Bright Cellars is a monthly wine subscription that matches you to wine based on seven question quiz that helps to identify your wine palate.
Bright Cellars was founded by two MIT grads with a passion for wine and technology. Using your “taste palate quiz” you are given a 4-bottle recommendation to review. You can either agree with their selections and proceed to purchase, or you can switch out one or more of the bottles. Since this is my first month, I went with the recommended bottles as I was unfamiliar with the brands offered.
I love that there are options to be adventurous and that you can pick all red, all white, or a mix. I’m a white drinker – my husband a red – so I love that this one subscription can meet both of our individual needs and be flexible from month to month.
You’re asked to rate each bottle using a quick survey tool to help the algorithm become smarter and more in tune with your taste profile going forward.
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About Bright Cellars
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 bottles of wine selected based on your taste profile
Ships to: U.S. 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].
Good To Know: You can adjust your shipment frequency in your settings. An adult 21+ must be present at the time of delivery to sign for the shipment. There is an option to add a cheese pairing to your box for $48, this includes 4 cheeses ranging in size from 5-8 oz. each.
Bright Cellars Wine Of The Month August 2018 Review
Horary! It’s wine delivery day! I always love when the FedEx person hand delivers 4 delicious bottles of wine, tailored to my tastes – and I could not wait to see what Bright Cellars had in store for me this month! As a reminder, my preferences are set for the red & white mixed-choice, and this month I received 2 reds, 1 white, and 1 Rose.
There is usually a coupon included in the box. This month I received a $30 coupon for Home Chef (If you’re interested check out the Home Chef reviews).
An educational insert is also always included. This month, the theme is “Chill Out” and provides you with a few tips to quickly chill your bottle of room temperature wine!
CIRCA 33 MOSCATO 2017 (California, USA) – Retail Value $20.00
Tasting Notes: Orange Blossom, Mango, Peach, Pear, Honey
“A classic example of a California Moscato, this wine is sweet and fruity. Ripe fruit aromas of mango, peach, and pear are complemented by perfumy notes of orange blossom and honey. The sweetness found in this wine lends it to pair perfectly with spicy foods.”
I haven't bought myself a Moscato in a while, and this bottle reminded me of how much I enjoy this sweet white variety. I drank it on the patio, chilled and found it perfect for a summer evening! It was sweet enough that I had a second glass as "desert"!
BERVINI SPUMANTE ROSÉ NV (Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy) - Retail Value $17.99
Tasting Notes: Raspberry, Strawberry, Lime, Lemon, Rose
“A Northern Italian sparkling Rosé, this wine shows ripe red fruit flavors of raspberry and strawberry along with bright citrus notes of lemon and lime. Perfect for celebrations or special events, this wine is perfect for sipping as an aperitif, or pairs beautifully with a range of dishes from seafood to chicken."
A sparkling bottle is always such a treat! It makes any evening feel like a celebration. My husband, the red drinker loved this variety, but unfortunately, I found it a bit dry for my own taste preferences.
HIDEOUT ZINFANDEL 2015 (Lodi, California, USA) – Estimated Value $15
Tasting Notes: Raspberry, Strawberry, Vanilla, Black Pepper, Smoke
“A classic example of a California Zinfandel, this red is lusciously ripe and jammy, with aromas of raspberry and strawberry along with vanilla, smoke, and spicy black pepper. The perfect wine for a grill out, this Zinfandel pairs beautifully with grilled kebabs, chicken, or fish.”
My husband loved this Zin! It was very fruity, with a very forward raspberry flavor balanced by the black pepper notes. You can tell by the size of his pour how much he loved this one!
FOLK & FABLE RED BLEND 2016 (California, USA) - Estimated Value $22.00
Tasting Notes: Raspberry, Blackberry, Vanilla, Spice, Smoke
"A new vintage of our favorite California red blend shows caramelized, toasty notes with hints of warm baking spices like vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove- the result of being partially aged in Bourbon barrels for three months. Pairs best with grilled steak, burgers, or hard, aged cheeses like cheddar."
This was a lovely, rich wine tasting strongly of blackberry. It had a complex flavor, likely from being aged in a Bourbon barrel. Of the 2 reds that I received this month, this was my preference. I didn’t find it as dry as the Zin.
Verdict: The subscription cost for this box breaks down to $17 per bottle after shipping. This month I found 3 of the 4 bottles online all priced around $20 ± $2 – so I feel like you get a slight (~10%) discount when using this service. The real value is in exploring new wines and identifying new favorites. You can also buy any of the bottles offered at a flat rate of 4 bottles for $60 + $8 shipping, again keeping the cost at $17 per bottle.
The Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Because of the variation, it’s unlikely that you would get the same items that I’m showing here.
Coupon - Save 50% off your first box! No code required, just use this link!
Value Breakdown: This box cost me $60 + $8 shipping, which means that each of the 4 wines in the box has an average cost of $17.
Check out all of our Bright Cellars Reviews and find more wine subscriptions in the Wine Subscription Box Directory!
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Have you tried Bright Cellars?
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