Wine Not?

Wine is something I really enjoy. It’s also one of the few things I really missed while pregnant (the other was Sushi). [The night she had her second child I literally walked into the hospital room to find her eating sushi in bed…my niece no where to be found] So, each time I was reintroduced into wine society it was all the more special. The first time around we booked a Napa trip and then found out a week later we were pregnant. So, I was the official DD on that trip… boo. I insisted on signing up for various wine clubs since I couldn’t drink then, why not have them delivered to me so I can drink them once the baby is out? 

Second child and pregnancy… it’s like they say – you kinda can’t remember any of it, but I do remember my first drink after she was born and it was delish, Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon. Wine is my first choice (followed closely by tequila), preferably a red or rosé, but on a hot summer day I won’t say no to a crisp, fruity, glass of Sauvignon Blanc. 

Now to the reality – it’s not cheap if you’re buying cases or many bottles at a time but there is no judgement if you are [maybe a little jealousy, though]. Despite what you may think, there are some great budget friendly wines out there and easy ways to find them. On the other hand, if you’re into a $100 bottle of wine on a Wednesday, more power to you.

DIY Wine Selections

One of the beautiful things about NYC is that everything can be delivered, and I mean everything. Uber Eats, Drizly, Shipt, they all have delivery options for alcohol, specifically wine shops. If you’re looking for something quick, and you’re not too picky about what types of bottles you’re getting, these are great options. [literally all my alcohol comes from Drizly]

If you have the time and choose to go into a shop to buy your bottles there are some great apps to help you find what works for you, or the meal you’re pairing it with. Wine-searcher can help you narrow down the types of wine you are looking for and the price/locations for those wines. 

We’ve all done it; been out to dinner and love the wine you’re having. It’s easy to just snap a picture and the app will allow you to save it so you won’t forget to grab it the next time you’re in your local wine shop. [why have you not told me this – you have seen me take 3 million photos that just sit on my phone until I run out of iCloud storage…]

Sign me up!

Being at home with small children had me tempted to try wine clubs, and the way they would advertise to me really made it tempting. Fast forward to the pandemic and it was the birthplace of many more wine subscription companies. I mean it wasn’t easy getting your hands on anything here in NYC, wine and Lysol were on the list in our house as a constant for sanity. [you guys are independently responsible for the shortage, ya hoarders!]

I was always lured into trying these various subscription companies for the following reasons:

• They seemed a lot cheaper 
• Someone who knew what they were doing was picking the bottles for me based on the few questions they asked me upfront
• I never had to worry about running out of bottles… they would show up each month nicely packaged

A few subscription services I used, and recommend, are here for you to check out!

• Winc – as low as $39 per month for 3 bottles, great pricing but also great options.

• Thrive Market – organic wine is a thing, and I really do believe it doesn’t give you a morning headache. Check this out for some nice organic options!

• Bright Cellars – this is a quiz based service that tailors your bottles to your taste. If you don’t like something just let them know before the next month’s shipment and they will adjust the types of bottles they send you.

Which do you prefer, going into a store to find the right bottle of red or having someone do it for you? It is a personal choice, but if you like to leave it to a professional I recommend trying a subscription service. All of them let you cancel at any time, so it’s worth a shot… sorry, I mean worth a glass 😉 [oh wow, you’re so punny…dad will be proud]