Toasting a new wine promotion

Bottles from Laithwaites Wine are only $6 each.

Don't you hate paying $8, $9 or $10 for a glass of wine in a restaurant when you can buy an entire bottle for much less than that?

North Jersey's many BYO restaurants make dining out more affordable by allowing you to supply your own wine, and wine-club promotions deliver those bottles right to your door for a low $6 each.

I just got a delivery of 15 reds from Laithwaites Wine, using a coupon I found in the Sunday newspaper -- bordeaux, malbec, pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon and four others.

The wines come from France, Spain, Italy, Argentina, Australia and Washington State.

The promotional case from 4 Seasons Wine Club was $69.99, plus 19.99 for tax and shipping, or a total of $6 a bottle.

I'll drink to that. 

At Wine.com, I found one of the bottles -- a 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon from Charles Smith in Washington State -- for $19.99. 

You also get notes on each wine, the winemakers and the wine-making region, as well as food pairings. An Argentine malbec is described as "chocolaty, smooth."

This is the fourth wine club I've "joined," with no obligation to purchase any more cases, which invariably are sold at higher prices.

This latest promotion didn't come with bonuses of a rabbit corkscrew or carafe, which I have received in the past, but the value is excellent.

The wines are smooth and free of harsh tannins.

Of course, you can buy a bottle of wine for as little as $3 in a store, but it won't be nearly as drinkable as any of these wines.

The previous wine-club promotions I've enjoyed were sponsored by Zagat, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.

Web site: Laithwaiteswine.com