Everything You Need To Know Before Signing Up for a Wine Club Subscription

 

In the United States alone, 1 billion gallons of wine were consumed in 2020. That’s an impressive climb from 967 million gallons in 2019. Sparkling whites and robust reds are quintessential picks for toasts, Thanksgiving meals, and pretty much every occasion that is a cause for celebration.

 

From gifting someone special to enjoying a glass (bottle) of vino yourself, joining a wine club is about the best thing to happen since being told we had to shelter in place. SIP took on a new meaning for us. Take the time to explore our comprehensive buying guide that will help you decide what to look for when joining a wine club subscription. Cheers!  

 

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Introduction to Wine Club Subscriptions

 

Wine club subscriptions give you access to some of the country’s best wines and international varietals to elevate your drinking experience. You can choose between monthly, quarterly, or yearly subscriptions on pre-selected or self-selected wines.

 

Opting into a wine club subscription eliminates the hassle of picking up wine in person from the local store, which has limited options, and gives you access to a world of wine.

 

But, you may ask, are wine clubs worth the money? The answer to that, in short, is yes! Joining a wine club subscription has its perks, especially for those who value quality, convenience, value, and enjoy experimenting with new or international wines.

 

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Benefits of Joining a Wine Club Subscription

 

Joining a wine club is fun, easy, convenient, and saves you the time and effort of hunting for the perfect wine. Without budging from your home, you can replenish your bar or send wine to loved ones in other states or across the city. You’ll be covered from your weeknight vino to special occasions, gifting, and those I just need a bottle to myself kind of evenings.

Wine club memberships prove to be easier on the wallet since the more wine you buy, the lesser the collective cost of spending on individual bottles. In addition, members get access to the best wine club deals, limited-edition releases, award-winning varietals, free tickets to events, and even free delivery.

 

Wine club subscriptions let you expand your repertoire of wine without falling into a rut of receiving the same bottles. With 10,000 varieties of grapes around the world, why limit yourself to just the same wine? Subscribing to a wine club will keep your cellar stocked by inviting you to a world of limitless choices and intriguing blends that you won’t find at your local wine shop or grocery.

 

Between having a unique tasting profile that adapts to the reviews you leave behind and conveniently skipping a month of deliveries when you’re out of town, the benefits you get from different wine club subscriptions will leave you spoiled for choice.

 

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Gifting Made Easy

 

Got a loved one or friend who enjoys wine as much as you do? Wine club memberships make it as easy as pie to create plans for them, too. Before choosing a club, be sure that you’re aware of what kind of wine the recipient enjoys so that the perfect varietals go out to them every time.

 

Memberships for someone special can be for just a month or longer, depending on how generous you want to be. Essentially, it keeps your gift quota covered for the holidays and special occasions.

 

Gift cards are readily available and make a wonderful last-minute gift for wine lovers. There are some fantastic wine accessories at specific clubs if you’re less sure of the recipients’ palate profile.

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Deciding on the Best Type of Wine

 

Everyone has his or her own palate. That crazy cousin of yours that doesn’t like chocolate? You may like a different wine than they do, and that’s awesome. Drink a wine you enjoy, not what someone tells you is good or bad. You’re the only one with your good taste. Own it. Love it.

 

Some wine subscriptions offer fun quizzes that help identify flavors you love, identifying wines suitable for your palate. Their algorithms provide better recommendations based on wines you enjoy, making it easy to find new favorite wines.

 

That being said, there are ways you can enjoy your wine even more. Pairing wine with food is one of the most delectable ways to enjoy a glass of wine and allows you to complement both your meal and your vino. For a really nice bottle, sometimes just closing the curtains and turning on your favorite show is the best way to enjoy a wine not worth sharing.

 

Different wines call for different types of food pairings (if you’re particular about this.) For example, red wines like Dolcetto and Pinot Noir work well with earthy recipes that include spinach, mushrooms, truffles, and umami-rich concoctions.

 

When it comes to red meat dishes like beef or lamb, a robust Bordeaux-style wine or California Cabernet will do the trick. The tannins in these wines will revitalize the palate after each bite.

 

Cheese lovers will have a delightful time with dry rosé, which pairs well with most types of cheese. Light French wines like Pinot Grigio will complement the delicate flavors of seafood with a crisp finish.

 

Heavily sauced meals like spare ribs or barbecued meat with a blend of spices will require a bold choice like Côtes-du-Rhône. Dessert wines like Sherry and Port punctuate the sweetness of treats like tarts and pudding.

 

Spicy foods might require something on the sweeter side to help balance the meal. Rieslings do the trick for Indian curries, and you might even go as bold as trying a Malbec with spicy BBQ.

 

Whether you prefer rosé, red, white, sparkling, or dessert wine, enthusiasts and novices alike will benefit from joining a wine club subscription.

 

Many wine clubs provide exquisite customer service to help wine enthusiasts understand the different notes of good wine. On that note, oenophiles will find it far easier to pick a wine club that meets their refined palate’s needs.

 

Before choosing a wine club membership that works for you, it's always worthwhile to look into shipping costs and state-wise restrictions. Continue reading for more on this.

 

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Wine Wise

 

Weigh all your options before you sign up as a member of a wine club. Do they have a return policy? A money-back guarantee? A membership that you can cancel? Knowing where you stand amidst this vineyard of variables will help you choose the best wine club from the lot.

 

Educating yourself on wine will not only give you something interesting to learn about but will come in handy in the long run. While it’s a complex subject, it’s also interesting, and you’d be surprised by how much goes into creating a fantastic bottle of wine. Joining a wine club subscription service gives you such a great opportunity to continue your wine education while tasting gems from across the globe.

 

We’ve done our research, and our rankings are in. The list on the site here reflects our favorite clubs when looking at value, quality, experience, and more. We hope it guides you on your journey into the world of wine.

 

 

How Do Wine Club Subscriptions Work?

 

Finding the right wine can be challenging, especially if you are the type that buys wine without a second thought. Many are guilty of taking the word of a store’s staff who tells you the wine you’re buying is the best. As a result, while the wine may not be all that bad, it may not quite hit the right spot for you. Wine clubs, on the other hand, can help you navigate this tricky landscape.

 

With a wine club membership, you get easy access to various regions and varietals, both from the country and overseas. Online wineries play host to your expectations while you sit cozy on a couch in the comforts of your home. What better way to gift yourself or a loved one a bottle of wine?

 

Many wine club subscriptions associate themselves with a mix of local and global boutiques, specialty vineyards, and world-class wineries to meet the needs of an ever-growing, eclectic mix of consumers who may be wine lovers, curious connoisseurs, or just the average consumer looking to save a trip to the grocery store and save money at the same time.

 

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Wine Club Memberships

 

Memberships essentially work on the same principle: providing time-bound wine memberships that can easily be renewed or halted. Different plans come into play, such as basic, premium, regional, international, or signature, depending on wine preference, type, or age, and personal budget (which is good to bear in mind when looking for affordable wine clubs).

 

Some wine clubs offer unparalleled customer service and throw in added benefits like providing tasting notes with information on pairing tips and flavor profiles with every order or taking fun quizzes that provide recommendations and new bottles to try.

 

Once you explore the services offered by different wine clubs and the various plans available, you’ll be able to make a more informed decision. In addition, the extra perks that come with being a member of a wine club can make for unforgettable experiences.

 

So, which wine club is the best to join? You will find plenty of wine club subscriptions that cater to the different needs of both wine enthusiasts and seasoned wine drinkers. We work with the wineries directly to bring you the best first-time offers available. Once you set your sights on a wine club of your choice, use the links above to go to the winery to have the offer automatically applied, (unless otherwise noted) you’ll be more than glad about your decision.

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Should I Join a Wine Club Subscription?

 

If you’re a frequent wine drinker or find yourself in the company of friends who enjoy drinking wine, then joining a wine club makes sense, even more so if you are new to the world of wines. Some wine clubs allow you to return bottles and give you a refund if you’re not satisfied with a particular variety which in itself is a huge plus, given that most wines do not come cheap.

 

When you subscribe to a wine club, you know that the wine you’re buying is of top quality and sourced from trusted artisanal wineries and manufacturers. Wine clubs look out for you, and therefore pain points such as not knowing which wine pairs well with certain foods or selecting something for a picky recipient can be a thing of the past with a wine club. All of the clubs we review are trusted wineries, and we are confident in our recommendations.

 

Some wine clubs sell wine in bulk, which means better value for money deals and more savings. But, choosing high-volume memberships could mean going with less sensational wine.

 

On the flip side, specialty wine clubs partner with small-scale wineries that produce unrivaled wine in smaller batches. Thoughtfully created wine that isn’t mass-produced means you’re getting unmatched quality.

 

Joining a club doesn’t necessarily have to burn a hole in your pocket. Sticking to a budget can mean receiving decent wine at affordable prices with good customer service and a few perks. But, if quality means more to you than value, then select a higher membership plan with a wine club that includes a more refined wine listing and exclusive perks for yourself or someone you’d like to gift one to.

 

In short, the more you expect out of your membership, the more you’ll end up spending. But, this is not true for all wine clubs, so weigh your options, as mentioned, before picking a winner.

 

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How to Choose the Right Wine Club Subscription?

 

Several factors need to be taken into account before you zero in on a wine club. So, be sure to ask yourself these questions as you check out the best wine clubs:

 

1. Is the wine club transparent and straightforward?

   • Transparency is key, and a good wine club will give you detailed information when it comes to how subscription plans work, what the payment structure looks like, where the wines are being sourced from, which wines are part of the membership, how long the membership is for, shipping costs, etc. You, therefore, need to do your homework well before signing up.

2. What do the wine club reviews say about customer service?

   • No one likes poor service. Not being heard or not having your issues addressed can be frustrating, especially since you have certain expectations from a good wine club. Always look for reviews on the wine club from honest customers that date back to not long ago. Avoid old reviews since a wine club’s management can change over time. Our reviews are up to date, and we’ve tried them all to bring you our favorites.

3. Do they address shipping issues?

   • Wine clubs will require an adult aged 21 and over to sign for your shipment when you’re away. If an adult is not present to receive the package after a few attempts, it usually goes back. To have it delivered again, you may need to pay extra in some cases for wine clubs to reattempt delivery. Be sure to check on the wine club’s shipping policies on corked bottles and fees for undelivered packages. 

   • Ground shipping costs for four bottles can be as much as $50 in the U.S. However, many wine clubs offer discounted or fixed, or free shipping.

4. Are the membership plans flexible?

   • Depending on the club, members can select between monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, or annual subscriptions without hiccups. You should also be able to cancel subscriptions without running into a fixed program that lasts longer than expected or automatically renews itself. Be sure to read through the terms and conditions of any membership plan.

   • If you’re a beginner, we suggest you start with a monthly membership and fewer bottles to get a sense of the process and which wine varieties are more up your alley. Then, spend time through the year with different wine clubs that allow you to sign up for a monthly or bi-monthly plan. That way, you can decide which wine club ticks all the boxes of your checklist.

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How Does Delivery Work?

 

This is perhaps the most important question you’ll ask yourself when perusing through wine club memberships. Before you get swept up in the excitement of becoming a member, first check if the state you (or the recipient) live in allows or prohibits the shipment of wine.

 

Certain states may have certain restrictions that would be best to look into before signing up for a wine club. Licensing can vary from service to service, so shipping policies on the respective site should be able to clear any doubts you may have on the subject. In case you cannot find this information on their website, contact the retailer.

 

Here’s how standard deliveries work for wine club subscriptions:

 

• Orders are sent via FedEx, UPS, or other delivery partners. The time of delivery from when an order is placed can range from a few days to a week.

 

• Delivery fees will reflect on the payment page, so you know exactly how much you are paying and for what.

 

• Wine clubs usually offer discounted shipping rates in February, May, November, and December to make things convenient and budget-friendly for holiday shoppers.

 

 

What Makes a Great Wine Club Subscription?

 

A great wine club needs to have most of these substantial services in place: excellent customer service, some level of personalized memberships, dependable delivery management, reasonable price lists compared to retail stores, and additional feel-good perks (such as free shipping/ exclusive access/ free gifts).

 

What are the things that will keep you coming back for more? A wine club’s consistent services and benefits, of course! A good wine club must have a series of fun or interesting services that get you excited about beginning your journey as a member. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or a total novice, it’s always good to have options that are worth the time and money.

 

These are some of the options that many good wine clubs offer to new members:

 

• Vegan- and vegetarian-friendly wines without animal by-products to support an all-inclusive platform.

 

• Wine lists that aren’t limited to only red and white wines. Rosé, dessert, and sparkling wines are also thrown into the mix for variety.

 

• Subscriptions that may require you to pay more but with the opportunity to spend less when you renew membership (long-term members get to enjoy the perks of being loyalists).

 

• For connoisseurs, wine from the same region won’t challenge your palate as much as varietals from countries like Australia and Hungary. If you’re open to experimenting, a good club allows you to explore your options beyond a country’s borders.

 

• Tips, pairing suggestions, and recipes come in handy for those who want an all-around experience with not just drinking wine but also cooking with it.

 

It’s incredible how many wineries and vineyards are creating such beautiful wines with distinct character unique to their respective terroir. Their hard work and talent should be applauded, celebrated, and appreciated. What better way to give back the love that these vintners put into their vino than by becoming a wine club member?

 

Choosing a wine club subscription is fun and something you should look forward to being a part of. It’s worth trying a few out to find the one you love, as they all offer something special. We hope that this guide and unique wine club deals make it easier to find your favorite wine club subscription.

 

Cheers!