Winc’s Wine Club Strives to Pair People With Bottles They’ll Love, and This Reviewer Raves About Its Accuracy

Wine is a delicate business. The process of making it is arguably an art form, and even just tasting it can turn into a grand study that takes sommeliers on a years-long journey. In short, wine can be intimidating, and it definitely isn’t the most accessible drink. But one wine club is working to change that by pairing people with affordable bottles tailored to their tastes, and that wine club is Winc.

Wine was the alcoholic drink I was most familiar with by the time I was old enough to drink legally. My parents are big wine people, and thanks to their exposure, I know that I prefer a bold, dry red above all else, will settle for a dry white, and loathe sweet or semi-sweet wine. So, I mainly buy cabernets and red blends—not much else makes it in my shopping cart. Still, I can’t help but wonder: What am I missing out on? Is there a white wine or even a rosé that will tickle my fancy but is totally off my radar?

That’s why I was so excited to try Winc, the California-based wine club started by sommelier Brian Smith. It may sound high and mighty, yet the club is anything but pretentious. Rather, Winc exists to help you find a bottle of wine you’re almost sure to love and that won’t break the bank.

The key to the service lies in the ″Palate Profile″ quiz. Upon signing up for Winc, you’ll answer five short questions so that the algorithm can learn your tastes. Fast forward two to five business days, and a box of wine bottles based on your answers arrives at your door—no more liquor store roulette.

I wanted to see just how accurate Winc is at pairing people with wine, so I tried it out myself. Below is my honest review of every aspect—from the quiz to the last drop of a bottle.

TAKE THE WINC QUIZ NOW

 The Right Glass Can Elevate Any Wine—Here’s How to Choose the Best One for Each Varetal

How I Tested the Service

Taste testing wine isn’t much of a chore, though four bottles’ worth was a bit daunting for me to do alone. That’s why I enlisted some close friends to drink them with me, and they were more than happy to help. But while five of us knocked out three of the bottles in one sitting, I made sure to save the lone white wine for me to test on my own. I wanted to see if I would actually enjoy it without any outside influence, especially given that it’s not my go-to selection. I also wanted to pair it with an appropriate meal to see how that may enhance the experience.

My overall rating for Winc: 8.7 out of 10

Pros:

• Selects wines based on your palate preferences
• Exposes you to wines beyond your local grocer’s stock
• You don’t need a membership to buy its wine (though it is cheaper with one)
• You can customize your cart before you check out
• Your recommendations evolve with each bottle you rate
• Prices are on par with grocery stores and there’s no member fee

Cons:

• You have to sign for your delivery in person
• Credits system can lose you money if you don’t keep track
• No refunds, only store credit
• Need to correspond with a representative to cancel

Signing Up for Winc: How It Works

Signing up for Winc’s wine club begins with a simple quiz. It’s only five questions, but it uses your answers to build what’s called a “Palate Profile.” And the questions aren’t answered with a simple yes or no—not everything is black and white, least of all your personal taste. You either choose your answer from a spectrum or check off various options for a more exact profile.

From there, you’ll enter your email and date of birth (gotta be 21), and the algorithm will match you with four bottles of wine that are meant to suit your taste preferences. Winc also provides three descriptive terms for each bottle to clue you in on what’s to come. But if the selection isn’t to your liking, you can also opt to choose your own wines before checking out.

Your Palate Profile isn’t set in stone either. As you try more wines, you’ll have the option to rate them on the website or on the app, where you can also make purchases. Winc will then use your feedback to inform future recommendations as it continues to learn your preferences.