GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE Effective Date: SEPTEMBER 29, 2025
1. Purpose and Scope These General Terms and Conditions of Sale (the “GTCS”) govern the sale of French wine products and/or services (collectively, “Products”) by Selection Sommelier (“we”, “us”, or “our”) to any customer (“you” or “Customer”) through our website sommeliersecret.com. The GTCS apply to all orders and purchases made via our Site, and they form the contract between you and Selection Sommelier for such transactions. By placing an order on our Site, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these GTCS. If you do not agree with any part of these terms, please do not place an order.
2. Company Information Sales of Products via the Site are made by Selection Sommelier, a company registered under the laws of France. Our contact information is: Email: info@sommeliersecret.com Phone: +1 (409) 941-7254 WhatsApp: +1 (409) 941-7254 WeChat: Marco3866
French Office: Selection Sommelier 27 rue de la ronzy 38640 Claix France
3. Product Information We make every effort to present the wine Products on our Site accurately and in compliance with legal requirements. This includes providing detailed descriptions, specifications, and images to help you understand the Product’s essential characteristics. Availability: Products offered on our Site are subject to availability. We indicate on the product page whether an item is in stock, out of stock, or available on backorder. In the unlikely event that a Product becomes unavailable after you place an order, we will inform you as soon as possible and offer alternatives or a full refund. Pricing: The prices of Products are indicated on the Site in USD. As Products are intended for export from France, all prices are quoted “Hors Taxe” (Ex-VAT) and do not include French VAT. Prices also do not include any applicable US state or local sales taxes (see Article 6.4). Shipping fees start at $40 USD and will be clearly displayed before you finalize your order. We reserve the right to modify our prices at any time, but the price applicable to your purchase will be the price shown at the time you placed your order. Product Images and Descriptions: We strive to ensure that wine product descriptions, images, and specifications are accurate and reflect the actual product. However, please note that minor differences (especially vintage years or label designs) might occur due to stock rotation or producer updates. Age Verification: All wine products sold through our Site are intended for customers who are of legal drinking age (21 years or older in the United States, 18 years or older in France, and the legal drinking age in your jurisdiction). By purchasing wine products, you confirm that you are of legal drinking age.
4. Order Process To purchase a Product, you must follow the steps of our online order process: Product Selection: Browse our wine catalog and select the Product(s) you wish to purchase by adding them to your shopping cart. Customer Information: Provide accurate information including name, billing and shipping address, email, and age verification. Shipping and Billing: Choose from available delivery options. Shipping costs start at $40 USD and will be calculated based on your location and shipping method chosen. Order Summary and Verification: Review your order summary carefully, including wine selections, quantities, prices, and shipping fees. Age Verification: Confirm that you are of legal drinking age in your jurisdiction. Placing the Order: Click to confirm your order, creating a binding purchase agreement. Order Confirmation: You will receive an email confirmation with your order details and tracking information when available.
5. Payment All orders must be paid in full in USD. We offer various secure payment methods including credit/debit cards and electronic payment methods. Payment is processed at the time of order placement through secure third-party processors that comply with industry security standards.
6. Delivery We arrange delivery of wine Products to the address you provide during checkout. Please note that wine deliveries may have special requirements based on local laws. Shipping Methods and Timing: We offer several shipping options with estimated delivery times. Shipping costs start at $40 USD. Orders are usually processed within 2-3 business days after payment confirmation. Age Verification at Delivery: Someone 21 years or older (or the legal drinking age in your jurisdiction) must be present to receive wine deliveries. A signature and ID verification may be required. International Shipping – Duties and Tariffs Paid: We handle all customs formalities for international shipments. As part of our service, we pay all federal charges on your behalf, including US customs duties, import tariffs (such as current tariffs on French wine), and federal excise duties. You will not be billed for these federal charges upon delivery. However, the Customer remains solely responsible for any and all applicable state and local taxes (such as sales tax) levied by your jurisdiction. These state and local taxes are not included in the purchase price and may be collected at checkout or billed separately by state authorities, if applicable. Special Delivery Considerations: Wine is a perishable product that can be affected by temperature extremes. We package wine carefully and recommend avoiding delivery during extreme weather conditions when possible.
7. Transfer of Risk and Title Risk of loss or damage to wine Products passes to you when you (or someone 21+ on your behalf) takes physical possession of the Products. Ownership transfers when we receive full payment and the Products are delivered to you.
8. Right of Withdrawal (Cancellation) – EU Consumers If you are a consumer residing in the European Union, you generally have the right to withdraw from your online wine purchase within 14 days of delivery. However, please note that opened wine bottles cannot be returned for hygiene and safety reasons unless they are defective. Unopened wine may be returned in original condition within the withdrawal period.
9. Returns and Refunds Damaged or Defective Products: If you receive wine that is damaged in transit or appears defective (such as cork taint or other wine faults), please notify us immediately. We will arrange for return or replacement at our expense. Unopened Returns: Unopened wine bottles in original condition may be returned within 30 days of purchase, subject to restocking fees and return shipping costs. Opened Wine: For hygiene and safety reasons, opened wine bottles cannot be returned unless they are defective (such as cork taint, oxidation, or other wine faults). If you believe you received a defective wine, please contact us within 48 hours of opening with a description of the issue.
10. Legal Guarantee and Warranties We want you to have confidence in our wine Products. As a consumer, you benefit from legal guarantees under applicable law. Legal Guarantee of Conformity: Wine products come with a legal guarantee that they conform to the contract. This means the wine should be as described, fit for consumption, and of satisfactory quality. In the EU, consumers have a legal guarantee of conformity for a minimum of 2 years from delivery. Wine Quality Guarantee: We stand behind the quality of our wines. If you receive wine that has quality defects (such as cork taint, premature oxidation, or other wine faults), we will replace it or provide a refund. Storage and Aging: Please note that wine is a living product that can change over time. Proper storage conditions are essential for maintaining wine quality. We are not responsible for wine deterioration due to improper storage after delivery.
11. Liability Wine-Specific Considerations: Wine is an alcoholic beverage and should be consumed responsibly. We are not liable for any consequences of alcohol consumption or misuse of our products. Temperature Sensitivity: Wine is sensitive to temperature extremes. While we package wine carefully for shipping, we cannot guarantee against temperature damage during extended transit or delivery delays beyond our control. Vintage Changes: Wine vintages may change based on availability. We will notify you of any vintage substitutions before shipping. Limitation of Liability: Our maximum liability for any claim arising from a wine purchase shall be limited to the total amount paid for the specific wine product(s) in question, except where mandatory law dictates otherwise.
12. Force Majeure We are not responsible for delays or inability to fulfill wine orders due to events beyond our control, including natural disasters, transportation strikes, customs delays, or other force majeure events that may affect wine production, shipping, or delivery.
13. Customer Service and Complaints Our goal is to ensure you are satisfied with your wine purchase and service. If you have any questions, concerns, or complaints about our wine Products or your transaction, please contact us: Email: info@sommeliersecret.com Phone: +1 (409) 941-7254 WhatsApp: +1 (409) 941-7254 WeChat: Marco3866 We strive to acknowledge all customer inquiries within 24-48 hours and provide resolution within a reasonable timeframe. Wine-related issues (such as quality defects) will be prioritized for immediate attention.
14. Dispute Resolution While we hope to resolve any disagreements amicably through our customer service, if a dispute arises between you and Selection Sommelier relating to a wine purchase and we cannot resolve it internally, the following provisions apply: Governing Law and Jurisdiction: The contract of sale is governed by the law of France. Mediation: For consumers in applicable regions, we will consider mediation requests to resolve disputes amicably before pursuing legal action.
15. Alcohol-Related Legal Compliance Legal Drinking Age: By purchasing wine from us, you confirm that you are of legal drinking age in your jurisdiction (21+ in the USA, 18+ in France, or the legal drinking age in your location). Local Laws: You are responsible for ensuring that wine purchases and consumption comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws in your jurisdiction. Shipping Restrictions: We may be unable to ship wine to certain locations due to local alcohol shipping restrictions. We will inform you if we cannot ship to your address.
16. Miscellaneous Wine Storage Recommendations: We recommend storing wine in a cool, dark place at consistent temperatures (55-65°F/13-18°C) to maintain quality. Entire Agreement: These GTCS, along with your order confirmation and referenced documents, constitute the entire agreement between you and us regarding your wine purchase. Severability: If any provision of these GTCS is held invalid, the remainder shall remain in full force and effect. Wine Education: We may provide wine education content and recommendations, but these are for informational purposes only and do not constitute professional wine advice.
17. Contact Information If you have any questions or need assistance regarding these General Terms and Conditions of Sale, or any wine order you have placed, please contact us: Email: info@sommeliersecret.com Phone: +1 (409) 941-7254 WhatsApp: +1 (409) 941-7254 WeChat: Marco3866 French Office: Selection Sommelier 27 rue de la ronzy 38640 Claix France We value your business and will do our utmost to ensure you have a positive experience with our wine selection and service. Thank you for reading these terms. By making a purchase, you confirm that you agree to these General Terms and Conditions of Sale and that you are of legal drinking age. We appreciate your trust in Selection Sommelier and look forward to serving you exceptional wines. Important Note on Responsible Consumption: Please enjoy our wines responsibly. If you are pregnant, nursing, or have health conditions that contraindicate alcohol consumption, please consult with your healthcare provider. Never drink and drive.