KATIE BANDURSKI/TASTE OF HOME
KATIE BANDURSKI/TASTE OF HOME
Pros:
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Nonalcoholic
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Provides a true wine experience
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Plant-based and gluten-free
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Each box includes tasting notes and surprise swag
Cons:
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Pricey
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Doesn't quite taste like real wine
Katie Bandurski/Taste of Home
We can guarantee one thing: There’s no hangover in your future if you sign up for Proxies non-alc wine club. This sommelier- and chef-approved service provides the full wine experience—minus the booze.
“I love the ritual of opening a bottle of wine after work,” shares tester and Senior Shopping Editor, Katie Bandurski. “But as a migraine sufferer, wine is one of my worst triggers. I love that Proxies comes in a real bottle—cork and all!—and looks just as good in my glass as the real deal. Plus, after tasting dozens of nonalcoholic wines, I love that Proxies is a wine alternative. This means it builds flavor with juice, herbs and tannins rather than just removing the alc (but keeping sulfites and histamines) from real wine. ”
As far as taste, Katie admits that this wine alternative doesn’t taste exactly like the good stuff. But it’s got an elevated flavor and mouthfeel that soda or juice can’t replicate. Plus, with the Proxies Club, you have the opportunity to try all sorts of varietals. “Like with alcoholic wine, it comes down to your personal flavor preference. I most loved the crispy bubbliness of the Shuru.”
Enjoy six bottles shipped to your door every three months for $175. You can expect a mix of whites, reds, rosés and even canned beverages. (Hello, nonalcoholic cocktails.) Cheers!
Why You Should Choose a Wine Subscription Box
Wine is always a personal experience. Back in college, I started drinking sweeter wine varietals, such as Moscato and white Zinfandel. Harkening the grape juice of my youth, these sippers were the most palatable for me at the time.
Soon thereafter (and quite a few sugar-induced hangovers later), I began dabbling in drier whites, such as Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc. I found their notes better complemented my maturing palate, and now I’ll firmly claim that nothing is better than a glass of crispy white wine while cooking dinner. Meanwhile, I have wine-loving friends who would drink anything but. See? It’s personal.
Years into my wine-drinking journey, I’ve finally opened myself up to more red wines. Red blends were my gateway, and lately, I’ve found myself enjoying varietals such as Chianti, Sangiovese and Pinot Noir. Friends and family members with superior wine knowledge are instrumental in exposing me to new types of wine. And, in a way, wine subscription clubs do the very same thing.
Operating similarly to a parent, co-worker or friend with refined wine expertise, a wine subscription club points you toward and exposes you to new wines that they know you’ll love based on your personal preferences, budget and consumption habits.
What to Look for When Subscribing to a Wine Club
Annamarie Higley/Taste of home
Consider numerous factors when weighing whether a wine club is right for you. In general, wine clubs are best suited for avid wine drinkers. Except for “by the glass” services, wine clubs often ship between four and 12 bottles at a regular cadence. If you’re a wine-with-dinner kind of person or a big-time entertainer, then a wine club certainly makes sense as an investment. Otherwise, you might want to stick to your periodic supermarket run when it comes to buying wine.
According to Chris, “It is important to be mindful that there are only a handful of wine subscription boxes that actually sell wines made by either wineries or winemakers that exist as brands outside of that subscription company, with most wines sold in them (alternatively) being private labels. Try to find one where, if you search for an example wine online, a production source outside of the subscription company populates, thereby allowing you to explore and discover new wines, the favorites of which you can purchase individually. This also encourages you to support smaller production businesses over mass-produced models.”
Additionally, you’ll want to consider your preexisting knowledge of wines. Some wine clubs cater to novices, whereas others appease aficionados. Seek out a club that meets you where you are. Beyond that, research the club’s wine inventory to see if it aligns with your preferences. Some users might want wines from a certain growing region, whereas some might be set on a specific varietal. Others might just be looking for discounted wine in bulk. Make sure the club and its offerings can cater to you.
How We Found the Best Wine Subscription Clubs
Annamarie Higley/Taste of Home
We found the best wine clubs by pouring, sipping and assessing, of course! Editors from our team received one or more shipments from eight plus wine subscription clubs. Then, we pared down our picks to include only the most impressive. Aside from the quality of the wines themselves, we evaluated the value of the service based on the price, the breadth of the offerings, the wine selection process, and any educational materials or resources. Clubs that ultimately ended up on this list wowed us in most, if not all of these categories. We categorized each based on their most notable features.
Why You Should Trust Us
Multiple shopping editors contributed to this piece, and collectively we bring decades of product testing experience to the table. I serve as Taste of Home’s food and beverage expert, reviewing and researching everything from probiotic sodas to meal kits. We’ve also tested other wines in our Test Kitchen, including boxed wines and the best rosés.
For this piece, we also spoke with Chris Struck, NYC wine educator and former beverage director. Chris Struck has worked in the food & beverage industry for twenty years and holds undergraduate degrees in Culinary Arts & Food Service Management from Johnson & Wales University, and an Executive MBA in Food Marketing from Saint Joseph’s University. He has gained industry certifications from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust, Society of Wine Educators, Court of Master Sommeliers, and Deutsche Wein und Sommelierschule in Koblenz, Germany.
Sean Tirman, Content Updates Editor at Taste of Home, updated and contributed research to this piece. Sean has written shopping guides since 2016 and is a former associate editor at Gear Patrol.
FAQ
Are wine club memberships worth it?
If you are a lover and regular drinker of wine, a wine club subscription can be absolutely worth your money. It can offer you a regular supply of that oh-so-popular fermented grape juice and allow you to try wines you might not otherwise get to have—including various wine styles, labels and specific varieties. With certain clubs, you can even choose the specific cadence and number of bottles in your delivery, meaning you can customize not only what kinds of wines are delivered to you but how much, as well. That said, you will need to drink wine regularly to get the maximum value out of a subscription—but you can typically cancel at any time.
How long is the average wine club membership?
With most wine clubs, including the ones on our list, you can typically pay monthly and cancel anytime. However, if you want to save some money and ensure your membership for longer, you can often pay for multiple months or even a year (or more) at a time. While the investment will be larger at the offset, it could save you hundreds compared to a monthly fee.
Which is the best wine club?
While we picked Winc as the best overall wine club—largely for its cost-effectiveness, selection, customer service, customization and curation options—there’s no one-size-fits-all wine club for every person. The wine club that’s best for you is the one that meets your needs—including selection, budget and cadence. We recommend considering the options on our list above to decide which suits you best. You can also sometimes try out a trial membership, giving you an even better idea of whether a specific club is right for you (or not).