If you’re a bit of a wine lover, 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 can seem as murky as a rich Shiraz. However, it’s easier than ever to understand it. Join a club.
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 unfolds from grape to bottle. But each wine club has its own strengths. By knowing what each one offers, you can choose the best subscription service for your needs.
Our Top10 Best Wine Clubs
1.Firstleaf
- Best for discovering new favorite wines.
- Prices start at $6.65 per bottle.
- Ships to 47 states in the US.
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 six bottles specially selected for you and your palate. The selection includes the best red and white wines from Italy, California, Spain, and more, including 100-point and gold-medal wines.
Pros
- Taste to your taste buds
- Award-winning wines
- Featured in Paste and Thrillist
Cons
- Additional shipping costs
- Shipping restrictions may apply
2.Naked
Best for discovering unique, small-batch wines
Prices start at $9.99 per bottle
Ships to 43 states in the US
Naked Wines allows you to expand your palate by offering a variety of wines made by lesser-known winemakers. You can buy from their selection of red and white wines without the need for a membership. However, by becoming an Angel member, you can purchase wines at discounted prices 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 small wineries. While the savings aren’t always that great, you’ll find a wide range of delicious wines at affordable prices. Free shipping and well-organized shipping notifications make this service very convenient.
Pros
- A unique selection of wines at a good price.
- The business model allows them to help small winemakers market their wines.
- 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Cons
- Advertised discounts may not be accurate.
- Popular wines tend to sell out quickly.
3.Bright Cellars
Best for expanding your palate.
Price: $20 per bottle.
Ships Nationwide.
Bright Cellars’ experts scour the globe for quality artisanal wines, then carefully select bottles for their members based on their tastes. Subscription plans are simple and the process is straightforward. After signing up, you’ll be sent a 7-question questionnaire about your taste preferences, which will create your taste profile.
You’ll then be shown a sample wine list curated for you, which you can edit to suit your tastes. From there, you’ll receive 4 bottles of boutique wines and hidden gems each month. Bright Cellars has a low commitment rate and allows you to cancel orders at any time.
Pros
- A global selection of wines from small wineries.
- Each bottle is carefully selected for you.
- Cancel anytime.
Cons
- Limited membership options.
- No a la carte purchases.
How Do Wine Club Services Work?
Wine clubs are typically run by companies that source wines from wineries around the world or purchase wine and bottle it under their own label.
Customers sign up for a plan (usually monthly, but quarterly plans and other arrangements are also available) and are typically asked about their wine preferences or answer a series of questions to determine their taste and what types of wine they like. The club will select wines for members or allow them to choose from a selection of wines selected or produced by the club.
Most wine clubs allow you to choose whether you want red, white, or a blend, and whether you want sparkling wines. Some also allow you to purchase wine-related accessories and gifts. Wine clubs typically send two to four 750 ml bottles per shipment, but some allow you to order many more.
Many wine clubs also send product information sheets with the shipment, as well as wine pairing recipes.
How Much Does it Cost?
You can find 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 a basic or premium wine plan, the latter of which is a significantly higher price per bottle. Others, like Firstleaf, keep prices affordable, starting at $79.95 for 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 2 bottles per month ranging from $40.45 to $231.00 and a single bottle ranging from $8 to $135.
Finally, with many wine clubs, you can also expect to pay a shipping fee for each order, 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 in what quantities. Once you’ve decided this, you need to think about why you want to receive wine on a regular basis. Maybe you just want good, affordable wine delivered regularly. If so, look for an affordable club option that suits your taste. If you want to use a wine club to learn more about wine, look for one that offers a wide variety of wines from different regions of the world.
The advantage of each of the clubs mentioned lies in the extraordinary convenience they offer. Without even thinking about it and without wasting time browsing the wine shelves of crowded 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 their wine in bulk from wineries or by producing it themselves, cutting out the middlemen who drive up the price.
Above all, though, there’s a sense of fun and discovery that accompanies every case of wine delivered straight to your door. And we could all use some happy discoveries these days.
