It’s that time again. If you drink wine and you live in California, you probably know about BevMo’s 5-cent Sale that’s going on right now.

If you don’t know about it, well then I’d like to welcome you to the wonderful world of wine exploration. There are very few things about living in California that you get at less expense than those living elsewhere. Great wine happens to be one of them. Take advantage of it.

The Real Deal About this Sale

With over 200 bottles to choose from, BevMo members can buy one bottle of wine and get the second one for 5-cents.

The BevMo Drama

Now, there are complaints online that BevMo marks up the cost on the first bottle. I’ve had friends mention this, too. However, this is really a ridiculous argument. Of course, the savings varies by bottle, but even if they mark a bottle up 30%, you’re getting 2-for-1. According to my English-major math, you’re usually coming out with a general savings of 20% – 35% on two bottles of wine.

That said, you do need to be a bit wary. On a day-to-day basis, BevMo has some questionable pricing on a few items and this can carry over to the sale.

Look Closely

You know, if you go to CostCo, you’re pretty sure you’re going to find a competitive price on whatever you’re looking to buy. That’s not the case at BevMo. Most of the time they have good prices, but then they’ll drastically overcharge on a few random items for rather mysterious reasons.

But, is it any real surprise to learn that you have to pay attention to find the best deal? Our savings savvy readers know this.

So, when shopping on a regular basis, frugal Gauchos who enjoy good wine will compare the prices of their favorites at places like Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods.

You’ll Probably Score a Deal

With the 5-cent sale, the chances are that you will get a good deal on anything on the sale list. There are exceptions to that, so it’s best to not go in totally blind, but this really is a sale worth checking out.

No one ever seems to know the exact end date for this sale, they always say it’s for a limited time, but it’s better to go sooner for best selection.

Why This is Great for Winos

Living in the Bay Area, everyone loves wine and many of the winos I know love to take advantage of this sale.

It’s perfect for stocking up on a favorite, but it’s also a great way to learn about new wines.

Half of the art of wine is knowing what type of meal to drink it with. So, take advantage of this sale and mix it up. Try a new bottle with dinner and think about what it would go well with. Store it away, then pair it with with more purpose later. It’s a fun way to explore wines and how they interplay with food.

What to Get

The BevMo employees might help you find a bottle, but they aren’t wine experts. I wouldn’t go in there seeking their council on what to get, or take it too seriously if it’s offered. You’re almost better off just guessing.

Now I’m no wine pro, but I did bartend my way through college and I’ve been to Napa enough to tell you what I like and why. If you don’t know what to get, here are my picks.

Cosentino “the Cab” – The classic big cab. Dark cherry and tobacco flavors. I don’t think it’s quite as good as it used to be, but, that goes for most of the Napa cabs. At $16, this is a great deal for 2 bottles of a big, well-rounded cab. You can’t get it at the winery that cheap. Great with steaks and heavy meats.
Elodian Cabernet ’05 — I’m probably too cheap to spend $35 on a bottle of wine, let’s be honest here. But, for 2 bottles of wine, this is the type of thing that might catch my eye. Why is this a great deal? Because ’05 was THE epic big year for cabs in Napa. This seems like a late release which means it could have some big flavors. Worth the gamble. This wine probably sells for $25 elsewhere, and they’re marking the price up here, but for 2 bottles of wine, $35 is better than $50. This is where I’d consider trying one sometime in the next few months, then saving another for a later date.
Shiloh Road Cabernet ’07 — I’m not sure why, but BevMo really seems to push this wine. They must get a lot of it at a good price. If I was paying $17 a bottle, I wouldn’t get it. For 2, this is a good deal for a decent, middle-of-the-road cab. It’s not fantastic, but it’s pretty tasty.
Carneros Creek Pinot Noir Reserve ’07 — Carneros Creek, which sits in a fog belt south of Napa, does a great job with sparkling wines and pinots. 2 bottles for $25 is a great deal.
Irony Pinot Noir ’07 — I like Monterey County pinots. This one can usually be found at Safeway for $13 – $14 bucks. At $16 for 2, this would probably be my pick of the day.
Red Bicyclette Chardonnay ’07 – $13 for 2. If you’re a chardonnay drinker, I think this one is worth a try.
Cosentino The Novelist Meeting — $17 for 2. A nice Sauvignon Blanc-based blend.

So those are my choices. What would yours be? I’d love to hear.