about from her love of Pinot Grigio, specifically Santa Margarita.  Over time, she began liking their bottle less and less and decided to make her own light refreshing white wine.  “Perhaps they changed the formula,” she joked.  Any executive working for Coke in the 80s can tell you – don’t change the formula!  The Italian reds she regularly drinks are Chiantis and Super Tuscans.  Pinot Noir is also one of her favorite red varietals, but only from Burgundy because, “California Pinot’s, although consistent, are pretty predictable.”

Sogno Tre is only the halfway point to Samson’s dream of creating a portfolio of six bottles.  Next on the list will be Champagne from legendary producer Moutard.  Samson loves the idea of making a Blanc de Blanc (100% Pinot Noir) or even a Rose. Either way, her goal is to try new things and to “see what I can call my own.”  No complaints from her fans; we love to see Samson trying new things.

Savanna Samson with Randy of The South Beach Wine Club at Exxxotica Miami

In addition to her three dreams and the Champagne, Samson also wants to work on a Super Tuscan and a Pinot Grigio.  She will be keeping wine maker Roberto Cipresso for every bottle in her line, but is uncertain of what the sixth bottle will be.  She is looking to her fan base to provide some suggestions, so please submit some ideas.  Samson wants to stay true to form, producing sexy wines for people to have at parties.  “Serving wine at parties changes the party.  People talk more and began interacting much more.”  We like the road that Samson is going down with this thought – all we have to do is watch one of her videos to know how those parties end.

Living in Florida, I regularly get asked about proper wine storage.  Is it okay to put wine in the refrigerator, do those small wine cabinets work, and are whites and reds okay to store in the same temperature are the usual questions.  Concern over proper wine storage is warranted whether a person purchases a $10 bottle or $100 bottle. And I feel the best way to explain the storage of wine is to run the gamut of storage options.

The placement of your bottles during storage is more important that many think. Bottles of wine sealed with a natural cork should be stored on their sides, with their label side up. The cork is porous and should be kept moist so as not to dry out and spoil the wine. You should lay the bottle label up so you can tell what bottle you’re looking at. I realize this sounds silly, but if the label isn’t facing up, you have to roll the bottle around to see what it is and that is pretty disruptive to the wine. Bottles that have synthetic corks or screw-top bottles are best kept upright.

Storing and serving your wines at the correct temperature is also important. The optimal temperature to store wine is between 52-56° F (11-13° C). Both red and white wines can be cellared together as long as it is in this temperature range. When preparing to serve your wine, your reds should be approximately 59-64° F (15-18° C). Your white wine, sparkling wine, and rose should be served at approximately 50° F (10° C), so make sure you have an ice bucket on hand.

The wrong storage temperature will certainly damage your wine, as will too much light.  Too much heat will cause a wine to lose its liveliness and take on a cooked, toffee flavor.  Red wines will look brown and white wines will darken in color. Too much light or a dried out cork can cause the wine to oxidize and take on a woody flavor. Light can have the most significant effect on sparkling wines, causing them to lose their bubbles and darken in color.

Ideal storage for wine includes as little natural light as possible, no draughts, no vibration, and very little variation in temperature. This makes standard refrigerators a poor choice for storing wine over time. Wine cellars offer a great way to store wines, but can be very expensive. And it should be noted that a true cellar can be damp so don’t forget the humidifier if you go this route. A standard wine refrigerator seems to be the best idea. Just make sure that the wine refrigeration unit seals very tight to hold the temperature, and doesn’t vibrate too much. Wine refrigerators come in all sizes so as to house wine collections ranging from 10-1000 bottles. As an added bonus, you can purchase a unit that has dual temperature controls. This enables you to keep your white, sparkling, and rose wines slightly colder than your reds.