There are dozens of wine clubs available today that make it easier than ever to try a wide variety of wines. Some are relatively inexpensive while others can be pricey. For the most part, joining a wine club is a positive thing that allows you to replenish your cellar (or drinking supply) with wines that you will enjoy. If you are thinking about joining a wine club, here are a few pointers to keep in mind:
- Make sure you review all the fine print. Some clubs have steep shipping costs while others don’t allow you to cancel at any time. You also want to be sure you know what the return policy is in case you get a bad bottle or two. It happens!
- Calculate the cost benefit to you. Before you sign up, make sure you aren’t going to be paying way more for your wine than you otherwise would. It’s helpful to track your wine expenses for a few months to get a sense of what you normally spend, then find a club that is comparable to that investment. You might be pleasantly surprised to see that a monthly wine club fee really isn’t all that exorbitant when you consider your normal spending habits.
- Review the wine club offerings. It’s important to make sure the club you are joining has wine that you will enjoy drinking. The best clubs offer all kinds of wines – red, white, blush, sparkling and port. There are even some wine clubs that will attempt to discern your own taste profile and match selections to that preference.
- Check the reviews. Anything on the internet these days has a review available. Do your research and make sure the club is highly recommended among wine drinkers.
Two clubs I recommend are WSJWine and Tasting Room from Lot 18. Both offer a wide variety of wines and allow you to go month to month for your membership. The latter requires you to complete a tasting profile, as well. But don’t be limited by my recommendations. There are dozens more and even hundreds, if you join a specific winery’s club.
Happy drinking!
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