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What We Tested This Week: Winc Wine Subscription Service
Who This Is Perfect For: A wine lover who likes trying new varieties, but gets overwhelmed by the selection at a store
It’s no secret that we live in a world where you can get virtually anything delivered to you (seriously, anything). Now, you can get your favorite goodies automatically delivered on a weekly, monthly, or even quarterly basis. While I've tried out a couple subscription services — Rent the Runway, Billie, Daily Harvest — I have since cancelled all of them in an effort to keep my fixed expenses at a reasonable level. But it's been roughly 2 years since I first signed up for Winc, and cancelling the service has never even crossed my mind.
I initially signed up for Winc on a whim — I probably had some sort of credit to get a month or two for free, and told myself I'd cancel the minute that credit ran out. But after the first few months, I got hooked. It became something I looked forward to because it was fun to see what the service had picked out for me that round. Trying a new bottle excited me and made me feel like I was broadening my wine tastes.
To get started, each person must answer some questions to determine their "palate profile," which is how Winc will recommend wines each month. It doesn't matter if you like citrusy whites or full-bodied reds — Winc has both and so much more. Each shipment comes complete with four bottles of either all red, all white, or a variety (this is something you'll determine in the initial questionnaire). There's no set fee each month. The cost is simply determined by the price of each bottle in your box.
One of my favorite things about this wine subscription service is that you're not limited by Winc's recommendations. You can create your own box each month if you want and select any wine they offer. (Like if you wanted to get a nice bubbly for the new SATC reboot...)
Plus, it's simply convenient. The bottles get delivered to my office in an easy-to-carry box, so I don't have to hit a store and deal with other cranky New Yorkers in need of wine. Despite what some reviewers say, it is easy to pause for a month if you need to. As long as you pause 48 hours before your next shipment date, you're good.
Even though I would consider myself to be a wine snob sometimes, I think you can still get a great bottle of wine without spending a fortune. Winc was founded on the basis that wine should be accessible to all, and the majority of the bottles they sell are around $15. If you're in a splurging mood, you can certainly opt for one of their more luxurious bottles, but the bottles chosen for you will always be under $20.
Another thing we love about Winc is how easy it is to gift. You can gift a 1-, 2-, or 3-month subscription, making it a great last-minute holiday gift for the wine love on your list. Sign up for Winc now and stock up for yourself, too.
