Today's Laff In The Wine World...

Noticed a full page ad in my latest Newsweek for one Tony Laithwaite and his 4Seasons wine offer (http://www.4SeasonsWine.com). You can taste "EXCEPTIONAL" wines YOU WON'T FIND IN STORES....6...count'em..6 for only $29.99!!!
WOW...whatta deal. I'm buying a $hitload (Kansas colloquialism for a lot).
When you go to his WebSite, you soon understand why you won't find them in stores...a buncha shlock under made-up names. Surprisingly..you can also find Seth Kunin's '02 Syrah/AlisosVnyd...at $40/btl.
But wait...there's more. For this $30, you also get FREE a DELUX CONNOISSEUR CORKSCREW SET IN A WOOD PRESENTATION BOX!! A $49.99 value!! Wow..I'm impressed.
But wait.....these "fabulous wines are not mass-produced in factories, but are made with pride by dedicated vintners"!! The Merlot....is made by San Antonio Wnry in Los Angeles..obviously NOT mass-produced...limited to only a gadzillion cases I suspect.
Anyway...makes for some amusing Sat morning reading.
Tom

I had a look at the website but I couldn't see Tony Laithwaites name anywhere.

He is well known in UK; he started more than 30 years ago by driving a van down to southern France, buying wine and selling it back to UK. He now runs huge operations under various names and now owns the famous old Bristol wine shippers Averys.

There have been several threads about his operations on the UK forum, mostly relating to the overuse of hyperbole in marketing the wines.

However, its a slick operation with fast delivery, a no-quibbles money back guarantee and many satisfied customers -- me included. (though the 4 Seasons seems a different deal where you are committed to buying regularly.

See http://www.laithwaites.co.uk and click on "I began with a van ..." link at bottom left if you want his background