Winc (formerly known as Club W) is a wine subscription box that re-imagines the traditional wine club. Winc offers a regularly changing selection of unique, small production wines that are sourced directly from vineyards and winemakers.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About Winc
The Subscription Box: Winc
The Cost: Bottles start at $13 each. (Shipping is free on orders of 4 or more bottles.)
The Products: Small-lot wines sourced directly from vineyards and wine makers.
Ships to: All US states EXCEPT AK, AL, AR, DE, HI, KY, MS, OK, PA, RI, DS, and UT
Winc June 2018 Review
When you sign up to join Winc, you take a short, fun “palate profile” quiz that helps determine your taste in wine. Based on your answers, Winc makes bottle recommendations for you every month. You can go along with their recommendations or choose your own bottles from their regularly changing selection (or skip the month completely).
The bottles come shipped in an upright cardboard box (complete with a handle!) that has formed pieces to secure them in place. This also helps keep the bottles from bumping into one another during shipping.
Sitting on top of the box is an envelope of promotions and info.
There's a coupon for a massage service...
... a card about Santa Barbara County wines...
... a sample from the Sugarfina x Winc collaboration...
... an Anthropologie coupon...
... and information about how to coordinate your deliveries.
Okay, let's try some wine, shall we?
2017 Pacificana California Chardonnay - Retail Value $17.00 (Found here for $14.00)
I've been falling harder and harder for white wines lately. Not surprisingly, I'm swooning for this beautifully buttery Chardonnay. It's weird to think of wine as vanilla-y, but it really does have that creme brulee smoothness and creamy sweetness. I also think it's cool how this wine is vegan and eco-friendly, too. Here's what the product page says about the label's eco-conscious practices:
A happy planet produces great wine. That's why we teamed up with 1% for the Planet — an international organization that supports a network of eco-conscious businesses committed to donating one percent of their sales toward environmental causes. As a member, 1% of all our Pacificana® sales go toward benefiting and preserving the environment.
2017 Akoya Viognier - Retail Value $20.99 (Found here for $16.00)
I have no clue how to pronounce the name of this wine, but I'm more than happy to drink it! While I didn't love it as much as the desserty Chardonnay, this white wine did intrigue me with its bright, flowery flavor. It has a lightness that the previous white wine lacked, meaning I could more easily see myself turning to it at the close of a hot summer day. It's apparently inspired by Japanese pearl divers and pairs well with sushi and other Asian cuisines.
2017 The Bluffer Paso Robles Valdiguie - Retail Value $18.99 (Found here for $15.00)
This is another wine that I'm not sure how to pronounce, hehe. The rich, somewhat tart berry flavors of this wine were a tiny bit overwhelming after all the creamy and crisp flavors and light finishes of the white wines. The product page describes it as "punchy", which I think is accurate. I could see offering this to someone who isn't super into wines since the flavor is less elusive or complex. It's very fruit forward and friendly, rather than out of the ordinary.
2016 Tempo Vero Negroamaro - Retail Value $17.99 (Found here for $14.00)
The last wine in the box is also a red. This one is more of what I'd expect from a red wine—it's a little richer and earthier, with that dark-chocolate-like bitterness tempering its jammy sweetness. It's a little heavy for sipping on a hot summer afternoon, but it'd be perfect with some burgers or other grilled goodies once the sun goes down!
Verdict: One thing I love about this service is how it helps expose me to all different kinds of wines. The only type of wine I was really familiar with before was Chardonnay—all of the other names and flavors were pretty new. Even if I didn't totally love every wine in the box, there's something really fun about trying different wines this way. I kind of feel like an Iron Chef judge every time I open a new bottle. It's also a really fun way to strike up dinner party conversation, putting all of these wines on the table for people to taste and compare!
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Since Winc allows you to choose your wine, you can get any combination you'd like any month. Sign up today and you're welcome to curate your own or let them choose.
Coupon – Save $20 off your first order! No coupon is required, just use this link.
Value Breakdown: This box cost $59.00 for four full bottles of wine but had a retail value of $74.96 inside.
Check out all of our Winc (Club W) reviews or visit the Drink Subscription Box Directory for more boozy boxes!
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
Do you have a favorite Winc wine?
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