The Savvy Sippers Guide on How to Choose the Best Wine Subscription

While once upon a time getting a great bottle of wine meant heading to your local liquor store and choosing out a bottle, today, you can get creative picks sent straight to your doorstep. How, you may ask? The answer is through a wine subscription box. 

Wine subscriptions send curated bottles straight to you, typically on a monthly basis. They often come with other inclusions, such as Wags and Wine’s array of dog treats and other pooch products. But, before you go racing out to sign up for one of these services, you’ll want to know how to choose the best wine subscription. 

This guide dives into what makes a subscription service stand out, what kind of cost you're looking at, and how to find the one that suits your taste as a wine lover. And of course, we will share with you the details of the careful selection process for picking the cream of the crop. 

What Makes Up the Best Wine Subscription?

Much like our choices in our favorite dog breeds, wine preferences are deeply personal and varied. So, the best wine subscription will be the one that matches your unique taste and lifestyle. However, some universal features set great wine subscriptions apart from good ones. 

Let’s go over some of those features so that you can find a good service.

1. Quality

The ideal subscription service should provide wines that are made with attention to detail, utilizing superior ingredients and time-honored winemaking techniques. Look for clubs that offer curated or personalized monthly bottles, rather than just sending out selections willy-nilly.

2. Variety

The second criterion is variety. Your wine subscription should allow you to explore different types of wines, from full-bodied reds to crisp whites, sweet rosés, or even orange wine. You’ll also want subscriptions that feature different grape varietals so that you can experiment with different flavors that might suit your palate. 

3. Customization

Customization could be another key factor. Just as you would prefer tailored dog solutions based on your furry friend's breed, age, and temperament, your wine experience should also be personal. Subscription services that offer a personalized experience from the get-go can easily tailor wine selections based on your palate profile as determined by a quiz or personal preferences.

4. Convenience

Your wine subscription should make your life easier, not add another chore. Excellent delivery options, easy-to-use interfaces, flexible ordering, and cancellation policies add to the convenience factor. Many clubs offer a range of pricing options to suit various budgets, with a user-friendly interface and delightful wine offerings, all without burning a hole in your pocket.

5. Customer Service

Lastly, exceptional customer service enriches the experience. Whether it's helping you choose the right wine or walking you through any issues, quality customer service can enhance your wine journey. 

What’s the Average Cost of a Monthly Wine Subscription?

Much like the wide array of dog breeds, wine subscriptions vary greatly in their pricing. Typically, the price of a monthly wine subscription can range anywhere from anywhere from $35 per month to over $150. It all hinges on what you're looking for and how much of a wine devotee you are.

Let's take a real-world example, Firstleaf, a popular choice amongst wine snobs. At Firstleaf, you can order an introductory box of 6 wines for around $90, excluding delivery costs. 

Then there's a service like Naked Wines. They operate on an interesting "Angel" model where you deposit $30 per month into your account. This money can then be used to order wine whenever you please. In essence, it's a slightly different type of subscription, but it gives you more flexibility to manage your orders.

On the higher spectrum, there’s WeDrinkBubbles, a subscription that will run you $120 a month for just 3 bottles of wine! Plus, it doesn’t include additional goods, such as the dog treats and toys included with Wags and Wine. 

As you choose a subscription, don’t forget to think about shipping costs as well. Some services include this in the final monthly price while others require you to pay it separately. And, some services may have additional fees to be aware of.

Even with this in mind, remember that price isn't everything. It's easy to get lured into a cheap subscription service only to find out the wines are not to your liking. Much like selecting the correct food for your dog, you should choose your wine subscription based on your unique palate and preferences. So, don't let the cost alone sway you. It's equally important to consider the passion, knowledge and thought behind the wine curation and the overall user experience.

How to Find the Right Wine Subscription for You

Just as you should know your dog’s unique characteristics, preferences, and behaviors to better understand their needs, navigating your way to find the perfect wine subscription that meets your personal preferences is equally important. Here’s how to go about finding a good wine subscription.

Consider Your Preferences

Are you adventurous and willing to try different types and origins of wine? Or are you like a Labrador Retriever, loyal to your favorites? Maybe you’re a Chardonnay enthusiast or a Pinot Jester at heart, or perhaps you have a zest for discovering offbeat wines from around the world. Each of us has our own preferences, and a worthy subscription service should be able to cater to these effectively. 

For instance, if you are a die-hard fan of Italian wine, a service like the Roscioli Italian Wine Club would be an excellent match. However, if you're game for a mix of international wines, you might want to consider Firstleaf or Cellars Wine Club. 

Pay Attention to Reviews

Customers who have already tried the service can give valuable insights into other customers' experiences and a glimpse into what to expect. Reading them provides enlightening clues about the service's reliability, delivery punctuality, and responsiveness to issues, much like how observing a pup at play gives us hints about its nature!

Find Flexibility

Just like how we appreciate a dog who adapts well to apartment living or doesn’t mind missing a day at the park when the weather doesn’t cooperate, a subscription service that fits our rhythm of life is exactly what you need. Some months, you might not need a delivery, or maybe you’d prefer a quarterly box of reds for winter instead of summer’s bi-weekly rosés delivery. Look for a service that caters to such needs, with options to skip a month or change the delivery frequency. 

Look for Variety

Another consideration is how many different types of wine each subscription offers. Some subscriptions have almost limitless picks while others, such as Winc, only have a select few bottles to choose from. Think about how much variety you want as you choose a subscription.

Get Started With a Wine Subscription

Finding the perfect wine subscription can genuinely transform your wine-enjoying experience from casual sips to an exciting journey of discovery. It acts as a gateway to a wine lover’s heaven, where exquisite tastes meet convenience, and your desired bottle arrives at your doorstep just when you crave it. 

As you look for a subscription, it all comes down to what suits your personal preference the most. Just like you select your adorable pup's favorite chew toys, choose your wine subscription. Whether you're a fan of robust reds or crisp whites, there's a curated experience waiting for you.