Here's an interesting Costco wine item that one of our readers, Eric N, first alerted us to on Twitter. This trend in alcohol related advent calendars seems to be really catching on. I know Aldi has one or two. And I've heard that Costco has a beer Advent Calendar too but haven't seen it in stores near me.
Today we're going to look at the Wine Advent Calendar at Costco that includes 24 different half bottles (375ml) of different varietals from around the world. Costco's price is $99.99, so you're getting a lot of wine for the money. And between the different styles of red, wine and bubbly, there's definitely something for everyone inside.
The box is enormous, pretty heavy and very creatively laid out. The first thing you notice is the top that opens up like the wings on a Tesla Model X. Underneath is a top cover with circular holes and calendar dates that can be punched through to grab the bottle below.
I like how they stagger the numbers rather then follow a linear order; if you open the cover you can see all the wines below, but you'll never be able to tell which one's for which day without referencing the cover on the other side. It adds a bit of mystery to the whole thing, and makes it easier to do the calendar on the set schedule with no cheating.
Since I knew this item was already in Costco stores, I wanted to get this review up as soon as possible. We've never really reviewed an item like this, so I wasn't positive how to do it, and do it quickly. If I were to follow the calendar, I wouldn't be done until Christmas.
So we decided to pull four random bottles and sample them to see how the wine was. Overall, our takeaway from the tasting was that the wines are good representations of the varietals and regions from which they originate. Having 24 half bottles is also super handy when you just want a couple glasses with dinner.
Let's look at the four bottles we tasted:
2018 Chateau Haut Pourjac Bordeaux
This was a young, juicy and fruity Bordeaux as you would guess since it's such a new vintage; there was a touch of spice and dark fruit flavor throughout. The wine had a good dusty, dry finish.
13% alc.
NV Andantino Prosecco
This prosecco had flavors of pear, green apple and white peach; it was crisp with a dose of sweetness towards finish.
11.5% alc.
2018 Piranha Vinho Verde
The Vinho Verde was medium in body, with a slight effervescence; flavors of citrus, tangerine and orange.
9.5% alc.
2018 Formosa Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie
This Italian Pinot Grigio was clear on the pour, light and refreshing; flavors of lemon/lime, nice acidity. It would make a good dessert wine to pair with something sweet.
12% alc.
Like I said before, there's a lot of wine here, and a nice sampling of different styles. If you're curious about what each of the 24 bottles are you can visit the Wine Advent Calendar website to read more about all of them.
All in all, this is a really fun item, at a very fair Costco price. The presentation is well done, and if you're like me, and love to indulge in a bit of extra wine throughout the holidays, having 24 half bottles on hand will help keep the party rolling.
Costco item number: 1357643
This wine was received as a sample for the purpose of writing this review. All reviews are written at the discretion of the individual reviewer. Opinions of the reviewer do not necessarily reflect those of CostcoWineBlog.com as a whole, and reviewers are not paid for their reviews by wineries or their affiliated distributors. We at CostcoWineBlog.com believe that wine preferences and opinions are often subjective and highly individualistic. Our scores are based on our individual perception of a wine and how well it reflects the area in which the grapes are grown, the expression of the grapes, and also the quality of the finished product. We remind readers that we are 100% independent of Costco Wholesale Corporation, and are simply of a group of Costco wine fans looking to try new wines and share our favorites with this community.
Linda D. Garland says
10/16/19:
FYI:
The Beer Advent Calendar is available now @ the Brookhaven (Atlanta store) #1084.
Trevor Wooden says
Is anyone seeing the wine version at Atlanta locations? Brookhaven only has the beer version.
Linda scheer says
Looking for the wine advent it is not in the store by me
Jkn says
Checked with wine concierge at Mt View, CA yesterday and not available yet
Keisha says
Has anyone found the wine calendar in Southern California?
Sheri says
Not available at my Southern California store. Anyone else locate one in So Cal?
Ej says
I can't find one in San Diego
Tammy s Kirkland says
Is there any stores in virginia that have the calendar. Cant find it.
jr4mni says
Looking for Detroit, MI area. Went to Bloomfield Hills and Lakeside today (10/23) and no sign of this yet. Just really, really hoping that it's not in stores here yet and will be in Nov!
Tella says
Not available from Costco in Hawthorne, CA on 10/22/2019!
Sheri says
Hawthorne Costco is my local store too! I will try to look again this weekend.
BL says
Unable to find Wine Advent Calendar in Columbia Greenville Spartanburg SC
Associate at Costco was not able to find in SC stores Is Costco # 135 76 43 correct?
Augusta GA??
Anne Dono says
Bought 3 at the Costco in Wayne, NJ. I first checked at the Edison, NJ store ( only certain Costco's in NJ have liquor license). Edison store said they only had 4 left and that they have been moving quickly. Costco was great and checked the Wayne store and said they had 12. Went that afternoon and they were down to 9 so I grabbed 3. Beer calendar was also out too! Store did say that they only get a certain amount and will probably not get any more. Looks to be the perfect gift at the holidays and will break out early for Thanksgiving.
Jackie says
Hi please let me know if concord or Antioch or Livermore have this wine special!!
Linda D. Garland says
10/27/19 UPDATE:
The Beer Calendar @ Brookhaven Store #1084 (Atlanta) is almost 100% sold out.
HURRY in this week if you still want one ---- they will be 100% sold out very soon on this Holiday item. Yesterday we sold TONS!!!!
Susan Antenucci says
Hi...New here. I read about the advent box. I had Costco run the item # to locate it and it is not a good number. For anyone who bought it, can you look at your receipt and give the correct item # so we can locate a warehouse that has it? No one at my Costco has seen it. Hoping I can find one!
Thx !
Editor says
Hi Susan, I hope you are able to find it as well. Pretty sure that's the right item number though. Here's a pic http://costcowineblog.com//wp-content/uploads/2019/10/O0ADIaX6.jpeg
Linda D. Garland says
11.4.19:
Costco Stores:
http://www.acaciavineyard.com/en-us/wines/acacia-pinot-noir/pinot-noir-carneros/2016
on sale now @ $12.99 / bottle
Acacia Carneros Pinot Noir ----- this is a special "deal" on a very delicious Pinot Noir!
(it is selling like crazy @ the Brookhaven Store (#1084) )
Todd says
I have encountered the same situation here in Central Texas. Item # invalid and no one has seen or heard of it.
Needmywine says
I just stopped at a Costco here in TX...they had never heard of the wine advent calendar...and the beer advent calendar sold out in October. 🙁
Lou Sutherland says
Has anyone seen it in the Woodlands Texas store?
Linda D. Garland says
2019 HOlIDAY WINE NEWS:
The famous and fabulous Kirkland brand 10 year Tawny Port came into the Atlanta stores yesterday!
($16.99 / bottle)
nuccijs says
Thanks!! I will continue to check!!!! Looking forward to reading reviews etc.
Jkn says
Advent wine box 1357643
Got mine at Costco Mt. View on 11/1. As the palate was being brought to the front of the store the driver said 6 were taken as he was moving. Looked like ~36 boxes. On cart
Joe says
Sold out completely in Christiana de Oct 29.
Megan Hill says
I called my local Costco today and they said that no one in the area (nor cal/Sacramento) has it. Has anyone one seen it nearby?
Guy says
How can I order an Advent Wine Calendar. 1357643
smith says
Bordeaux wine is one of the favorite my wine because its taste is very sweet. I have some collection of Bordeaux (old and new)
A Brian Cain says
Yes, I am aware that of the 13 white wine appellations in Bordeaux, 11 of them produce sweet white wine, but, even so, this is a very very small part of the whole. You should try the dry white wines and it goes without saying that the dry red wines are king!
A Brian Cain says
In Grand Rapids and Grandville they claim that the wine Advent Calendars "haven't come in yet". If they don't have them by now, I would guess they are not coming in. They did not get any in Lansing either. They had them in Traverse City and in Ann Arbor, but sold out. Not sure if anywhere else in Michigan. The one at Costco was a much better deal than the one at Aldi or Meijer. Meijer still has some in Holland on West Shore Drive, but, they are $80 for 24x187ml.