Monthly Clubs Review 2023: Best for Gifting?

Overview

Delving into the world of wines can seem daunting due to its vast variety. If you're seeking a simple yet enriching way to explore new options, consider The International Wine of the Month Club from Monthly Clubs. This subscription service makes a thoughtful gift, as it caters to both novices and connoisseurs alike, offering a doorway to explore global wines.

I've done all the research and found it offers exclusive wines not available in stores. If you’re anything like me, you have a favorite and won’t try anything different in case you aren’t a fan. Monthly Clubs take the stress away by selecting approachable wines. I’ve studied its wine selection process, subscription options, and more so you know exactly what to expect. 

Monthly Clubs offers a unique selection of global wines with an educational approach. Catering to various preferences and budgets, it offers an inclusive experience for all wine lovers. Read on to learn how this club can elevate your wine exploration journey and introduce you to potential new favorite wines from around the globe.

Monthly Clubs’ Selection

The International Wine of the Month Club stands out for its selection of wines. It offers an impressive variety encompassing reds and whites. While it represents a solid section of the wine market, you won’t find any sparkling or rose bottles here. If a summery rosé is more your go-to, I’d check out Firstleaf instead. 

There’s a wide range of varietals with Monthly Clubs. When I last checked, there were 34 different varietals from merlot to pinot grigio and everything in between. This means as a subscriber you have an opportunity to experience wines that may be entirely new to you.

It's noteworthy that the selection is not limited to popular, well-known brands. The company curates a mix of recognized and niche brands, each carefully chosen for quality and taste. The wine selection spans a wide price spectrum, ranging from everyday wines to high-end choices for special occasions.

The variety on offer is dynamic, with changes occurring frequently. This is a major strength compared to other vendors that offer a static selection, as you can try new wines and help broaden your palate. However, if you prefer to customize your own selection, Naked Wines gives you much more flexibility, especially if you know exactly what you like.

The company sources wines from across the globe, not restricting itself to specific regions, which further adds to its variety. Each winery is visited independently and tested rigorously by an extensive selection process to make it on the list.

The club works with a mix of exclusive growers and independent wineries. The head of selection, Don Lahey, is responsible for locating highly respected wineries from around the world. This means you’ll find international wines that aren’t generally imported into the US.

As for customization, the company allows for some degree of personalization. Although subscribers do not directly choose their wines, the club caters to individual preferences like choosing all reds, all whites, or a mix.

Each wine comes with detailed tasting notes and food pairing suggestions. Unlike many services, it allows prospective members to view the wine on offer without having to sign up first. In fact, you can view all the past wines that have ever been featured on its database.

The International Wine of the Month Club from Monthly Clubs has created a unique model. It balances variety and quality, and you can choose from 4 different wine club subscriptions. You can also reorder your favorites at discounted prices, so you don’t miss out.

How Monthly Clubs Works

You can buy wines from the shop by the bottle or case as a 1-time purchase. You can filter the options by color, grape varietals, the club it featured in, country, and price. You won’t find any wine profile questionnaires here, it's simple, straightforward, and pretty much like ordering anything online.

You can simply input your address and payment details as a regular online purchase. Alternatively, you have the option to enter your email and create an account, so you can save your details for future orders. You can pay with a credit card or a Monthly Clubs gift card. 

How to Sign Up

1. First decide which of the 4 clubs you’d like to join. Remember these can be given as a gift to a friend or yourself.

2. Customize your shipment by choosing 2 bottles of red, 2 bottles of white, or 1 of each. 

3. Edit your shipping options. You can choose an ongoing subscription, or for a set period of between 2 and 12 shipments.

4. Check your shipment details are correct and make any changes if necessary.

5. Enter your delivery address (or your recipient’s) and provide credit payment details to complete your order.

Unboxing

The International Wine of the Month Club places an emphasis on secure packaging. Each shipment is designed to protect the enclosed bottles from damage. The packaging is simple and functional, ensuring the bottles are well-secured.

In the box, along with the wines, you'll find an informational booklet. This includes details about each wine, providing some context and guidance for the tasting experience. You’ll also be able to learn about the winery. However, don't expect any additional freebies or surprises beyond the wines and the booklet.

It's worth noting that the packaging is fully recyclable. This is in line with the company's commitment to environmental responsibility. In fact, most of its operations are reportedly powered by solar energy.

Top Monthly Clubs Wines

The website makes it manageable to go through its wine menu with well-organized filters and categories. With these tools, I could sort the wines by type, country of origin, and flavor profile, which was quite helpful.

As a novice, I was mainly picking based on flavor descriptions that caught my eye. It's worth noting that this information wasn't just about the taste but also included pairing suggestions and some background on the vineyards.

Graffito Mendoza Riesling 2022

According to Monthly Clubs, Riesling is among the world’s greatest grape varieties. The US has been subject to cheap, sugary versions that bear no resemblance to this dry, fresh, and fruity Argentinian white. Best paired with seafood or spicy dishes, this can also be enjoyed on its own as an aperitif.

Mendel Lujan de Cuyo Mendoza Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

This red wine caught my eye as an affordable Argentinian cabernet sauvignon. It is described as bold yet balanced with the aromas of dark chocolate and blackberry. It sounds like the perfect wine to pair with a meaty dish, like roast beef or lamb, to complement the juicy flavors of the wine. 

Capezzana Villa di Capezzana Carmignano 2018

This bottle of Italian wine is actually a mix of 2 different varietals, the sangiovese and the cabernet sauvignon. It is featured in the Bold Reds Wine Club and can be enjoyed now or over the next 8 to 10 years if you can wait that long. Food pairing ideas suggest you can serve with wild boar. If you’re all out of wild boar, try a bean and lentil dish instead.

Shipping & Delivery

Your first wine club order will be shipped within a few days. Following orders are shipped on the 3rd or 4th week of the month via FedEx. Wine cannot be shipped to some states. These are Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, and Utah. You can also combine your wine club with any of the other monthly clubs such as cigars, and flowers.

Deliveries must be accepted by a person over the age of 21 and ID is required. If you, or your recipient isn’t home you can arrange for delivery to a workplace or alternative address. There’s no app available, but you can update any delivery details on your account page or by contacting customer services.

Customer Support

You can contact Monthly Clubs by phone on 800-625-8238, live chat, or email. Customer service hours are between 7 am and 4 pm Pacific. Unfortunately, you can’t reach customer support during weekends. 

At first I was impressed that the Support Agent replied instantly. Unfortunately, I was then left hanging for half an hour before the chat was “ended due to inactivity.” My questions remained unanswered… 

Not to be defeated, I sent an email using the online contact form. I asked about the meaning of the term “boutique” in relation to wine and what’s the best way to decide which wine club to choose. I had a response later in the day but I wasn’t happy with it. 

So think carefully about what you want to know before you reach out. Apparently, you’re only allowed to ask about very specific things. 

Basic FAQs are available covering your account, membership, and shipping. You won’t find any in-depth answers, though. There’s a blog but it isn’t updated very regularly. However, I did like the extensive A to Z glossary of wine-related terms. As a wine novice, I can now refer to my wine as weighty, woody, or weedy instead of simply “white.” 

How to Cancel Monthly Clubs

With Monthly Clubs, you can set up an ongoing monthly wine subscription. You can also choose how long your subscription lasts. You have the option of 2 to 12 shipments which you prepay for. 

If you want to cancel your ongoing subscription you need to contact customer services. You can call or complete a membership cancelation form on the website. You will be asked to provide a reason for cancelation but this isn’t mandatory.

Prices

You can choose from 4 different wine clubs with The International Wine of the Month Club. These are:

• The Premier Series Wine Club – $41.94 per month

• The Bold Reds Wine Club – $54.95 per month

• The Masters Series Wine Club – $54.95 per month

• The Collectors Series Wine Club – $77.95 per month

Shipping for every order is $15, even if you order a bottle of 1 of your favorites from the store. In the store, you can find bottles from previous wine clubs ranging between $16 per bottle to $39.95 per bottle.

The more bottles you order, the more money you can save. The cost is reduced by 7% for 4 bottles, 12% for purchasing 6, and 15% if you buy 12 bottles or more. Remember that you can also use our discount code for a wine subscription: Summer Flash Sale! - Save up to $30.

Monthly Clubs operate a 100% satisfaction guarantee. This means that if you aren’t happy with the taste of your wines, it will replace or refund your bottle. Just contact customer services to arrange this. 

Gift Subscription

You can gift any of the wines from the shop or send 1 of the 4 wine club subscriptions. During checkout, you can add a “Gift Announcement” to write a personal message. There’s also the option to print a pdf, so you can give it to them directly before their gift arrives. 

What’s unique about Monthly Clubs is that you can combine the clubs for bigger gifts. As well as wine, you can choose from cheese, beer, chocolate, cigars, or flowers. There’s also the option to design your own club and send gifts at different months of the year to suit special occasions. 

The Bottom Line: Is Monthly Clubs Worth It?

The Monthly Clubs wine club can be rewarding for certain types of wine drinkers. It's particularly useful for those who prefer to have expertly chosen wines delivered to their door without having to navigate the sometimes overwhelming world of wine selection themselves. 

It's a fantastic gifting option as it offers a thoughtfully curated experience for your recipient. However, if you enjoy selecting your own wine and value a personalized service, you may find Firstleaf more suitable.  It gives you more control over your wine selections based on your personal taste preferences.

FAQ

What is the International Wine of the Month Club?

The International Wine of the Month Club is a subscription service from Monthly Clubs. It offers a wide variety of wines from around the globe. It curates a selection of red, white wine and provides detailed tasting notes and food pairing suggestions with each shipment. This club allows you to experience wines that you may not typically find in local stores.

Is The International Wine of the Month Club a good gift option?

Yes, The International Wine of the Month Club can be an excellent gift option. It's particularly suitable for those who enjoy exploring different wines but may not have the time or knowledge to select them independently. Each shipment comes with detailed tasting notes and food pairing suggestions, making it a thoughtful and convenient gift for wine lovers.

How does Monthly Clubs compare to other wine subscription services like Firstleaf?

The International Wine of the Month Club differs in its approach to customization. While Firstleaf provides a more personalized experience, allowing users to select wines based on their taste preferences, The International Wine of the Month Club focuses on delivering a curated selection of wines from around the globe.