Top 10 Best Wine Subscriptions in 2021 (Winc, Vinebox, and More)

After looking through numerous sites and reviews, here's a list of the top 10 wine subscriptions that we think are worth trying. Whether you prefer a particular region, type of wine, shipment flexibility, or varying bottle quantities, there's bound to be a subscription that meets your needs.

A quick look online shows a lot of wine clubs claiming to be the best. The buying guide below will help you figure out which one is actually the best for you! From streamlining your preferences to considering the specific membership perks, you'll be able to find a subscription that caters to your requirements. 

Each wine club has a focus or specialty. Some offer liquor store favorites, while others will have a lineup of wines that you’ve never heard of.  If you’re new to the wine types, here’s a quick rundown on the primary groups. 

Red wine is made from dark-skinned or black grapes, giving you that deep purple-red hue. It also has tannins, a compound that makes plants’ seeds or fruits unpalatable for predators. The tannins cause the astringent, drying, or bitter taste of red wine. It is the structure of red wine that directly affects its age-ability.

You can get red wine in a wide variety of flavors, depending on the grapes. Cabernet Sauvignon, for example, tastes like licorice, while Pinot Noir gives you a cherry flavor. 

These notes aren’t added to the wine but are derived during the fermentation process and contact between the grape and the skin. You can pair red wine with pork, beef, cheese, and chocolate.

White wine is generally made with white grapes, although some manufacturers use sweeter black grapes without their skin. Even though white wine also has a wide range of flavors, its main difference from red wine is its light and fruity undertone.

White wine typically has very little or no tannins, meaning you don’t get that acidic, bitter kick like red wine. Instead, it has a higher sugar and carbohydrate content. This means they pair well with poultry, pork, fish, and fruits.

While they don’t contain heart-healthy antioxidants like red wine, white wine has been said to cause fewer side effects like headaches, migraines, or allergic reactions to tannins. Some of the most common white wine varieties include Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and Sauvignon Blanc.

In between red and white wine, you have pink or rosé wine. The light pink color is due to the quick contact between the grape and its skin. Rosé wine usually has a fruity and flowery flavor with a hint of celery, rhubarb, or greens.

Rosé is not as acidic or heavy as red wine and not as sweet as white wine. It can be paired with light salads, pasta, or rice dishes.

By double fermenting red, white, or rosé wine, you can get bubbles! From Champagne to Prosecco, sparkling wine varies from dry to very sweet. You can also get sparkling wine that is zesty, nutty, creamy, or citrusy. The notes depend on the wine maker's process and, of course, your preferences.

The extra carbon dioxide in the wine gives you that soda-like fizz while keeping the wine's sophisticated flavor.

If you’re after the alcohol content in your drinks, then perhaps dessert wine would be best. It’s basically red, white, rosé, or sparkling wines with added sugar and alcohol. 

Winemakers process these wines the same way but add sugar before or after fermentation, add alcohol - usually brandy - and remove excess water to concentrate the sugar. These fortified wines can have an alcohol content of about 17 to 20 percent or taste extra sweet, much like a dessert!

Anyone can claim to ferment great wine, but it should pass a strict standard among experts or sommeliers. A particular club's wine selection process is crucial to ensure you receive quality bottles during your subscription. 

Whether you are new to wine or already a wine enthusiast, the club’s selection process is an important aspect that ensures the quality of the beverages they offer. 

Wine club websites are often transparent about their selection process, listing their panels of sommeliers and experts who test and rate the wines. Some even offer a numerical rating to each wine to make it easier for you to choose.

If you’re looking at trying a new wine, we recommend taking the extra step of checking in with Robert Parker, arguably the world’s most trusted authority in wine. An approval from the club’s sommeliers and Robert Parker gives you double assurance on what you’re getting.

Also, check to see if the website has an archive where past selections are on display. From there, you can gauge the quality and standard of the wine club.

You can also choose a wine club based on where their selection is sourced from. Some clubs specialize in European wines, while others focus on the Central American region. This is particularly important if you have an existing preference regarding the location of your wine.

High-end wine clubs offer the world's best, so you get access to some of the rarest selections from wineries that aren't commercialized. Reading about the source of your wine is a great way to discover more about each bottle's history. The history is an equally crucial aspect of wine drinking that accompanies its taste.

The five top wine regions are Italy, France, the USA, Chile, and Australia. France produces the most wine, including household staples like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay. They are masters of reds and whites and, of course, Champagne. 

Italy produces traditional or old world wine. You can get sweet dessert wine, sparkling wine, or Prosecco on top of the classic reds and whites. Meanwhile, California is considered the wine capital of the USA. Here you can get a variety of grapes such as Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, and Chardonnay. 

Chile, having weather that's a mix of France and the Pacific coast, produces excellent Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. In Australia, the Margarent river produces premium quality Cabernet Sauvignon grapes for Bordeaux red wine. 

When choosing a particular subscription, it’s all about customization and flexibility. We recommend going for one that can most, if not all, of your demands. After all, a good wine club should extend top-notch customer service and benefits to its valued members. 

Wine clubs usually offer subscriptions on a monthly basis, with shipments being sent every month, two months, or three months. 

The decision is solely based on your requirements, whether you need 12 bottles sent every three months or a smaller quantity every month. A typical monthly subscription usually has three bottles for less than 100 dollars.

Being able to choose what goes in the shipment is another important consideration. Some wine clubs have a pre-set selection for their subscriptions, like a three-bottle set of all whites or all reds. Meanwhile, others will give you more leeway to customize what goes in your order.

The quantity of wine delivered is also important to consider. If you will be hosting a house party, then, by all means, a bottle or two is advised. 

However, if you're unlikely to finish a whole bottle, alternative quantities would be better. Some wine clubs offer their selections by the pint, glass, or even test tubes! These options also allow you to pick out favorites without investing in a whole bottle. 

Wine clubs offer a wide variety of membership perks to keep their clients satisfied. Benefits include free delivery, invitations to members-only events, virtual tastings, free taste packages, or shipments bundled with accessories and glasses.

Most wine clubs also have newsletters that are sent to members. These contain information on each bottle, the winery history, recipes, and wine pairings. You can also choose wine clubs that offer loyalty rewards, such as discounts on future shipments or a point-based rewards system.

Free cancellation or wine replacements are also worth looking at since there may be times when you disliked their selection. Some clubs will even replace bottles you're unhappy with for free.

Once you pick out your favorites, reordering specific bottles is usually tricky due to the season, changing liquor laws, or distribution issues. Check to see if a wine club offers the same wines on future orders; some even offer discounts if you reorder a bottle. 

Are you looking to build your home bar? Here are a few essentials to consider, especially if you want to make your wine subscription into a wine experience. 

The opportunity to wind down or celebrate over a glass of wine has never been so convenient. Plus, you no longer need to schedule trips to the store, and you also have access to some of the world's best wineries. It's definitely a win-win!

Just make sure to pick a subscription that includes the types and quantities of wine that will meet your needs. It helps to look for extra perks and customization options, too! 

Author: Hana Otsuka

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