We are living in some crazy times. The entire world is stuck inside, but that doesn’t mean we have to stop doing things we love. And I LOVE wine. That’s why wine clubs are a Godsend right now.
I had a great trip to South Africa planned for the end of March. I was meant to be in Cape Town and Stellenbosch for two weeks with some friends. We were going to visit different vineyards and taste some of the best wines in the world.
Needless to say, we had to cancel and I entered April feeling like I had really missed out.
Social distancing does not make my FOMO any less poignant. It is almost impossible to sit with my friends, not to mention trying out different wines together.
We’re stuck inside our respective homes and can’t even go shopping for wines as a group.
The good news is that online deliveries can alleviate some of the loss for us. With wine clubs becoming ever more popular, they are the perfect solution to social distancing for wine lovers.
Let’s take a quick look at how wine clubs work.
About Wine Clubs And Why They Are Amazing
What is a wine club?
A wine club is an online subscription service that introduces you to a range of different wines on a monthly or bi-monthly basis.
These wines are curated by experts to find the ideal options for your particular level of expertise. Those of us with experience in wine tasting can get wines with more acquired or subtle tastes. Beginners can get into the experience with easily accessible wines.
A wine club membership is an affordable way to keep your passion alive while stuck inside.
For me, it’s perfect, because I can receive the same wines as my friends. Then, we can get on a conference call and enjoy the tasting experience together.
How do I choose the best wine club?
Not all wine clubs are created equal. Of course, you want a wine club that draws on the expertise of the best sommeliers in the business.
While beginners might not notice the difference between some selections, you should nonetheless go with the better options if you wish to cultivate your palate.
When you are choosing the best wine clubs, you need to decide on what you want to taste. There are clubs that focus specifically on red wine, white wine, Rosé, Champagne, or other varieties. If you want a varied experience, you can opt into a club that provides a wide range of wines.
The most well-known and trustworthy wine clubs include WSJwine, Vinebox, and the California Wine Club. Whichever club you are interested in, it is important that you read expert reviews before settling on your perfect wine club membership plan.
What should I expect?
A good wine club membership will provide you with a complimentary bottle to get you started. This will be an excellent wine perfectly suited to your taste. This is just the beginning of your experience.
Depending on the plan you choose, you will receive monthly or bi-monthly wines to taste. There are clubs that will also allow you to put shipments on “vacation hold” or “skip a month.” And, of course, some focus more on quantity for your money versus the quality of the wine.
You can organize to get extra options while we are all still stuck in quarantine. Arrange for additional shipments or more bottles per shipment. Most clubs will work with you to personalize your experience as much as possible.
If your friends also join, you can share the experience with them on a virtual platform, as if you are truly experiencing great wine together.
Some clubs even offer recipes to go along with each shipment’s selections. This is certainly beneficial for beginners who are just learning the intricacies of pairing food and wine.
It could also add a fun dimension to your social wine tasting experience if you and your friends are also comparing notes on how well it goes with the recipe provided.
Social distancing is taking a toll on all of us. For wine lovers, it does not need to keep us away from our passion. On the contrary, it can provide the perfect opportunity to get involved in a wine tasting community.
