Meet you at the ~club~.
Costco is the nation's largest wine retailer.
Each year, the retail giant sells almost $4 billion in alcohol, with wine making up almost half of that number. Annette Alvarez-Peters, Costco's beverage alcohol manager, told Market Watch magazine that the chain made $1.69 billion in wine sales in 2016, making it the largest wine retailer in the country.
Mike Mozart via Flickr / Via Flickr: jeepersmedia
In some states, you can buy wine and liquor even if you're not a Costco member.
In about a dozen states — including California, Massachusetts, and Connecticut — alcohol sales can't be exclusive to a club or membership. So if that applies to your local Costco and you aren't a member, just tell the employee at the door you're buying liquor; by law, they have to let you in.
@thefermentedfruit / Via instagram.com
Costco's Kirkland Signature vodka has scored higher than Grey Goose in blind tastings.
In fact, there are lots of rumors that Kirkland and Grey Goose are made at the same plant. According to Munchies, that isn't entirely true — though the two vodkas are made with water sourced from Gensac Springs in Cognac, France. Even more surprising, Munchies explains that Kirkland vodka scored six points higher than Grey Goose in a handful of reputable blind tasting competitions.
@jriverasf / Via instagram.com
Wine at Costco is typically priced up to 20% lower than at competing wine stores.
Costco sells this Brunello di Montalcino for under $20. When you look online to buy this same exact bottle, other wine shops around the country sell it for $28 to $40. According to the Daily Meal, most of the wine at Costco is sold for 10% to 20% less than at other wine stores.
@mr.winetime / Via instagram.com
via BuzzFeed/Food