Most people who know me know that I’m extremely indecisive about even the most minor of issues. I never know where I want to eat, change songs on Spotify ten seconds in, and the clothes on my bedroom floor on a Friday night look as though they’ve been through a tornado. So you can imagine that choosing which wines to try can be a challenge for me…
Cue Winc (formerly Club W), the world’s first personalized wine club that is changing the way people discover, buy and share wine.
The way Winc works…
1) You take Winc’s “Flavor Profile” quiz (here) where questions – how you like your coffee and whether or not you salt your food – gauge what flavors you gravitate towards
2) Winc recommends four bottles you may like based on your responses
3) You either head to the online checkout with the recommendations or peruse their entire page of Featured Wines and make different selections
4) You make your purchase via credit card (if you have at least four bottles in your cart, the $6 shipping cost is waived). P.S. You can also use my member code to get $13 off – a bottle on the house! https://www.clubw.com/1z38j0ujyzw
5) Your Winc box arrives two days later!
Why am I so smitten with Winc? Let me count the ways…
The rotating exclusivity of Winc’s wines means you’ll have new recommendations the following month, so you’re not clinging to one particular wine. It’s a great way to familiarize yourself with different varietals and it allows you to try labels not offered in your grocery store.
Graphic design is also important to Winc. The look of a label can be really deceiving in the wine industry but with Winc, you don’t have to sacrifice the trendy label to get a quality bottle of wine.
Most Winc wines costs $13. Their process cuts out brokers, middle-men and markups so they can offer quality wines that would cost up to twice as much through traditional industry distribution; this also allows for more direct and personal relationships with their growers.
Your first Winc package typically takes only two days to arrive so if you order on Hump Day, your wines will arrive in time for the weekend! I was able to get text updates so I knew if my package was in transit (they require a signature and I.D. since it’s an alcohol delivery) and the wines arrived in neat, secure packaging. Each wine comes with a cute description card and a suggested recipe to along with each bottle.
It’s safe to say wine decision-making just got a whole lot easier!
Check out my August box reviews below…
2014 Alchymist Noir Red Blend
Smells like: Dark cherry, strawberry, blackberry, firewood (smoke)
Tastes like: Dark chocolate, cherry, berry jam
Pairs with: Brie, BBQ ribs
Alchymist is a dark red wine that tastes as seductive as it looks. It’s a “big red,” meaning it’s packed with the flavors of popular reds (Syrah, Barbera, and Valdiguie). Alchymist is what I like to call the perfect “bathtub wine” – it’s cool on the tongue (perfect contrast to a steamy bath) and has a velvety mouthfeel that makes it so easy to drink. Plus, the smoky aroma transports me to a winter’s eve in Tahoe spent cozying up next to the fireplace with a glass of red wine. Serve at room temperature and decant before tasting.
Would I buy this wine again? Yes!
2015 Wilhelmina Riesling
Smells like: Peach, honeysuckle, jasmine, wet stone
Tastes like: Peach and apple candy
Pairs with: Pad Thai; sushi; edamame; vanilla cupcakes
This wine is the liquid version of joie de vivre! Riesling is one of the most aromatic grapes around. One sip of Wilhelmina and I was taken back to that dreamy, spring scene in Disney’s Alice in Wonderland when Alice is singing “In A World of My Own” while lying amongst the wildflowers. I kid you not, I could literally hear the babbling brook in the distance as I sipped on this sweet nectar. Wilhelmina’s floral nose is sweet enough to attract the bee on the wine’s label, but its mineral complexity gives it such sophistication. Serve chilled.
Would I buy this wine again? Absolutely, it’s my favorite of the bunch! I’m actually planning on trying more Rieslings because of this one.
2015 Greensmith Carignane
Smells like: Black cherry, blackberry, sage, lavender, anise
Tastes like: Black cherry, blackberry, sage, baking spices
Pairs with: Goat cheese, butternut squash, herbed chicken, roasted pork
When I heard my father had sold some of our certified-organic Carignane to a winemaker who was collaborating with Club W, I had to get a bottle! Greensmith is a bit pricier than the majority of Club W wines, but still a great value at $21. Carignane was the only pre-existing varietal on our ranch when my late-grandfather Jack Cox bought was is now Cox Vineyards; Greensmith is made from those 75-year old vines. This wine has a bold nose of cherry and a warm earthiness in its flavoring. Of the two reds I ordered, Greensmith is higher in tannins and fruit vibrancy. The best part is the long, exhilarating finish. The flavors of black cherry and blackberry linger on your tongue like a perfect kiss at the end of a unforgettable date. You won’t be able to stop thinking about it. Serve at room temperature and decant before tasting.
Would I buy this wine again? Yes! I know I sound biased, but I really loved the complexity of this red. It’s also a perfect red wine for the coming Fall months.
2015 Loves Me Not Malvasia Bianca
Smells like: Lychee, honeysuckle, elderflower, honeydew, peach, candy
Tastes like: Peach, honeydew
Pairs with: Unsalted popcorn with a bit of pink himalayan salt
Everything about this wine is deceiving, but in the best of ways! From the adorable-looking label that actually says Loves Me Not (wait, what?!) to the wine’s sugary sweet bouquet that morphs into a balanced white wine, this Moscato-inspired wine actually appeals to people like me, who admittedly aren’t big Moscato fans. If sweet wines aren’t your thing, don’t let the nose fool you. This little girl is made from so much more than “sugar and spice and everything nice”; she’s growing into a sophisticated young lady and her refreshing acidity proves this. If you are into sweet wines, you’ll appreciate the elevated layers of this one. Serve chilled.
Would I buy this again? Yes!
2015 Cocomero Rosé
Smells like: Strawberry, cherry, watermelon, rose petal
Tastes like: Watermelon, Jolly Ranchers
Pairs with: Goat cheese; seafood pasta
The graphic design of this bottle exudes summertime fun with cute watermelon and flowers, and is artistically my favorite in the bunch! But, I have to admit the first few sips of Cocomero confused me a little. I was expecting the sweet watermelon to come through more boldly. Disappointed, I retired Cocomero to my fridge for the night. Rosé is meant to be consumed upon opening so I broke the rules a little by tasting it the following day. To my surprise, I actually liked it so much more! I think it needed to breathe a bit because I could find those watermelon flavors the next day. Serve chilled.
Would I buy this wine again? I’d like to give this one another try despite my initial confusion. However, I also saw that Winc restocked their other popular rosé Sauvetage, so I may try that one next.
All individual wine photos are property of Winc/Club W
pinotandpeeptoes.com 
2 thoughts on “Winc Wines for the Win”