3 Good Reasons to Buy Your Wine From Costco

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If the idea of shopping for wine at Costco seems strange, I get it. When I first heard about it, the inner wine snob I didn't even know I had perked up. Buying wine…at Costco? Not at a fancy wine shop, with someone to tell you all about the origins and flavor profiles of each bottle?

It's good to have an open mind, because Costco is one of the best places to buy wine. Here's why you may want to pick up a bottle or five the next time you're shopping at Costco .

1. It has a great selection of quality wines

The most common worry about buying wine at Costco is the quality. No one wants to drink lousy wine.

You won't need to settle for less at your local Costco warehouse. It has domestic wines from California and Washington, as well as international wines from France, Italy, Argentina, Spain, and other countries around the world. You'll be able to get the same wines you could at other stores, but likely for a cheaper price.

There are also Kirkland Signature wines. These tend to go fast, because they're extremely popular. While Kirkland Signature is Costco's private label, these wines all come from reputable winemakers. They're an excellent option if you're looking for quality wine at a budget-friendly price.

2. Costco's markup on alcohol is much lower than most stores

Costco is known for having low prices -- that's one of the reasons so many people pay a membership fee to shop there. Surprisingly, that's also true of its wine prices.

Liquor stores generally charge a markup of anywhere from 25% to 45% on their alcohol, according to reporting by the Chicago Tribune . The markup is the percentage the retailer adds to the price it pays for an item. If a store buys a bottle of wine for $20 and sells it for $25, it's charging a 25% markup.

Analysts have found that Costco's markup on alcohol is only about 10% to 14%. Even on a $15 bottle, you could save by buying at Costco. These savings really add up if you buy wine often, if you buy expensive wine, or if you pay for it using a Costco credit card to earn cash back.

3. It's convenient

Finally, there's the convenience factor. If you have a Costco membership, you probably shop there regularly. For some people, that means one or two visits per week. For others, it's a monthly trip to Costco to stock up.

Since you're going to be at Costco anyway, it doesn't take long to do your wine shopping while you're there. Along with saving money, you'll also save time. You won't need to drive to a liquor store to get your wine. Or any other alcohol, for that matter, as Costco is also known for its spirits selection.

Considering the quality, prices, and convenience, getting your wine at Costco is well worth it. See how its prices compare to the offerings at your usual wine shop, and don't be afraid to give those Kirkland Signature bottles a try.

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