If you’re new to the world of wine, it can be hard to know which wines to try, which bottle to buy for each occasion, and how to tell if what you’re buying is good or not. The world of wine lovers can seem as intimidating as a strong Shiraz. However, it’s easier than ever to understand.
Joining a wine club is a great way to receive carefully selected wines each month that will help you discover which wines you love, which recipes and dishes they pair well with, and how the whole symphony of aromas and flavors flows from the grape to your bottle. But each wine club has its own advantages. By knowing what each one offers, you’ll be able to choose the best subscription service to suit your needs.
Our Top10 Best Wine Clubs
1.Firstleaf
- Perfect for: Discovering new favorite wines
- Wine. Starting at $6.65 per bottle
- Ships to: 47 U.S. states
Firstleaf’s unique wine tasting algorithm uses your feedback to create an ever-evolving flavor profile that predicts the perfect pairings for your palate.
Each month, you’ll receive a six-bottle delivery, specially selected for you and your taste buds. The selection includes the best red and white wines from Italy, California, Spain, and more, including 100-point and gold-medal winning wines.
Pros
- Customizable to your taste
- Award-winning wines
- Featured on Paste and Thrillist
Cons
- Additional shipping costs
- Shipping restrictions may apply
2.Naked
- Great for discovering unique, limited-edition wines
- Prices start at $9.99 per bottle
- Ships to: 43 states
Naked Wines lets you expand your palate with a variety of wines from lesser-known wineries. Customers can purchase red and white wines without a membership. However, by becoming an Angel member, you can purchase wines at a discount and schedule monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly deliveries.
Naked Wines claims to offer its wines at up to 60% off, allowing you to buy directly from smaller wineries. While the savings aren’t always that great, you’ll find plenty of delicious wine options at affordable prices. Free shipping and well-organized shipping notifications make this service very convenient.
Pros
- A unique selection of wines at great prices.
- The business model allows you to help small winemakers market their wines.
- 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Cons
- Advertised discounts may not be accurate.
- The most popular wines tend to sell out quickly.
3.Bright Cellars
- Perfect for Expanding Your Palate
- Price: $20 per bottle
- Ships Nationwide
Bright Cellars’ experts travel the world to source artisanal wines from small wineries and carefully select bottles for their members based on their tastes. Subscription plans are simple, as is the process. When you sign up, you’ll be asked to fill out a 7-question questionnaire about your taste preferences, which will create your tasting profile.
You’ll then see a sample list of wines selected for you, which you can edit to suit your taste. From there, you’ll receive 4 bottles of wine each month from boutique wineries and hidden gems. Bright Cellars offers a minimal commitment and allows you to cancel orders anytime.
Pros
- A global selection of wines from small wineries.
- Each bottle is carefully selected for you.
- Cancel anytime.
Cons
- Limited membership options.
- Wines cannot be ordered à la carte.
How Do Wine Club Services Work?
Wine clubs are typically run by companies that source wine from wineries around the world or purchase wine and bottle it under their own brand.
Members subscribe to a program (usually monthly, although there are also quarterly programs and other options) and are typically asked about their wine preferences or answer a series of questions to determine their taste and favorite type of wine. The club selects wines for its members or allows them to choose from a selection of wines selected or produced by the club.
Most wine clubs allow you to choose between red, white, or blended wines, as well as sparkling wines. Some also allow you to purchase wine-related accessories and gifts. Wine clubs typically ship 2 to 4 750ml bottles per shipment, but some allow you to order many more.
Many wine clubs also include information sheets with your order, as well as wine pairing recipes.
How Much Does it Cost?
You can expect a wide range of prices for club memberships, depending on the club you join and the quality of the wine. Most companies allow you to subscribe to basic or premium plans, the latter with a significantly higher price per bottle. Others, like Firstleaf, keep prices affordable, starting at $79.95 for a set of 6 bottles, or just over $13 per bottle. Companies like Naked Wines have a wider price range, with wines ranging from $9 to $39.99 per bottle. California Club goes even further, with monthly subscriptions for 2 bottles ranging from $40.45 to $231.00, and for individual bottles from $8 to $135.
Finally, many wine clubs also charge a delivery fee for each order, which is usually around $10 or less.
How to Choose the Right Club For You
The first step in choosing a wine club is to decide how much you want to pay for wine, how often you want to receive it, and how much you want to receive. Once you’ve decided that, you need to think about why you want regular wine deliveries. Maybe you just want to have good, affordable wines delivered to your home on a regular basis. In that case, look for an affordable club option that suits your taste. If you want to learn more about wine from a wine club, look for one that offers a wide variety of wines from different regions of the world.
The advantage of each of the clubs mentioned above is the extraordinary convenience they offer. Without even thinking about it and without wasting time searching through the wine shelves of supermarkets and stores, wines that match your preferences regularly appear at your doorstep.
Another great advantage of joining a club is the savings. Each club on this list can offer its members great value and savings by purchasing a particular wine wholesale directly from wineries, or by producing it themselves and cutting out the middlemen who drive up the price. But what I love most about it is the pleasure and discovery that comes with receiving each case of wine at home. And these days, we all need a few pleasant surprises.
