Choosing the perfect gift isn’t an easy task. You want to find a gift that’s thoughtful, unique, and special, something that shows the recipient how much you appreciate them. One unique gift choice that’s grown in popularity over recent years is the subscription box — a themed package delivered on a regular basis.
These services vary widely, delivering everything from clothing to gourmet snacks. You can also give the gift of a wine subscription, providing the recipient with a monthly bottle of wine to enjoy.
Many people enjoy the gift of wine. It pairs well with a meal, offers a variety of health benefits, and complements a social gathering. Before giving the gift of a wine subscription, however, it’s important to consider whether it’s a suitable gift for the person you have in mind.
What Is a Monthly Wine Subscription?
A monthly wine subscription is a service that delivers wine to your home on a regular basis. Most services deliver tailored wine options, allowing you to customize your shipments to receive only red wines, only white wines, or a combination of both. You can also specify your preferences in wine sweetness, body, and type.
Like any monthly service, recipients always have the option to cancel or extend their subscription. You can also change your preferred delivery address, pause your deliveries, or update your preferences online if you want to try a new type of wine.
How To Determine Whether a Monthly Wine Subscription Is the Right Gift
Before giving this sort of recurring gift, it’s important to determine whether it’s the right choice for the person who will receive it.
Here’s how to determine whether a monthly wine subscription is the right gift for someone:
- Review wine preferences: Think about which type of wine the recipient might enjoy most. If they have specific red, white, or sparkling wine preferences, make sure that the wine subscription you choose has those options.
- Consider their drinking habits: Make sure to confirm that this individual enjoys wine before gifting them a monthly subscription for it. Consider when they most often drink wine — perhaps with dinner or when socializing with friends — and choose options most often used for those occasions.
- Check for shipping restrictions: Because wine is a perishable item, some locations might be off-limits for delivery. Make sure your recipient can receive a wine subscription at their home or business address.
A monthly wine subscription is an ideal gift for wine enthusiasts, but it’s possible that others might prefer another form of appreciation. Before purchasing, be sure to consider whether your gift aligns with their habits and interests.
Different Types of Wine Subscriptions
Wine subscriptions come in many different formats. Some might feature wines from a particular location like California or Italy. Others deliver premium, hard-to-find wines that impress recipients. Many people prefer a monthly wine subscription that features different types of wines — including types they’ve never tried before — for a tasteful adventure without ever leaving the home.
Here are a few important distinctions between different types of wine subscriptions:
- Type of wine: Explore a variety of red, white, rosé, and sweet wines that cater to different tastes, settings, and meal pairings.
- Number of bottles: Some monthly wine subscriptions deliver a single bottle of wine per month. Others offer multiple bottles per case, based on your wine consumption preferences.
- Frequency of delivery: Subscriptions vary between monthly, every other month, and quarterly delivery. You can also schedule a one-time delivery if this frequency better suits your gift recipient.
- Input into wine selections: Some models also give you the freedom to decide which type of wine you want to include in your deliveries.
- Educational content: Many packages also include educational content along with the wine you receive. This content will vary based on the type of wine you select, providing relevant information on wine sources, tasting notes, and food pairing suggestions.
Some premium wine and premium case subscriptions also provide access to a personal consultant, who can help address any of the questions you might have about your wine.
Choosing the Right Subscription
Choosing the right wine subscription, particularly as a gift, is an important responsibility. Here are a few tips when choosing the right one:
- Consider wine types: Whether you’re interested in a sweet wine or a red wine club, take into account your gift recipient’s preferences in wine type. If they drink wine, make sure you choose a subscription that matches their tastes.
- Overall cost: Fees, shipping costs, taxes, and optional add-ons will vary based on the wine gift you select.
- Review member discounts: Look for subscription providers that allow you to save money with recurring orders.
- Evaluate customization options: Prioritize subscriptions that allow subscribers to personalize their wine selections by type, style, or region.
Just as you would carefully consider someone’s interests before wrapping a gift, it’s important to review someone’s wine interests before signing them up for a subscription.
Other Considerations
There are many factors to consider before deciding on a particular monthly wine subscription model as a gift. Here are a few more things to keep in mind:
- Value per bottle: Consider the quality and price of each included bottle of wine, to ensure you’re receiving high value for your subscription.
- Delivery timelines: Review your subscription’s delivery schedule and estimated arrival times to confirm the recipient can receive the package.
- Customer reviews: Read feedback from real customers about subscription selections, wine quality, and overall satisfaction.
These factors can provide even more security in your decision to purchase a monthly wine subscription for a loved one.
Presentation
A thoughtful presentation helps elevate the gift-giving experience and clearly demonstrates how much you care about someone. Here are a few tips for presenting your wine subscription in a meaningful way:
- Include a personalized note explaining why you chose a specific subscription.
- Package your gift in a decorative box or basket.
- Include extra wine accessories like a corkscrew, wine glasses, or complimentary snacks.
- Tailor the presentation to a specific event like a housewarming or major holiday.
Thoughtful presentation of your wine subscription creates a memorable, enjoyable experience for the recipient. Even a simple note is a valuable personal touch that adds a thoughtful element to an already enjoyable gift.
Alternatives
A monthly wine subscription isn’t the perfect gift for everyone. Fortunately, there are plenty of gift alternatives that offer a similar level of enjoyment for both the giver and recipient, including the following:
- Wine tasting experience: Take your friend or loved one to a wine tasting event at a local vineyard or winery.
- Wine accessories: Give the practical gift of an automatic wine bottle opener, high-quality wine glasses, or other accessories that make wine consumption even more enjoyable.
- Wine books or magazines: Gift a selection of wine-themed literature on wine history, meal pairing, or the wine-making process.
These alternative gift options offer memorable experiences without a monthly subscription. These options are perfect for casual or dedicated wine enthusiasts, whether you’re celebrating a milestone, a special occasion, or simply wine itself.
