Discover the Best Way to Try New Wines
The key that will unlock the rich and satisfying world of wine appreciation is finding a trusted resource like WSJwine—and trying as many wines as you can.
Over the course of 2020, the average American drank more wine than ever before: 14 and a half bottles, or about 3 gallons. But drinking wine is one thing—understanding it is another. Though most of us would love to fully appreciate the many nuances and entertain guests with insights about a specially chosen bottle, wine knowledge and vocabulary can be hard to grasp. If you've ever wondered about what a wine with "lingering tannins" or "citrus notes" tastes like, you're not alone.
And while a trusted resource on regions, tasting notes, grapes, and vineyards is essential to becoming a confident wine expert, it's equally important to pair theory with practice by tasting a wide variety of wines. One way to expand your understanding of oenology while refining your palate is to join a wine club.
WSJwine curates an extensive range of wines from 20 countries. Each wine is delivered to members with tasting notes, pairing recommendations, and essential background info, making it easy to go from consumer to connoisseur. Plus, CNET readers can sign up for an impressive introductory package that includes two bonus bottles and two wine glasses, among other exclusives that make the work of becoming a wine expert easy.
If you're just beginning your journey to wine expertise, here are five essential steps:
1. Get to know wine regions
Most casual wine lovers know that France, California, Italy, and Spain produce great bottles. The path from there, however, is limitless. You can go deep into the terroir of classic French regions like Bordeaux, mastering their Merlots and Cabernet Sauvignons.
You might pick a lesser-known region, like Portugal, which delivers "impressive quality and great value," according to Wine Spectator. One example is the Aluado Alicante Bouschet 2020, a robust red that has won five gold medals (so far) and comes from an estate 40 miles north of Lisbon.
WSJwine's exclusive offer for CNET readers includes the Aluado Alicante Bouschet in its case of Top 12 wines, along with other award-winning selections from wine regions around the world, like:
- Alambrado Malbec (Argentina)
- Dark Corner Durif Shiraz (Australia)
- Prestige de Mireval Cabernet Sauvignon (France)
- Ultima Edizione (Italy)
With this offer, WSJwine invites you on a journey to discover better winemakers and better wine. You can trust that each bottle has been vetted for quality by a team of experts and is top-rated by thousands of wine club members.
2. Learn how to develop your tasting skills
Knowing whether a wine is "dry" or "sweet" is one of the most basic distinctions you can make. Understanding how a wine's flavors interact with different foods is the next step. For example: Which flavors can you identify in a "fruity" wine? Apricot? Citrus? Melon? From there, can you detect secondary flavor notes, like chocolate, coffee, or spices? Knowing the right words to express what you're tasting can help refine your wine preferences and understand how to pair wine with various dishes.
The best way to hone your tasting skills is to compare your own experience alongside the descriptions that come from a reputable guide. Each bottle delivered by WSJwine comes with tasting notes, background on the winemakers, information about the wine region, serving instructions, and suggested food pairings. With practice, you'll be able to identify esoteric notes of "wildflower" and "wet stone," and know exactly which bottles to serve at your next dinner party.
3. Find a trusted wine guide
Whether you rely on an in-store expert, subscribe to a wine magazine, or join a wine club, your guide should be able to tell you about the wine you're drinking and the winery, too.
For example, what's special about Le Bordeaux de Tour du Roch-Milon 2019? A trusted wine guide will tell you that it's produced at an historic, female-owned, and under-the-radar estate. (which is across the street from world-famous Château Latour). Plus, the bottle is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, aged for 12 months in French oak, which adds a toasty complexity to the wine's rich, dark fruit flavors. Joining WSJwine gets you a bottle of this limited-supply wine along with all the relevant information you need to delight your guests while sharing a glass.
4. Elevate your wine confidence and selections with a wine club
Having a curated selection of wines delivered to your doorstep expands your knowledge and helps you browse more confidently at the store, too. You can explore at your own pace, without the overwhelming feeling of selecting a single bottle from hundreds on a shelf.
WSJwine delivers a 12-bottle case every three months (which works out to one bottle per week) and specializes in smaller, family-owned vineyards around the world. The standard for quality is high: Less than 2 percent of the 40,000 varieties tasted by the service's experts are selected for WSJwine members. The bottles have won hundreds of awards in total.
WSJwine gives you all the essential background you need for each bottle, plus delightful facts:
Your bottle of Benedictus de Vatican 2020, for instance, was produced by a winemaking dynasty in France that has had its wines blessed by the Pope. (A case of their wine is delivered to the Vatican every year.)
5. Refine your preferences and enjoy personalized selections
With WSJwine, learning and personalizing your taste is as easy as clicking a button. The website's "My Wine Cellar" feature lets you give feedback on the wines you've tasted and enables the experts at WSJwine to tailor future selections toward your preferences.
Members also have access to Personal Wine Advisors. These experts will take time to discuss the wines you've enjoyed and to help you discover new favorites. They'll also answer questions about serving, storing, and food pairing – a tremendous help when you're planning a special event.
Joining WSJwine is easy, and members get a 100% money-back guarantee on every wine. You can also delay or skip deliveries, or cancel your membership, at any time. Members are guaranteed a minimum 20% savings off retail on club cases, and they earn credits for free bottles and upgrades to a 1.5-liter magnum and a luxury bottle (worth $40+). They also enjoy access to exclusive offers throughout the year.
An exclusive offer for CNET readers
WSJwine membership is the ideal way to try the world's most exciting wines and develop your personal tastes. You'll always have the right bottle on hand for dinners and gifts, and you'll be able to delight your friends with your knowledge and insights. Plus, the WSJwine's Top 12 Wines, newly curated for 2022, is the perfect way to restock your cellar after the holidays.
The exclusive CNET offer is an impressive value and also includes two bonus bottles and two stemless wine glasses from Dartington Crystal. Claim this exclusive offer at wsjwine.com/cnet.