Bright Cellars is a monthly wine subscription that sends wine paired to your tastes.
Bright Cellars was founded by two MIT grads with a passion for wine and technology, and they approach wine a little differently than most wine clubs.
When you sign up for a membership, you take a “taste palate quiz” to determine your unique taste profile.
Your monthly wines are selected using a proprietary algorithm that “scores each wine by comparing 18 attributes to your preferences, matching you with your monthly experience.” You can choose the ratio of red to white you receive in each box by adjusting your preferences online.
If you’re ever sent a bottle you don’t love, the Bright Cellars Wine Concierge will help you select a free replacement bottle that will ship with your next box.
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
The Subscription Box: Bright Cellars
The Cost: $60 + $8 shipping
ACTIVE DEAL: Get $50 off your first month! No coupon needed - just use this link.
The Products: 4 wines picked to match your unique taste profile.
Ships to: US states where it is legal to receive wine by mail. If you’re uncertain whether you can receive wine shipments, contact the Bright Cellars Wine Concierge at [email protected].
Check out all of our Bright Cellars Reviews and find more wine subscriptions in the Wine Subscription Box Directory!
Keep track of your subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription box list or wishlist!
This Bright Cellars shipment contained a “Worlds of Wine” print that compares the characteristics of old world and new world wines.
2014 Kon Tiki Sauvignon Blanc - Value $8.99
Sauvignon Blanc is one of my favorite go-to wines, and this one is pretty good. It’s crisp, citrusy, a little tart, and it has a flavor that reminds me of granny smith apples and lemon. It’s very nice.
2016 Pana Chardonnay
I received this bottle in my last shipment, and I wasn’t a big fan of it, so I’m not exactly thrilled to see it again in this box. I’m really picky about Chardonnay, and unfortunately, this one embodies the characteristics that make me steer clear. It’s oaky and buttery. (I prefer crisp Chardonnays that are aged in stainless steel, not oak.) I’m sure this wine would be a home run for lovers of creamy, oaky Chardonnay, but it’s a miss for me. It’s also not the first time I’ve seen repeat brands and bottles in Bright Cellars. It makes me wonder if maybe they have a fairly limited bottle portfolio.
2015 Blue Towers Sauvignon Blanc
As a lover of Sauvignon Blanc, I was really excited to see two bottles in this shipment. Unfortunately, though, I’m not really a fan of this one. It’s okay, but it’s a little thin and lacks the zippy acidity I associate with Sauvignon Blanc. I’ll drink this bottle, but I won’t seek it out again.
2014 Laberinto Malbec - Value $11.99
The last bottle I received in this shipment is a Malbec from Mendoza. I’ve had a rocky history with reds from Bright Cellars, but this one is pretty great. (I actually think it might be the best bottle of red wine I’ve received from Bright Cellars!) The flavor is light and juicy, with a flavor that reminds me of red berries and mixed berry jam. I’m a fan!
Verdict: This Bright Cellars box was a little hit and miss for me. I wasn’t a big fan of the Blue Towers Sauvignon Blanc or the Pana Chardonnay, but both were drinkable. The Malbec and Kon Tiki, however, were both tasty. The subscription cost for this box breaks down to $17 per bottle, which I think if fair. It’s a bit more than I’d pay for everyday wine at the store, but I feel okay about the price knowing that Bright Cellars guarantees that I’ll like what I receive.
Have you tried Bright Cellars?
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