Chat with Vinny
To wine enthusiasts, the allure of a wine club membership is undeniable. But with so many misconceptions about wine clubs swirling around, it’s easy to get bogged down with conflicting information. So … we’re going to uncork the truth once and for all, debunking some of the most common myths about wine club memberships.
1. You must be a wine expert to join a wine club
One of the most common myths about wine clubs is that they are quite exclusive – that you need some sort of ‘formal’ wine education, or perhaps even be a Master of Wine, to join one.
But honestly, that couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, a wine club membership is for everyone. Wine clubs are a great way to learn about wine – in the same way you learn about new artists and their music on Spotify.
One of the more enjoyable aspects of being part of a wine club is exploring new wines from regions you perhaps wouldn’t have tried yourself. And not only that, but the best wine clubs provide in-depth articles and informative write ups, helping you learn more about the complexities of wine, from winemaking techniques to how different regions influence character, and everything in between.
And perhaps the most enjoyable part of a wine club ... whether you're a complete novice or seasoned expert, is receiving monthly or quarterly selections of wine.
Yep. Wine clubs really are that simple.
And there’s so many wine clubs out there … many of which cater to different tastes, knowledge levels and budgets, so you’ll definitely be able to find one that suits your needs.
Interested? Find out how you can join a Laithwaites Wine Subscription.
2. They're expensive
Along with the misconception that wine clubs are only for experts (and therefore must deal in exclusively in fine wine), is another common myth – that wine clubs are expensive.
In fact, wine clubs are typically more cost effective than if you were to buy your favourite bottles individually. That’s because wine clubs offer exclusive discounted prices and members-only savings which you benefit from when you’re part of the club.
Plus, when you’re a member of a wine club, you’ll often receive a free gift with your first case or unlock free delivery which increases the value for money a wine club offers.
At Laithwaites, we bring you great prices by cutting out the middleman. For the past 50 years, we’ve gone directly to winemakers, forging strong relationships. This means we benefit from top grape parcels and blends – for great prices. And that means you get the best prices too.
3. You receive generic wine selections
Another common wine club membership myth is that you’re stuck with only generic wine selections and can’t tailor your subscription to suit your specific wine preferences.
But that isn’t the case.
Know what you love and want to stick with it? Great. Keen to broaden your wine horizons? Perfect … a wine club can help you do exactly that.
In fact, wine club wines are often selected by wine experts who utilise their knowledge of styles, regions and food pairings to select specific bottles that meet your likes and preferences. This means you’ll be able to try new grape varieties or wines from under-the-radar regions with the confidence of knowing the wines have been chosen with your tastes in mind – no generic selections here.
And not only that but being a member of a wine club often means you’ll have access to small-batch, rare, or even limited-edition wines that you’d be unable to find elsewhere.
If you decide to become a member and join a Laithwaites Wine Subscription, you’ll receive new wines every month.
4. There's no flexibility
There’s also a misconception that wine club memberships are rigid – and once you’re in, you’re locked in.
Wine clubs now are not what they once were. Modern wine clubs are becoming increasingly more flexible. In fact, many clubs allow you to:
Customise your selection, so you can swap out bottles and add your favourites
Skip a month, or pause your membership
Cancel your subscription any time
With the Laithwaites Wine Club, you’re in total control over how many bottles of wine you’d like to receive – this ranges from 4, 8 or 12 bottles each month. You can opt for all-reds, all-whites, or mixed cases depending on your drinking habits.
And, if you don’t want to receive a monthly delivery, you can update your preferences to a less frequent delivery – every 8 or 12 weeks.
5. If you don't like the wines you receive it's a waste of money
What happens if you buy a wine in the supermarket, open it, but don’t like it? You can’t exactly return it … or even ask for your money back.
But that isn’t the case with wine clubs.
Wine clubs want their members to enjoy their drinking experience and want their members to be satisfied with the service they receive.
If a member isn’t happy, for whatever reason, with the bottles they receive, the best wine clubs will often do one of two things:
Offer to change the bottle, free of charge
Offer a 100%, no quibble, money-back guarantee
That means joining a wine club is a win-win. Not only do you have the convenience of an expertly chosen case of wine being delivered to your door, but you also know that if you don’t like anything you receive, you’ll get your money back
So, now that the most common wine club myths have been debunked, why not explore the benefits of joining a wine club further.
And if you’re looking for a wine club with a twist, explore Vineyard Partners.
Vineyard Partners isn’t a club … it’s a partnership that connects customers with winemakers so you can support their winemaking efforts and share in the life of our fantastic partner vineyards.
As a Vineyard Partner, you’ll also get exclusive access to small-batch, handcrafted wines, as well as annual savings of up to 33%. There are exclusive wine events and tours to attend – and you can even stay at some of our partner vineyards. Find out more about Vineyard Partners and how you can become a member.
About the author
Brogan Wilson
Qualified to WSET Level 2 Wine, Brogan is a relatively new member of the team, having joined in September 2023. She previously worked as the sole copywriter at a creative marketing agency, and before that, as a primary school teacher. At Laithwaites HQ, you’ll find her growing her knowledge, asking lots of questions, and crafting both digital and print copy. An ardent red wine drinker, Brogan is also fond of Crémant.
