Best Wine Clubs
Based on In-Depth Reviews

Health Benefits of Moderately Drinking Wine

At some point in your life, you’ve probably heard that red wine is good for your heart, particularly if you consume red wine with the Mediterranean diet. Studies suggest that red wine is rich with antioxidants that could benefit your heart.

One of the most notable elements found in wine is polyphenols, commonly found in red and purple grapes as well as in other fruits, vegetables, and nuts. The rich presence of polyphenols sets wine apart from other alcoholic beverages due to their abundant micronutrient qualities. Their antioxidants have proven to act as a natural defense against pathophysiological aspects of neurodegenerative diseases by mitigating oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, protein aggression, and mitochondrial dysfunction at the cellular level.

One of the most widely studied polyphenols in wine, resveratrol, is naturally produced in plants in response to physical harm or invasion by pathogens. Resveratrol possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-tumorigenic, and antioxidant properties, which experts argue may help combat certain chronic diseases.

Some studies suggest that red wine polyphenols reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and have a positive impact on individual human organs when consumed in moderation. Specifically, polyphenols in red wine have been shown to improve heart function.

However, according to the American Heart Association, the best-known effect of alcohol is a small increase in HDL (“good”) cholesterol. The way it works is that resveratrol found in some alcoholic beverages prevents platelets in the blood from sticking or clotting, reducing the risk of stroke or a heart attack.

Now, don’t assume that drinking a glass of red wine will keep you in good health. Some ambiguity still exists as to the significance of its influence on human health. The American Heart Association does not recommend drinking wine or any other form of alcohol to gain these potential benefits.

The Key to a Healthy Heart: It Isn’t Wine

Ever wondered where the old adage of “wine is good for the heart” was born?

In the late 1980s, French epidemiologists observed that despite the French population’s fondness for rich cheesy and highly saturated diets, France had one of the lowest incidences of coronary heart disease. One thing the French diet included? Wine — and gallons of it.

Researchers joked that the reason for their good heart health was due to their wine intake and the idea stuck. While there may be some truth to it because wine is full of some health-boosting nutrients, a Mediterranean diet is more likely the cause.

A body of epidemiological evidence shows that a diet in rich fruit and vegetables reduces the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and numerous cancers. These observed health benefits are thought to be at least partly attributable to a class of non-essential nutrients called polyphenols, found abundantly in fruits, vegetables, and red wine. – Courtesy of Old Whole Grain Council

Antioxidants are necessary for good cardiovascular function. The Mediterranean diet is abundant in vegetables, fruits, herbs, nuts, grains, and beans. Think of a colorful bistro set up at a French food market — antioxidants galore. Their presence in food and drink reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, some cancers, and diabetes. How does wine come into the mix?

The answer is in the foundation of wine. Wine is composed mainly of water, carbohydrates, organic acids, minerals, alcohol, polyphenols, and aromatics. Most of the good stuff, including the abundant nutrients, flavor, and color depends on grapes.

Found in red and purple grape skins, wines with darker tones such as Malbec, Petite Sirah, St. Laurent, and Pinot Noir have the highest resveratrol content. Malbec grapes have the thickest skin and therefore the highest content of resveratrol. More resveratrol means more antioxidants.

As for rosé and white wines, they have fewer antioxidants because they’re made differently than red wine. This has to do with the winemaking process and how much time the grapes are allowed to transfer antioxidants to the wine. But you can indulge in rosé and pinot grigio and still receive some health benefits, albeit not as many as when you’re drinking red wine.

If you’re not into wine, grape juice can act as an adequate replacement and will provide some of the same heart-healthy benefits. 

Wine: It’s Good Only in Small Doses

Federal guidelines and the American Heart Association (AHA) recommend that if you choose to drink alcohol, you should do so in moderation. That means no more than one to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women. According to the AHA, one drink is 12 ounces of beer, four ounces of wine, 1.5 ounces of 80-proof spirits or one ounce of 100-proof spirits.

Studies have found that moderate alcohol consumption may have some health benefits, including raising good HDL cholesterol levels as much as 5 to 15% and lowering the risk of diabetes. However, excessive drinking can lead to a host of health problems, including liver damage, obesity, some types of cancer and stroke, not to mention its negative effect on the heart.

Both the Dietary Guidelines and the AHA advise non-drinkers not to start drinking, regardless of the reason. The Dietary Guidelines also recommend that if alcohol is consumed, it should be only by adults of legal drinking age.

How Do I Know If It’s Okay to Drink?

According to the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some people should not drink alcoholic beverages at all, including:

• Anyone younger than 21 years of age

• Women who are or may be pregnant

• People with certain medical conditions

• People who are driving, plan to drive or are participating in activities that require skill, coordination, and alertness

• People taking certain prescription or over-the-counter medications that can interact with alcohol

• People who are recovering from alcoholism or are unable to control the amount they drink

Percentage of Alcohol in Wine

A wine’s body is one of the primary ways to analyze how a wine feels inside your mouth, particularly when it comes to its texture and flavor. A number of factors contribute to a wine’s body, including alcohol percentage, acidity, and tannins (polyphenols). Alcohol, however, is the main element that contributes to the body (or weight) of wine. Wine is classified as light-bodied, medium-bodied, or full-bodied. The higher the alcohol content, the longer the flavor lingers — which is to say, the more body it has.  

Wines under 12.5% alcohol are considered light-bodied. These are generally refreshing white wines. There are also light-bodied red wines, such as pinot noir, that are produced in cool climates. A good example of a light-bodied white wine is Italian prosecco. A light-bodied wine will typically have lower amounts of tannin and higher acidity.

Wines between 12.5% and 13.5% alcohol are considered medium-bodied. These have a medium level of acidity and tannin. Great examples of these wines are rosé, Burgundy, and zinfandel.

Wines with an alcohol percentage of over 13.5% are considered full-bodied. Some wines that are commonly full-bodied are cabernet and malbec. The majority of wines over 13.5% are usually red and are opaque in hue. These have a lower level of acidity and high levels of tannin. Chardonnay is a great example of a white that can often be considered full-bodied.

Vintages, or old reds: as red wine ages, it may turn slightly orange or brown. By contrast, white wines can darken and turn a golden brown. This means that the wine is oxidizing, which occurs when it's is exposed to oxygen for a long period and causes the pigment to shift.

Wine Clubs 101

Once upon a time, around 4100 B.C.E., the ancient Armenians discovered how to make wine. Later, Egyptian pharaohs used it in religious ceremonies, and eventually, the Phoenicians helped spread it around the Mediterranean. For six thousand years, we’ve been all about getting the most out of those fermented grapes and finding ways to export it to everyone who can afford it.

People have been participating in societies and associations (fancy=confrérie; common=clubs) that curate wine since forever. Famously, the Jurade de Saint-Emilion has been meeting for about 800 years to drink and discuss wine.

With the boom of the digital era, it was only a matter of time until someone brought these exclusive clubs to the internet. Direct-to-consumer wine clubs allegedly began in 1972 with the Wine of the Month Club. It’s the oldest sustained mail-order wine club in the United States and set the precedent for the now-booming online wine club subscription model.

Whether you’re looking for a nice bottle of sparkling to pop open during a night in watching movies with the family or want to discover new red wines from the vineyards of Bordeaux, the magic of wine clubs is that they deliver new finds directly to your home.

“What I find interesting about wine clubs is their creative approach to capture a client through technology,” said Dr. Miguel Gómez, a professor in the Department of Economics and Enology & Viticulture at Cornell University. “It brings the unique experience of a vineyard or small cava directly to the consumer. Not only is it a teaching experience for the consumer as they learn more about wine, regions, and terroir [territory], but they may also benefit small producers as clients discover wines they may never had found before.”

Is a Wine Club for You?

From rich reds to a crisp cava, wine has a way of conveying a story. If you’re curious about wine, want to get a good bargain, or wish to expand your palate, there’s a wine club for all of that.

Wine subscription clubs are designed to make your life easier by picking out the best bottles suited to your interests and can save you the time and hassle of going out. Some wine clubs partner exclusively with certain winemakers or brands that you won’t find anywhere else. Now that’s worth raising a glass to.

Why join a wine club?

• Convenience: Replenish your wine supply from the comfort of your own home

• Price: Most bottles are priced within the $10-$15 dollar range

• Experience: Some wine clubs offer exclusive access to sommeliers

Things to watch out for:

• Wine clubs that require long-term commitments

• Hidden shipping costs or additional fees

• No satisfaction guarantees

Subscribing to a wine club can save you money in the long run. Wine clubs often offer members exclusive pricing on a variety of wines, provide free delivery, and grant access to limited release wines and, on occasion, give free tickets to wine tasting events.

If you are a regular wine drinker and appreciate a good wine, joining a wine club is worth it. On average, members can save from 40 to 60% on wine through their membership. The average price per bottle on most popular wine clubs is $10-$15.

Wine Doesn’t Ship To Every State

One of the advantages of joining a wine club is that some of them have market access to certain states that most retailers don’t have. As you may be aware, some states have alcohol laws that have tough shipping regulations.

That means that if you’re planning to gift a wine box to a friend across state lines, you may soon run into a multitude of restrictions that can dampen your holidays.

If you don’t have a license to ship wine, you’ve hit your first wall. It’s against the law for an unlicensed person to ship a bottle of wine anywhere. Even if you’re licensed to ship wine, you still have to obtain a special contract with the United States Postal Service in order to do so.

Small producers and wineries which meet license requirements to ship wine must overcome another set of obstacles.

According to the US Postal Service, some states allow only on-site visitors to a winery to ship wine out-of-state. That means that if you’re in California visiting a small producer or winery, you can ship the wine from the producer to your home or friend (depending on the state of residence) if the winery has the required licenses. Other states allow you to order wine online, depending on where you live.

You also have to consider that wine packaging and weather may interfere with the quality of your wine or may make it difficult for the wine to make it to you in one piece and undamaged by exposure to the elements.

But the reality is that consumers are driving changes in how products are purchased and sold.  With the advent of the internet, purchasing wine has become as easy as subscribing to Netflix for some people. Still, most states don’t allow retailer-to-consumer direct shipping yet. 

“I think wine clubs address a growing interest that consumers have in curated products. We see it in food, clothing, and now with wine. It’s an easy way to introduce wine which is often seen as a complex, hard beverage to understand,” said David Falchek, Executive Director of the American Wine Society.

Today, there are seven states where winery-to-consumer wine shipments are banned and three states where shipments are allowed with restrictions.

Winery direct shipping laws are prohibited in Utah, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky, Delaware, and Rhode Island. Limited winery direct shipping regulations are in place for Ohio, Louisiana, and New Jersey.

“Wine is highly regulated by the federal government and the state,” said Falchek. “Wine producers often navigate tough regulations that may limit themselves to sell within their own state or a small handful of states. This is an unfortunate situation for producers and consumers, especially small producers that may not have the means to get the licensing to ship to all states.”

Some producers partner with organizations such as VinoShipper, a direct-to-consumer tool that’s licensed in all states and serves as a middleman that manages everything from customer service to shipments, and keeps check of regulatory changes.

Restrictions such as these could determine if your wine club will be able to service your area, so it’s best to read the company’s terms and conditions before subscribing or choosing a gift option for a friend, relative, or loved one.

“Make sure to read the fine print when considering a wine club,” said Jeremy Benson, Executive Director of Free the Grapes. “One of the good things about them is that they’re usually transparent and simple to use when it comes to shipping regulations and will warn consumers if they don’t offer services in their state. Some of them also tend to have licenses that allow wine to be shipped where there are certain restrictions in place.”

Free the Grapes is a national grassroots coalition of wine enthusiasts and wineries who seek to remove bans and streamline restrictions in states that prevent consumers from purchasing wines directly. Founded in 1997, the non-profit seeks to legalize direct-to-consumer shipments in all states.

According to Falchek, the American Wine Society also generally supports reform that expands the shipping availability of wine in all states.

The Pricing Formula of Wine

While alcohol distribution in the United States is closely regulated, there are multiple variables in the system that contribute to the price of that bottle of Merlot you’ve been eyeing. There are three tiers — comprised of producers, distributors, and retailers —  that add cost to the product you’re purchasing at your local wine cellar.

While some consider that the system is calculated to minimize the risk of alcohol abuse, others argue that the policy mirrors dated Prohibition-era ideologies. After the Prohibition’s repeal in 1933, a three-tier system was implemented which requires that alcohol (wine) transition through three separate businesses before reaching the consumer. Unfortunately, this not only challenges small producers by creating a series of structural obstacles that may limit their distribution, but also means a price hike on wine for the consumer.

“Determining the price of wine depends on a variety of factors,” said Dr. Miguel Gómez, a professor who specializes in price transmission and analysis at Cornell University. “Wine clubs are a way to go around that and allow consumers the opportunity to purchase wine at a retail price.”

In order to remain profitable, each tier provides a percentage markup to the bottle of wine. Generally, distributors will place a 30-35% markup and retailers will add up to a 50% markup to the bottle price. 

“Small producers that sell wine in their own tasting room may increase prices of a glass of wine because they’re selling the experience,” said Gómez, who also teaches Economics at the Department of Viticulture and Enology at Cornell. “You may tour their vineyard, have an in-house sommelier guide you through the tasting which adds value. There are many variables to consider when you think of the cost of land, salary of viticulturists, and fermentation process.”

Viticulturists, by the way, are people who are dedicated to the business of the growth and production of grapes in large quantities, which is central to the wine-making process.

“What’s great about wine clubs is that they add marketing value to small producers which extends their reach to larger audiences and may encourage new consumers to travel to their wine cellars or vineyards,” said Gómez. “It’s now become more common to see producers offer subscription model wine clubs to visitors at the end of a tasting experience as a form of keeping that satisfied client engaged in the future.”

Does Packaging Affect the Quality of Wine?

Wine packaging does indeed affect the quality of wine you’re getting. Alternative wine packaging such as canned wine, boxed wine, tetra packs, and glass vials have started to gain popularity in recent years. Here are some of their differences:

Premium Boxed Wine: If you’re looking for an aged vintage, boxed wine isn’t an option for you. Boxed wine can’t be aged, but what makes it popular is that once opened it can last for up to six weeks. For those who are environmentally conscious, this is a good option. Boxed wine containers require less energy to be recycled — and you’re getting more quantity for the price. Consider it as buying in bulk.

Tetra Pak: Tetra paks have been around for some time. We use them for juice, soups, and to store other types of foods. But it’s recommended that wine be consumed within three to six months after purchase. After that, it may run the risk of oxidation.

Glass Bottle: Bottled wine can be aged, which is necessary for some types of wine. This means that it can be enjoyed for longer periods of time in an unopened bottle. The average bottle of wine can be stored in a wine refrigerator but must be consumed soon after opening to enjoy the best results.

Canned Wine: Canned wine, like tetra paks, is made to be consumed soon after purchase for the best results. According to experts, the best canned drinks of this variety are rosés or fruiter wines that can be chilled and enjoyed for their sweet refreshing taste.