We Tried Wine Access Wine Club. Here’s Our Review.

The love for wine and winemaking is a tradition that stands the test of time. And while there’s new evidence that winemaking dates back an incredible 8000 years, it’s clear that our obsession with fermented grape juice red, white, and rosé is only growing. And what’s not to love? Drinking antioxidant-rich wine is not only good for your health, but it’s also just as enjoyable to sip a glass while relaxing at night or celebrating with family and friends. Pair it with a cheese board or a delicious dinner and you have a little slice of heaven.

Although I am a complete novice when it comes to the world of wine, I know that turning a bottle into something you actually want to drink is not easy. Trips to several wineries and tasting rooms over the years have taught me that wine is both an art and a science. The taste of grapes depends on the soil, climate, weather patterns, whether it is grown in a river valley, near the ocean, or on a dry mountainside. These factors known as “terroir” in the wine world are as important as the type of grapes grown, how they are farmed, and the way they are processed for fermentation and then aging. With each new thing I learn about wine my appreciation also grows like a vine that reaches the sun in a vineyard.

Alcohol Access Review

What I didn’t appreciate was that on trips to liquor stores or liquor stores I often found myself staring at rows of wine bottles confused and indecisive. With so many, it’s hard to know which one is really the best unless you’re in the know. And blind taste tests have shown that price doesn’t always dictate whether a wine is great or not. Sure you can pick bottles with the prettiest labels or funniest names. Guilty as charged. But will your selections be hand-picked from Master Sommeliers, a Master of Wine, and an International Wine Judge? Can you get recommendations from 100-point (that’s the best you can get) winemakers as you run down the aisles? Will you know if what you are getting is really a good value? I do not think so. But even if you’re not a budding sommelier, that doesn’t mean you can’t drink like one Access to Alcohol.

And what’s better than wine shipped straight to your door? Join the Wine Access Club and they’ll send you 4 curated wine boxes each year with 6 bottles per shipment. But the benefits of Wine Access go beyond saving money and less time walking the wine aisles. What sets them apart is that their wine experts taste and research more than 20,000 wines a year to separate the best from the rest. With only 1 in 18 bottles making the cut, the wines sent to you have survived the Hunger Games of wine tastings and will exceed all expectations in taste and value from the pros at Wine Access. It’s also a great way to discover new wines from around the world.

What’s Included in Each Wine Access Box?

When you get a shipment from Wine Access, it’s a pretty special thing. From the outside, the box looks like any other. But the collection of 6 wines packed inside the box beats thousands of others in terms of exceptional taste and value. That’s pretty remarkable. Each Wine Access shipment covers different regions and styles but centers around a theme to help you learn a little more about the world of wine. But only if you want.

Collected wine tasting guides are paired with each bottle to help you get the most out of your tasting experience. They include details such as wine characteristics, best food pairings, where they come from, and the interesting stories behind the wines and how they are created from the vine to the from grape to glass. On the back of each card is a place to rate your wine and take some tasting notes including how the wine looks, smells, and tastes.

They even encourage you to add some details of your own story like who you shared your wine with and for what occasion so you can look back on how the story of the bottle relates to your own. At the very least it’s a great way to keep track of which bottles you like the most and perhaps go back over your tasting notes over time to see how your tastes develop or the wine changes from year to year. Next.

For a more immersive experience, they have videos on their website where one of their wine experts will guide you through a tasting, highlighting the wine and the story behind its journey to the bottle. And if you’re still nervous about venturing into a winery during a pandemic, Access to Alcohol is a great way to bring the tasting room into your own home.

Here are some of the delicious Wine Access wines we tried in our sample box:

2017 Martin Ray Vineyards and Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Santa Cruz Mountains

TYPE OF WINE: red
REGION: Santa Cruz
WINERY: Martin Ray
GRAPES: Cabernet Sauvignon
SWEET: Not too dry
BODY: Whole body
FOOD SPOILAGE: Red Meat, Hard Cheese

This deep dark California mountain-grown Cabernet is aged in French oak for 16 months and has notes of deep cherry, bright red fruit, and herbs on the nose.

Renowned wine critic James Suckling gave it a whopping 94-point rating and described it as having, “Enticing aromas of crushed berries and bark with black-tea undertones. Full body, firm and velvety tannins and a flavorful finish.”

2018 Leonardo Bussoletti Ciliegiolo di Narni Brecciaro 05035 Umbria IGT

TYPE OF WINE: red
COUNTRY: ITALY
REGION: Umbria
WINERY: Bussoletti Leonardo
GRAPES: Ciliegiolo
SWEET: Not too dry
BODY: Whole body
FOOD SPOILAGE: Cured Meats, Red Meats, Hard Cheeses, Soft-Cheeses, Pizza

With Ciliegiolo meaning “cherry” and dating back to 1600, this ancient grape was revived by Leonardo Bussolettie about a decade ago in his vineyard in Narni, Umbria where the zip code is 05035. Wine expert wrote that Italian James Suckling that hard to find medium. -bodied wine has “Lots of soaked, compote-like fruit here, like red-plum essence and raspberry” in his not-so-fabulous 90-point review. You can also taste hints of wild herbs and spices. This one is perfect for pizza.

2018 Adegas Galegas D. Pedro Soutomaior Albarino Rias Baixas

TYPE OF WINE: White
REGION: Rías Baixas (SPAIN)
WINERY: Adegas Galegas
GRAPES: 100% Albariño
SWEET: Bone dry
BODY: Whole body
FOOD SPOILAGE: Exotic, Spicy, Soft-Cheeses, Fish, Shellfish, Poultry, Vegetables

ABOUT WINE:
Made in the northwest region of Spain, and aged in stainless steel barrels this wine is bright, ripe, floral, rich in minerals, and crisp with notes of apple, lime, and peaches. Albariño is a wine drunk young so there is no need to put this gem away. It’s great with a variety of foods, but pairs perfectly with sushi, ceviche, grilled lobster, creamy seafood, or spicy Thai and Indian dishes.

How Much Does a Wine Access Subscription Cost?

A quarterly Wine Access subscription is $150 + tax plus shipping. But the cost of your box will cost $200 plus depending on the selection.

Excluding wine expertise, access to hard-to-find bottles + the pure joy of finding a box full of wine on your doorstep, Wine Access is a great value. And if you discover a wine you like, as a member of the club, you will too get 10% discount all additional bottles on the website.

I think I’m more than ready for a glass.

Visit WineAccess.com for more information, at discover and shop for new wines, or to sign up for a wine club subscription.