The Wine List review and giveaway [AD]
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Wine means something different to everybody. For some, it is a default drink on a night out. Others only drink it with a meal, or enjoy a glass at home. However you feel about wine, it’s important to know which varieties you prefer. It is possible to go wine tasting at a vineyard or pub. There are even lengthy educational courses available for anyone who wants an in depth knowledge. Now though, it is possible to gradually learn about the principles of wine tasting without leaving your house via The Wine List, an education focussed wine subscription box. Read on to find out all about it and enter a giveaway to win an introductory tasting box. For a Wine List discount, enter plutoniumsox30 on their website for 30% off your first box.
What is The Wine List?
The Wine List is a subscription box for anybody who wants to increase their knowledge. This is not the sort of subscription box that just sends through a big box of wine at a bit of a discount. Instead, they focus on people who really want to learn about wine. Each month, customers receive two carefully selected bottles of wine, each retailing at between £15 and £20. The Wine List pick lesser-known regions, grapes and winemakers to help customers expand their knowledge.
Along with the wine itself, customers receive the Wine Roots tasting guide. This is a twelve lesson programme that is sent out once a month. The guide explains key principles from tasting to wine making. Also in the box is an interactive tasting card for each wine. Customers also have access to The Wine List community with lots of tasting notes and monthly videos.
The Wine List subscription price for all this is £39 per month. It is great to enjoy each box with friends or family as an affordable alternative to a night out. Many of us wish we knew more about wine but don’t fancy the formality of a wine tasting course. Instead, The Wine List allows people to build up their knowledge gradually and learn about tasting, wine making and the components of the flavours they enjoy.
What we thought of The Wine List
My husband and I have been trying out the first Wine List subscription box. It contained one bottle each of red and white. We both prefer to drink red, but were pleasantly surprised by the white, a Spanish wine called Bico da Ran. In fact, if I was asked to pick a bottle of white again, I would go for the same one or one with similar properties. The Wine List describe it as, “fresh as they come, with lemon sherbert and fennel on the nose”. I would agree that it is incredibly fresh and very drinkable.
The information sheet suggests a food pairing for each wine, some advanced learning, a story of the wine maker and information about the grape and region. There’s even some related trivia. On the other side is a tasting note section to fill in. It guides you through the characteristics and aroma profile and has space for some of your own notes. Both wines we tried were paired with meats or fish so as a vegetarian, I couldn’t try them with the suggested food. However, that was where the Wine Roots tasting guide came into its own.
This introductory guide led us through how to taste wine. Starting with look, then smell and finally taste. However, there is also a fourth element to it, namely ‘think’. It mentioned pairing a wine to the situation. For us, we wanted to savour every sip. It has been a long time since we’ve been out, so this was a real treat. We waited until the children had gone to bed to open a bottle and enjoyed the red with some dark chocolate. The red was a Spanish wine called Casa Castillo Monastrell. Whilst I did enjoy this, it was really interesting to read in the tasting guide that it is fresh and vibrant, far from a ‘heavy Rioja’. As a Rioja lover, I wasn’t surprised that this Casa Castillo was a little too light for me.
Win an introduction to wine tasting
If you would like to try out The Wine List, you can win their first box, an introduction to wine tasting. This includes your first two wines worth £16 each, interactive tasting cards and the Wine Roots guide. The prize will be provided and sent by The Wine List. Please read my competition terms and conditions before entering via the Rafflecopter below.
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It’s great trying out different tastes and falvours.
Learning about the wines i’m drinking,instead of just drinking a bottle x
Enjoying the different wines
Their rose special would suit me!
The tasting cards to jog my memory
learning about the different wines
I would love to try this wine!
I would love to learn about all the different wines.
Learning about different wines.
The tasting cards look like they’d be full of ideas on cocktails and bringing new flavours to our palates xx
The Ciabot Berton Fisetta because I’ve never had the pleasure of a Barbera before.
Trying new wines and learning about them!
learning about the wines rather than just necking them lol x
I think it would be interesting to see if my pallette is as “sophiscated” as I think when it comes to wine. To see if what I am tasting is what is within the notes. Also the variety may push us to try something we wouldn’t normally pick.
I would really love learning about different wines!
I think it would be have to learn about the wines and not just drinking them
Enjoying the different wines
I’ve only recently started drinking since I’ve been working in the school…. Not like that! Working there, there are lots of staff that enjoy drinking and going out for a glass of wine so I’ve been socialising more and trying different drinks. I would like to enjoy learning a out wines rather than just drinking them.
Learning a lot wines and trying different types
I would enjoy trying the more exclusive wines that you cannot get in the Supermarkets.
I’d love learning about and trying wines that I wouldn’t have normally come across on my own.
Learning about new wines
learning about the different wines, love tryign new wines!
I love trying new wines, pairing with food
Discovering and learning about wine 🙂
Sampling all the different wines
I love drinking wine but I don’t know much about them. Would love to learn more about wine and taste new ones!
I would love trying different wines and sharing with a friend
I would love to know how different wines are made – wonderful.
I like the sound of an explanation of each wine and how to enjoy it to the full!
I love wine but I don’t know much about it. I like that not only do you get wine, you get to learn about it .
Trying different wines I wouldn’t usually choose!
I would love to learn about different wines. Thanks for the competition.
I always worry about choosing a naff wine to give to my hosts when I am invited for a meal. It would be good to know how to choose the best wine at my price point.
I would love the opportunity to be guided through some great new wines rather than sticking to tried and tested supermarket favourites
Learning about different wines. I always go for the same, as I know it.
I want to rediscover new world wines . I went through a stage of loving them , but then the big brands took over and ruined my enjoyment .
discovering new wine tastes
Would love to taste different wines
Trying the different varieties of wine would be the best thing about the Wine List
It would be lovely to learn how to appreciate wine more, and in the privacy of my own home
I like to try out and learn about new wines. Thanks for the competition.
I’d like to find out about different grapes and regions as well as trying new wines of course!
I’d love to learn more about wine and I like the fact this encourages it.
The tasting cards to help me along the way
Tasting cards seem a great idea!
I think I would enjoy the tasting cards.
The tasting cards look helpful for a novice. I would enjoy the tasting too!!