(MarketWatch)—A new middleman is emerging in the U.S. wine business, using “flash-deal,” Groupon-like tactics to connect consumers with wineries and brands at very appealing prices. One of those is New York-based Lot 18 , who is seen as the big kid on the block, having raked in $50 million from prominent venture capital firms. Another is Sonoma, Calif.-based Invino , which seeks to raise an undisclosed amount of money to support its growing business. Chicago-based Winestyr , launched in January of this year, wants to get up to $1.75 million to augment an initial June 2011 seed investment.