I enjoy watching Shark Tank. I don’t watch it often but whenever I find it on television I am glued. I am equally fascinated in the creativity of my fellow humans and the art of the negotiation. I have noticed on the show that many times thinking outside the box pays off for the entrepreneurs. However, there are times when the Sharks say what I am thinking “why reinvent the wheel.” I was recently introduced and sent a sample of a new type of monthly wine club and I am fascinated by it. On the one hand I think it is a great idea, on the other I am thinking why reinvent the wheel. Please continue reading and at the end share your thoughts with me about Wineist.
Here is the scoop of Wineist:
Wineist is a one of a kind monthly wine subscription service for all wine lovers.
“With the monthly tasting kit you will receive a unique set of different quality wines of various price ranges, styles and regions, handpicked by our international team of experts, who agreed to offer their impartial professional knowledge to serve you a unique experience to taste, understand, discover and enjoy delightful wines from faraway places as well as the amazing stories behind them.”
For $19.99/month 2 month trial; $17.99/month or $15.99/month for 6 months you receive a wine tasting pack that includes: 6 50ml or 100ml samples of handpicked wine, notes for a guided tasting, food pairing suggestions, information on the wine and a recipe. All shipping is free.
Wineist is run by professional wine experts and enthusiasts who are educated in wine and passionate about wine. Each month’s wine pack has a theme with creative art work. For example they have offered a “Wines that Rock” sample pack that contained Warburn Estate’s AC/DC Back in Black, Rock n’ Wines Kiss Zin Fire, Slayer’s Reign in Blood Red, Mendocino Wine Company’s Rolling Stone Forty Licks Merlot, Broken Back Winery’s Motorhead Shiraz, and Nightwish’s Nightwish Imaginaerium. All of their packs look fun and creative. The pack I received was from December and titled “Most Magical Tipple,” here are the wines it included:
African Pride Wines, The Long Walk 2013 South Africa: 100% Sauvignon Blanc; very light gold; inviting aromas of stone and orchard fruit, lychee, and citrus; creamy and bright on the palate; fresh acidity with low acidity offer softness on the palate and a clean finish.
Wachtenburg, Splash 2014 Germany: 100% Riesling; soft gold; vibrant aromas of stone fruit, melon, white floral notes, and citrus; rich and round acidity that penetrates the palate leaving a long, mouth-watering finish.
Montes, Cherub Rose 2013, Chile: 100% Syrah; soft pink; strawberries, cherries, citrus zest, and floral notes; soft on palate with round acidity and a crisp texture with a long dry finish.
Chateau d’Or et Gueules, Les Cimels 2012: 60% Syrah, 30% Carignan, 10% Grenache; dark ruby with scarlet hues; candied nose of violets, dark berries, lavender, savory herbal notes, tobacco, and vanilla; rich and silky on the palate with a delicious rustic quality; well balanced acidity with dusty tannins and a long, dry finish.
Bocopa, Don Mantillon 2013 Spain: 100% Monastrell; soft ruby; blue and red berries; pepper, mushrooms, dried violets, balsamic zest, and spice; rustic and dry on the palate with round acidity, medium body; well-integrated tannins and a clean yet pleasing finish.
Navarra, Pagos de Araiz 2013 Spain: Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot; garnet; red and black fruit, dusty earth, smoke, cassis, spice notes, pepper, savory herbal notes, and toasted walnuts; smooth mouth-feel with rich texture, layers of complex flavors that continue to evolve after opened; round acidity, dusty tannins; full body, long, dry finish.
After sampling all six wines, if there is a particular wine you enjoyed and want more of, or if you want more of each of them, then you simply order that wine or wines on Wineist web site and the wine shows up at your door. Easy! From the six samples I received I honestly liked them all. It was an eclectic mix of wines that would be great in full body form.
So, what do you think? Is Wineist a great idea or is it reinventing the wheel? I love the idea that you can “sample” before you buy. But at 50ml there really is one glass per bottle so you cannot really share unless you get the 100ml bottles. However, there is considerably less risk. You are not stuck with a bunch of wine, and a large financial commitment, you don’t like. It’s unlikely you will not like any of the six wines in the sample pack but if for some reason you don’t worst case you are only out $20. And if you do like them you can order one or all at a discount. Furthermore, is this a concept less for my generation and more for the Millennials? Please share your thoughts, comments, opinions with me about Wineist.
