Winc is a wine subscription box that re-imagines the traditional wine club by offering a regularly changing selection of unique, small production wines that are sourced directly from vineyards and winemakers.
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First Impressions
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Winc shipments are delivered in a durable cardboard box complete with molded separators to keep the bottles safe and sound in transit.
The Wines
Choosing wine can be overwhelming and stressful, so Winc has taken the guess work out of finding a selection through a series of questions in a profile survey to match you with a bottle you are sure to enjoy. If you aren't feeling the pick, you are able to peruse the options yourself and override what has been selected for you. You are able to easily search for wines based on a number of filters, such as sweetness, region, varieties, and more. If you are like me and just can't leave well enough alone, you can also opt to select your own wines. If delicious wine isn't enough, just before your selections arrive, you will also receive an email detailing the wines you chose complete with pairings, recipes, and nutritional information. Let's get tasting!
NV Finke's™ Demi-sec Sparkling White Wine - $20.99 (Member Price $18.99)
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- Body: light
- Sweetness: slightly sweet
- Alcohol: 11.5%
Finke’s ’s is our pursuit to define a new style of quality California sparkling wine that reflects the state’s perfectly ripened fruit. Sometimes you just need a little sweetness in your day. Enter the Finke’s Demi-Sec. With just a touch of residual sugar to take the edge off, this is a mellow sparkler with easy-drinking vibes. The Demi-Sec shows richer pastry and peach notes that make this a no-brainer with brunch.
I am a sucker for champagne, and while I tend to think of this type of wine specific to New Year's celebrations and weddings, I have decided that every day is a day to celebrate and will do just that. (By living my best life, not by actually drinking champagne every day!) With a slightly sweet body, and light flavor, this bubbly drink is fantastic by itself, but also delish paired with orange juice - mimosa style. Definitely picking up on the lemon and apple notes, it's always exciting to pop the cork on these fizzy bottles and watch the "smoke" arise. Recommended to be paired with cheese, Thai, fruit, and fries, I paired it mostly with fruit, and loved the sweet and sparkling combo it created in my mouth. Because of the light fruity flavor and perfect bite, you can bet this sparkling wine has been tagged as one of my favorites!
2020 The Bluffer® Valdiguié - $18.99 (Member Price $16.99)
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- Body: medium
- Sweetness: dry
- Alcohol: 14.3%
Is it Gamay? Is it Grenache? We won’t make you guess again – this bluffer is Valdiguié. With only a handful of acres growing in California, Valdiguié is a grape you’ve likely never heard of - the only other place it’s grown is in Southern France. Even the first California farmers to discover this grape confused it for Napa Gamay until a traveling Frenchman set them straight. We harvested this sustainably farmed fruit from 40-year-old Valdiguié vines (the oldest in California) from the Paso Robles Highlands and fermented and aged it in stainless steel for freshness. The result is a fruity red with lots of lively, tart berry flavor and an herbal kick to finish.
Like I have mentioned previously, I am more of a white wine kind of girl, but have found that as I age, my tastebuds have become mature enough to enjoy a glass of red wine now and again. Admittedly, I was most drawn to this wine because of the funny nose disguise clip art on the label but grew very fond of the berry notes that were described and decided to give it a whirl. Recommended to be served chilled, but to let it warm up in the glass, this bold red is dry with a medium body. Swishing around in my mouth I found the cranberry and strawberry notes to be bright and pronounced. Said to pair well with pizza and cheese, it also holds its own while drank by itself. Perfect for sipping, I did enjoy a glass or two of this deliciousness while lying in our hammock, soaking up some hot July sun.
2020 Far + Wide Grüner Veltliner - $15.99 (Member Price $13.99)
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- Body: light
- Sweetness: dry
- Alcohol: 12.4%
Far + Wide explores varietals from the far reaches of the globe, like this Grüner Veltliner, a grape indigenous to Austria. A unique and refreshing white that’s full of acidity, racy fruit, and a bit of spiciness, Grüner is a great alternative to Sauvignon Blanc if you are feeling a bit adventurous. The grapes for this wine were grown on three distinct soil types, each of which contributed different characteristics: The first south-facing site provides fruit and peppery spice, the second sunny, warm vineyard gives density and ripeness, and the third site has cooler weather, especially at night, preserving the acidity and brightness in its grapes. Fermented and aged in stainless steel, this vegan-friendly wine has abundant notes of citrus, melon, and spice. We encourage you to get to know Grüner Veltliner - you’ll discover a fresh, versatile white that’s just plain delicious!
Coming from Austria, I was first drawn to the description and the fact that they used grapes grown on three distinct soil types to create this while wine. My initial sip welcomed the lime flavor, followed by the melon. The aftertaste however offered a very light pepper note that I wasn't able to pick up on until after re-reading the description. Pairing well with fish, sushi, cheese, and fries, I opted to try this with a spread of cheese and found it to be very complimentary. This was definitely a winner, and one I would choose again.
2021 Sister Snake Chenin Blanc - $18.99 (Member Price $16.99)
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- Body: light
- Sweetness: dry
- Alcohol: 13.4%
The Western Cape region of South Africa is a wild land that’s just tameable enough to produce some knockout wines. Nature is never far away, though, as is shown in our Sister Snake Chenin Blanc. Though this land is beautiful, it still holds a measure of danger, reminding us that we have to respect it. The Sister Snake Chenin Blanc celebrates this unique varietal, one that you might not have encountered before. Think of it as a cross between Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc, with the former’s stone fruit notes and racy acidity, with the latter’s citrus hints keeping everything lively. Add in Chenin’s telltale honeyed influence, and you have a food-friendly white that will charm just about everyone.
Because my son is obsessed with snakes, I couldn't resist giving this South African Chenin Blanc a try. With an extremely fun label, this incredibly acidic wine has citrus, apple, and pear notes that are easy to decipher. While similar in tasting notes to the Austrian wine, I personally found this bottle a little too acidic for my liking. Pairing well with chocolate cake, sushi, and shellfish, I opted to drink mine alongside of a chocolate chip cookie, which could have been where I went wrong. Maybe I will have to whip up a chocolate cake to see if it goes better with that, as this just wasn't my fave. Have you given this one a try? What did you think?
Verdict
This is my third shipment of Winc, and I have found the process to be enjoyable and easy. I love trying new wines but feel rushed when I am at a liquor store as it tends to be after a weekly grocery shopping trip, and I am exhausted. To be able to scroll and shop as I am relaxing on the couch is a huge perk for me, as are the recommended recipes and food pairings. I have noticed that recently the selection of sweet wines has been depleted but am hoping they will be in stock again soon. As I tend to peruse frequently, I noticed a few new Rosé options that I have earmarked for my next shipment. I can't wait to see just what else I might discover.
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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 curate your own selection, or let them choose a few bottles for you.
Value Breakdown: This box costs $56.96, which breaks down to a per-bottle cost of $14.24. This is a wonderful value given the price I would pay for a bottle of wine like any of these at my local liquor store and the convenience of being able to shop from the couch!
What did you receive in your July Winc shipment? Click below to write a review!
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