WSJwine (Wall Street Journal Wine) Review: Discovery or Premium Club?

Choosing a wine club can feel like a daunting decision to make. There are many wine clubs out there, all offering various packages, each with its benefits.

And so...

It's best to start in one place in situations like this and work your way from there. So, to help out, I've written this Wall Street Journal Wine Club review for you.

It's an objective and broad insight into the requirements and privileges of becoming a member - the types of memberships, the club's advantages and disadvantages, and other useful information to help you feel safe about making a decision.

A Quick Overview

The WSJwine club is managed by Direct Wines, Inc. and operates independently of The Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones. Direct Wines is a big wine merchant with a presence in several countries.

It offers a variety of local and international wines at affordable prices.

The club is famous for its low-priced introductory case. That isn't the regular price, though. It's just to attract new members.

If you become a customer, they'll send club cases on a regular schedule at the regular case price, and they allow their members to choose between red, white, or a mix, to be included in the box.

Their wine selection includes a range of award-winning local and international wines.

Another feature of the WSJwine club is its 100% money-back guarantee. So if for any reason you're not satisfied with any wine, they promise your full money back.

Members are also allowed to cancel their subscription at any time, not till the end of a particular period. So if you join the club, and find it's not right for you, you can leave whenever you like.

If you decide to join then, you can become a subscriber in a few simple steps:

• Create an account and log in
• Choose a club case of reds, whites, or a mix
• Set your wine preferences so future cases match your taste
• Check out.

All that's left is for you to wait for WSJ wine to get your sweet, sweet order to you.

Who Is The Club For?

The WSJwine club is known for its affordability and assortment of wines. So if you want to enjoy a good bottle of local or international wine – red, white, or mixed – at home, then WSJwine is a fine choice.

Membership Options

Value Of Their Options

Members can choose between the Discovery Club and the Premier Club, depending on their needs and resources.

The Discovery Club is better suited for individuals who are just starting and want to learn more about wines. Subscribers pay the regular case price after the discounted first box.

Cases typically include tasting notes, which give members information on the wines inside them.

Members are entirely free to cancel their subscriptions at any time with zero fees.

Welcome offers have included bonus bottles and a pair of stemless wine glasses, so check the current offer.

The Premier Club, on the other hand, costs more per case and focuses on higher-end wines. The wines in this plan are high quality, luxurious, handpicked wines.

Wine Variety

The WSJwine club has a nice variety of both local and international wines.

Though some customers have complained about some of their wines’ quality, the club has been known by many to provide quality wine from many regions of the world, making wines available for members that they couldn’t easily get by themselves.

A catalog is available to help with the wine selection. If you're a member, you can choose between white, red, champagne, sparkling, dessert, and fine wine, whichever one tingles your taste buds. You can also pick a mix of reds and whites if you fancy.

If in doubt of which wines to choose, you could use WSJ wine reviews and expert advisors also available on the site. Another tip to help with your wine selection is to select wines based on region and award-winning producers instead of just the brands.

Shipping

Shipping usually adds a flat charge per case, unless you pay for the yearly Advantage membership, which covers delivery on all orders. Items are typically delivered within a few days and require someone 21 years and above to sign for the delivery.

Cancellation And Refunds

Becoming a member of the WSJwine club does not require the payment of a membership fee.

The money paid is the cost of the wines plus shipping and taxes where applicable.

Because of this, canceling your membership, if you join, does not include any form of forfeiture or even any form of a cancellation fee.

To cancel a WSJwine subscription, go to Wine Club Settings in your account and scroll to the bottom, or contact them by phone, email, or live chat.

You can preview your upcoming case in your account before it ships, so you have time to skip or cancel. The club also promises a 100% money-back guarantee on products members are dissatisfied with.

Other Benefits

Aside from the specific benefits mentioned above that you get as a subscriber, club members get access to member-only offers on later orders.

Another cool benefit is the ability to preview your upcoming case and switch between reds, whites, or a mix. Members can also skip or delay any delivery.

Though the introductory case is not usually personalized, members can choose between getting white, red, or mixed.

The subsequent deliveries will get more personalized as members are encouraged to rank the wines they got on their profile online.

Alternatives To WSJwine Club You Can Consider

Some of the wine club space’s close competitors include The Plonk Wine Club, Firstleaf, and Winc.

WSJwine vs The Plonk Wine Club

The Plonk Wine Club has various award-winning wines just like WSJwine. As WSJwine is known for affordability and variety, The plonk is known for its biodynamic and organic wines.

Their wine plans range from small two-bottle shipments to larger mixed cases, and members can choose different shipping frequencies.

WSJwine vs Firstleaf

Firstleaf also has an introductory offer like WSJwine, but it starts with a smaller box of a few bottles rather than a full case.

It also allows customers to choose between receiving deliveries after a month, two months, or three months. Firstleaf also seems to spend considerably more on branding, advertisement, and packaging as shipments come in with sophisticated patterns printed on them.

WSJwine vs Winc

Winc wine subscriptions let members choose their own wines, unlike WSJ wine and most other wine clubs. Note that Winc filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in late 2022 and put its assets up for sale, so check what it offers now.

Both let members skip shipments, which comes in real handy when members still have excess unused bottles.

WSJwine - The Good And The Bad, IMO

Pros Of WSJwine Membership

• They offer a low-priced introductory offer.
• They make varieties of award-winning wines from various regions available to members at a great price.
• WSJ wine does not require a membership fee to become a member, and members can cancel their order at any time, even after just the first shipment.
• It is an excellent platform for wine enthusiasts as it provides wine education as part of the available offers.
• They provide a 100% money-back guarantee.

Cons Of WSJwine Membership

• There is a mix of positive and negative reviews given by customers on WSJwine's service.
• Club cases come on a set schedule, though you can skip or delay them.
• Free shipping requires the paid Advantage membership.
• Club cases are chosen for you based on your preferences, not bottle by bottle.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is WSJwine?

The WSJwine club is a wine club managed by Direct Wines, Inc., which runs it independently of The Wall Street Journal. Their primary focus is on affordability and making various award-winning wines from different regions of the world available to members at their doorsteps.

Is The WSJwine Club Good For Me?

Yes. If you are looking for a wine club that provides a variety of award-winning wines from different regions and countries at relatively low prices, then WSJwine isn't a bad option.

How Do I Cancel My WSJwine Club Membership?

Go to Wine Club Settings in your account and scroll to the bottom of the page to cancel, or contact customer care by phone, email, or live chat before your next shipment.

My Final Thoughts

So, is WSJwine right for you?

It depends on what you are looking for. In my opinion, WSJwine is especially lovely for wine enthusiasts because of the variety they provide. If you're into treating your taste buds to a wide assortment of flavors, this could be a good club for you.

You could give them a trial with the introductory case, and since there are no membership fees, you could cancel if not satisfied with the services.

If any of that suits your fancy, then consider clicking here to check them out.

Sources

• WSJ Wine, WSJ Wine (Direct Wines, Inc.)
• Wine Clubs FAQ, WSJ Wine
• Online wine subscription club Winc files for bankruptcy, Decanter