The Wine-Tasting Gift Box That Makes Me (Almost) Feel Like a Sommelier

I consider myself pretty good at giving gifts, so I’m always keeping an eye out for fun and thoughtful products that would make awesome presents someday. Mail-order gift boxes always seem like a good idea, but finding the right one takes me a lot of time and effort — until recently, that is. My feelings on boxed gift sets have completely changed since I received a Wines-by-the-Glass Vinebox by Sugarwish. This box dedicated to wine tasting has shown me that gift sets can truly be an experience.

Vinebox makes it super easy to select your varietals, even if (like me) you’re not exactly well versed in wine. When I was notified I’d received one, I had the opportunity to pick from a range of wines spanning light to bold. There are a lot of options, but the website makes it simple to choose based on your flavor preferences — which is fantastic for me because I couldn’t tell you the name of a specific wine I like, but I know I prefer something fruity and sweet. You can also see where the wine originated, giving you the chance to curate an entire box of wines from France, Spain, or Italy, or go for a European tasting tour!

I wanted to try a wide variety of options, so I picked light, medium, and bold white wines, one rosé, one medium red, and a bold red. According to Vinebox, only one percent of the wines they taste “make the cut,” so I had high expectations that I’d get to try some amazing flavors. And since each wine comes in a tube that holds the equivalent of less than a full glass, I liked knowing that I wouldn’t waste an entire bottle (or more) if I didn’t like any of the ones I chose.

My Vinebox arrived fairly quickly, and I was immediately impressed with the packaging. The six-variety X-Large is a sleek white box with black stripes that has a cushioned interior designed to hold each cylindrical tube safely. The first thing I did when I opened it was show it off to my family. The name of the wine is stylistically printed onto each tube, telling you where the wine is from, its year, type, and more, so it’s even more fun to try each one out. Even though I didn’t like a couple of them, in my opinion it’s just as important to know what I don’t care for so that I don’t make that mistake again — and the wines I did like I will definitely be buying again. In fact, I enjoyed the experience so much that I even ended up gifting a box to my mom (she’s the resident wine connoisseur of her household).

I may not know a ton about wine, but I know what I like, and that’s why I love Vinebox. I got to meet some new flavors and brands I hadn’t considered before, so the next time I’m out shopping for a new bottle, I can actually make an informed decision. But the best part? You don’t have to be in the hills of Tuscany or Napa to try superior wines, because Vinebox brings the tasting experience right to your door.

Buy: Vinebox, X-Large, $78