BevMo!, The Upscale Alternative to Traditional Liquor Stores

BevMo! may be one of the most genius businesses ever created. Well, at least in the opinion of those fortunate California, Arizona, and Washington residents who love alcohol. For everyone else outside these regions, let me explain. BevMo! is a liquor store with 150 locations, but it's not gross, dirty, and small. It's an upscale liquor store with amazing selections of beer, liquor, wine, food, glassware and even more - with items ranging from affordable to high end. Looking for a brew specific to a certain region and can't find it in your neighborhood? BevMo! probably carries it. Want quality wine to serve at a get-together but not sure what to select? BevMo! has a large selection with a rating system to help you choose great flavors!

Recently the 151st BevMo opened in Riverside, CA, a suburb of Los Angeles, and to celebrate an intimate event was held for local bloggers, complete with wine tasting led by Cellar Master, Wilfred Wong. A 40+ year veteran of the industry, Wong tastes approximately 6,000 to 8,000 wines, spirits and beers annually and participates in as many as a dozen+ competitions annually. He's also responsible for managing the wine rating system at BevMo! Um, where can I sign up to be his colleague?!

BevMo! is well-know and loved in these parts due to their 5 Cent Wine Sale. Buy one wine at regular price, get the second wine for just 5 cents. Buy one case of wine at the regular price, and the second case is just 60 cents!* 

And on top of those straight up steals, satisfaction is guaranteed. If you are not completely happy with your purchase, just take the wine back, with your receipt, and BevMo! will happily refund the purchase price.

The 5 Cent Wine Sale is currently taking place and to help you select some wines, Wong created a list of his top 10 choices, along with food pairings:

1. Main & Geary Pinot Grigio ’12 (92 points) 
Suggested Pairing: linguine, clams in a light cream sauce

2. Ray’s Creek Sauvignon Blanc (89 points) 
Suggested Pairing: raw oysters on the half shell

3. Dolce Vita Prosecco (89 points) 
Suggested Pairing: tuna sashimi, with sorrel and lemon

4. Beringer Carneros Chardonnay ’12 (92 points)
Suggested Pairing: sauteed, pounded chicken breast in a light crème sauce

5. Ray’s Creek Chardonnay (91 points) 
Suggested Pairing: lightly grilled shrimp, with a white wine reduction sauce

6. Kenwood Jack London Merlot ’10 (92 points)
Suggested Pairing: baked pork tenderloin, with savory spices

7. Zolo Gaucho Select Malbec ’11 (91 points)
Suggested Pairing: grilled beef or goat, light red wine reduction sauce

8. Donovan-Parke Pinot Noir ’12 (91 PTS)
Suggested Pairing: grilled salmon, fresh, savory herbs

9. Unruly Red Table Wine ’11 (92 points)
Suggested Pairing: grilled beef or lamb, with a light touch of savory herbs

10. Crooked Path Zinfandel ’11 (93 points) 
Suggested Pairing: Greek style lamb kebobs, with rosemary and lemon zest

You didn't think the greatness ended there did you? Of course not. BevMo! also hosting tastings! Check your local store for details for tastings near you. 

So if you live in CA, AZ, or WA, head into your local BevMo! to take advantage of the 5 Cent Wine Sale. For everyone else, I hope the store branches out soon to the rest of the country. I know it will, it's too good to be contained on the West Coast!

*In Washington: 2 for 1 Sale: Buy 2 bottles of the same wine for the regular price of 1. Must be a ClubBev! member (free to sign up and you get points for purchases). 

Disclosure: in exchange for participation in this campaign I received incentives. However, all opinions are my own.